Description
This Crock Pot Beef Stew is a hearty and comforting dish made with tender beef cubes, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs slow-cooked to perfection. Perfect for a satisfying family meal, this stew develops rich flavors over several hours in the slow cooker, creating a deliciously warming experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Broth
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cups beef broth
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
Vegetables
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
Optional Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for browning beef)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef (Optional): In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef cubes on all sides until browned. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding. This step enhances the flavor but can be skipped to save time.
- Transfer Ingredients to Crock Pot: Place the browned beef into the crock pot. Add the sliced carrots, diced potatoes, sliced celery, chopped onion, and minced garlic to the slow cooker.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Stir in 4 cups of beef broth, 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, and 2 bay leaves. Mix everything well to combine flavors.
- Slow Cook the Stew: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. The beef should become tender, and the vegetables fully cooked through by the end of cooking.
- Thicken the Stew (Optional): If a thicker consistency is desired, mix 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water to form a slurry and stir it into the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This will help thicken the broth.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaves before serving. Serve the stew hot, enjoying the comforting flavors and hearty texture.
Notes
- For added richness and depth of flavor, substitute 1 cup of the beef broth with red wine.
- Browning the beef before slow cooking adds extra flavor but can be skipped to save preparation time.
- This stew tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded together.
