Description
A hearty and comforting Slow Cooker Beef Stew featuring tender beef cubes simmered with vegetables and aromatic herbs in a savory broth. Perfect for a satisfying dinner with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Seasoning
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1½-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Liquids and Flavorings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Vegetables
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas (added at the end)
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Coat the Beef: In a large bowl, toss the beef cubes with flour, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated, creating a flavorful crust.
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, turning to sear all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. This step locks in flavors and enhances the stew’s richness.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the browned beef into the slow cooker bowl, setting the stage for slow simmering.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the beef broth, then stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, rosemary, and minced garlic. Mix well to distribute flavors evenly.
- Add Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, carrots, potatoes, and celery on top of the beef mixture in the slow cooker.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, allowing the beef to become tender and vegetables to soften beautifully.
- Add Peas and Final Seasoning: In the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the frozen peas. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve hot for a warming meal.
Notes
- For added depth of flavor, deglaze the skillet with a splash of red wine after browning the beef before adding liquids to the slow cooker.
- This stew naturally thickens as it simmers; for a thicker texture, mash some of the potatoes after cooking.
- Use gluten-free flour to make this recipe gluten-friendly.
