Description
There’s nothing more comforting than coming home to the rich aroma of a slow-cooked meal, and this Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew delivers exactly that. Made with tender chunks of beef, hearty vegetables, and a deeply savory gravy, this recipe achieves “cooked all day” flavor with minimal hands-on effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or cozy family dinners, this slow cooker stew transforms simple ingredients into a warm, satisfying bowl of comfort.
Ingredients
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1 1/2-2 lbs beef chuck roast or stew meat, trimmed and cubed
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2 tbsp all-purpose flour
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2 tsp vegetable oil
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1 medium onion, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
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3 oz tomato paste
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1/2 lb red or Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
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2 carrots, peeled and sliced into medallions
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1/2 cup frozen peas
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2 tbsp soy sauce (low-sodium)
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1/2 tsp salt
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1/4 tsp black pepper
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1 bay leaf (optional)
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1/4 tsp dried thyme (optional)
Instructions
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Prepare the Ingredients
Trim excess fat from the beef and cut into uniform 1-inch cubes. Prepare the vegetables as directed. -
Sear the Beef
Toss beef with flour until lightly coated. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear beef in batches until browned on all sides. Transfer to the crock pot. -
Deglaze the Pan
Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, tomato paste, and beef broth to the skillet, scraping up browned bits. Cook until onions soften and mixture thickens slightly. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. -
Assemble the Stew
Pour the onion mixture over the beef in the slow cooker. Add potatoes, carrots, soy sauce, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and thyme. Stir to combine. -
Slow Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until beef is fork-tender. -
Add Peas & Finish
Stir in frozen peas during the last hour of cooking. Remove bay leaf before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
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Chuck roast works best for long, slow cooking due to its marbling.
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For thicker gravy, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes.
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A splash of vinegar or lemon juice before serving brightens the flavors.
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Leftovers taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner / Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1½ cups)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
