Crockpot Beef Stew: A Hearty Comfort Food Recipe
This Crockpot Beef Stew is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for chilly days. Tender beef chuck is slow-cooked with aromatic herbs, vegetables, and a rich beef broth to create a flavorful stew that’s deliciously satisfying. With the option to brown the beef for extra depth of flavor and a simple cornstarch thickening step, this recipe is easy to prepare and yields a warming meal ideal for family dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes (low) or 5 hours 20 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Comfort Food, Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Stew:
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, for browning)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1 cup potatoes, diced (Yukon gold or red potatoes work well)
- 1 cup celery, sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup frozen peas (added at the end)
For Thickening (Optional):
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor and help in browning if you choose to do so.
- Brown the Beef (Optional): Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef cubes in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned. This caramelization step adds richness to the stew but can be skipped to save time.
- Add Ingredients to the Crockpot: Place the browned or raw beef cubes into the crockpot. Add the carrots, potatoes, celery, onion, and garlic. Pour in the beef broth and stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Cook the Stew: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high heat for 4-6 hours, until the beef is tender and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Thicken the Stew (Optional): If you prefer a thicker consistency, combine cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Stir this into the stew about 30 minutes before it finishes cooking and allow it to thicken.
- Add Peas and Serve: Stir in frozen peas roughly 15 minutes before serving to heat through without losing their bright color. Ladle the stew into bowls and serve with crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Browning the beef is optional but recommended to deepen the flavor.
- The cornstarch slurry is optional and helps thicken the stew to your preferred consistency.
- The stew can be cooked on low or high, depending on your timing needs.
- Frozen peas are added at the end to retain their color and texture.
- This stew freezes well; cool completely before freezing in airtight containers.
Keywords: crockpot beef stew, slow cooker stew, hearty beef stew, comfort food recipe, easy beef stew
