Ultimate Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe
This Ultimate Slow Cooker Beef Stew is a hearty and comforting dish made with tender chunks of chuck roast, fresh vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth. Slow-cooked to perfection, it combines savory beef, carrots, potatoes, and aromatic herbs for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Stew
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Seasoning
- 3 pounds boneless chuck roast
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
- 4 Yukon potatoes, cut into 2-inch chunks
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Flavorings
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Thickening Agent
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
Instructions
- Preheat and season beef: Preheat a large skillet or the slow cooker insert on high heat. Season the chuck roast with half of the Kosher salt and all of the black pepper.
- Brown the beef: Place the beef in the hot skillet and brown on each side for 4-6 minutes until deeply browned. This step locks in flavor and adds richness to the stew.
- Sauté onions: Remove beef from the skillet and add chopped onions. Cook for 3 minutes, stir, then cook for an additional 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Prepare slow cooker: Cut the browned beef into 2-3 inch chunks and place them into the slow cooker.
- Add vegetables and seasonings: To the slow cooker, add the sautéed onions, carrots, potatoes, beef broth, remaining salt, tomato paste, bay leaf, thyme, minced garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir all ingredients to combine well.
- Slow cook the stew: Cover and cook on low for 7 hours, allowing the beef to become tender and the flavors to meld.
- Thicken the stew: In a small bowl, mix the unsalted butter and flour to create a beurre manié (butter-flour paste). Stir this mixture into the slow cooker.
- Final cook: Cook for an additional hour on low or until the stew thickens to your desired consistency. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can deglaze the skillet after browning the beef by adding a splash of beef broth or red wine and scraping the bottom to release browned bits.
- Feel free to add other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for variety.
- Adjust seasoning at the end to taste, adding more salt or pepper as needed.
- This stew tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded further.
- Serve with crusty bread or over buttered egg noodles for a satisfying meal.
Keywords: beef stew, slow cooker recipe, comfort food, chuck roast stew, hearty dinner, slow cooked beef
Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/ultimate-slow-cooker-beef-stew-recipe/
