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Ultimate Crockpot Beef Stew

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A hearty and comforting slow-cooked beef stew with tender beef chunks, fresh vegetables, and a rich, savory broth. Perfect for cozy dinners and easy to prepare with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 celery stalks, sliced
  • 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 large bay leaf
  • 1 cup frozen peas (optional, added near the end)

Instructions

  1. Pat beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper, then toss lightly in flour until coated. Chop onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Mince garlic and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per batch, turning to brown all sides. Transfer browned beef to crockpot.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and sauté onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant, scraping up browned bits. Transfer to crockpot.
  4. Add carrots, celery, potatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce to crockpot. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Sprinkle in thyme, rosemary, and add bay leaf. Stir gently and cover crockpot.
  6. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft but not mushy. Avoid lifting lid during cooking.
  7. About 15 minutes before serving, stir in frozen peas if using. Remove bay leaf before serving.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If stew is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into crockpot. Cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes to thicken.

Notes

Browning the beef before slow cooking adds significant flavor and depth. Cut vegetables into uniform 1-inch pieces for even cooking. Avoid lifting the crockpot lid during cooking to maintain heat. Add frozen peas near the end to preserve texture and color. Use cornstarch slurry to thicken stew if needed. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot beef stew, slow cooker beef stew, hearty beef stew, easy beef stew, comfort food, one-pot meal

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/ultimate-crockpot-beef-stew-recipe-easy-hearty-comforting-dinner-idea/