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Slow Cooker Homemade Beef Stew

Homemade crock pot beef stew is an easy slow cooker recipe made with tender meat, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes and celery. A comforting dish for a cold day!

Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword beef stew in crock pot, beef stew recipe for crock pot, best beef stew recipe, best slow cooker beef stew recipe ever, easy beef stew recipe, easy beef stew recipe crock pot, easy slow cooker recipes, slow cook beef stew recipe, slow cooker beef stew
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 338 kcal

Ingredients

For the Beef:

  • 1-1/2 - 2 pounds beef chuck roast preferred or beef stew meat trimmed and cut into 1 - 2 inch chunks
  • 1/3 cup flour use gluten free flour or arrowroot starch if needed
  • 1-2 teaspoons sea salt to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

For the Stew:

  • cooking oil
  • 1 medium onion cut into large chunks
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 6 Tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar or red wine
  • 3-4 medium Russet potatoes peeled and chopped into 1 inch chunks (or can use about 10 small baby potatoes with skin on - cut in half)
  • 1 large sweet potato peeled and chopped into 1 inch chunks (leave out if desired)
  • 3 medium carrots peeled and cut into slices
  • 2 ribs celery chopped
  • 1-2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4-5 cups beef broth homemade or low sodium
  • 1 star anise optional but adds SO much depth and flavor
  • water as needed to cover the vegetables
  • 1-2 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley for garnish
  • more salt and pepper to taste

To thicken the stew make a slurry (optional):

  • 2 Tablespoons flour (all-purpose, gluten-free, or arrowroot starch) + 3 tablespoons cool water

Instructions

  1. For the beef In a large zip-top bag, combine flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Add beef and shake until well coated.
  2. Browning the meat: (feel free to skip to step 5 and add all the ingredients to the slow cooker instead)
  3. In a large skillet on medium high heat, add cooking oil and brown the meat on all sides. Meat will not be cooked through. (Be sure not to crowd the skillet - you may have to work in batches). Transfer browned meat into a large 6-quart slow cooker.
  4. Put the uncleaned skillet back on the stove and add onions and garlic. Saute for a minute or two then add the balsamic vinegar and tomato paste until just hot enough to deglaze the pan, about 1 minute. Pour into slow cooker over the beef.
  5. Add the potatoes, sweet potato, carrots, celery, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, beef broth, (star anise if using) and stir to combine. If there is not enough liquid to cover the vegetables, add water - only as much as needed.
  6. Cook on low for 5 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours (stir about halfway through), until potatoes are tender and meat is cooked through. (Times may vary depending on how hot your slow cooker runs - check and cook longer or shorter if necessary)
  7. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper if necessary (discard star anise if used). Serve hot with fresh parsley.
  8. Optional: To thicken stew: Make a slurry by whisking 2 tablespoons of flour (all purpose, cornstarch, gluten-free flour or arrowroot powder) with 3 tablespoons of cool water. 20-30 minutes before serving, stir the slurry into the slow cooker, set to HIGH. Stew should thicken within 20-30 minutes. If it does not thicken, your slow cooker may not be hot enough so you will have to transfer to a large pot and heat on the stove if you want to thicken the stew. However, the stew will thicken up on its own overnight in the fridge even without the cornstarch slurry - the slurry is just a solution for immediate results.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Let cool, then store in refrigerator overnight or until ready to serve. This stew improves in flavor if made at least 1 day ahead.

Nutrition Facts
Slow Cooker Homemade Beef Stew
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 338 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Cholesterol 60mg20%
Sodium 939mg39%
Potassium 946mg27%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 4g16%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 19g38%
Vitamin A 6405IU128%
Vitamin C 15.8mg19%
Calcium 82mg8%
Iron 5.6mg31%
* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.