Slow Cooked Beef Stew (Printable)
Tender beef with a medley of root vegetables slowly simmered for deep, comforting flavors.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes
→ Vegetables
02 - 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into ½-inch pieces
03 - 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 cup frozen peas (add at end)
→ Liquids
08 - 4 cups beef broth (gluten-free if required)
09 - 1 can diced tomatoes with juice (14 oz)
10 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
11 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
→ Spices & Seasonings
12 - 2 tsp salt, or to taste
13 - 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
14 - 1 tsp dried thyme
15 - 1 tsp dried rosemary
16 - 2 bay leaves
→ Thickeners
17 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
18 - 2 tbsp cold water
→ Optional
19 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
# How To Cook:
01 - Pat beef dry with paper towels and season with salt and black pepper.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown beef in batches, then transfer to slow cooker.
03 - Place carrots, potatoes, celery, onion, and garlic into slow cooker.
04 - Pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes with juice, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
05 - Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked.
06 - Thirty minutes before serving, mix cornstarch and cold water to create slurry. Stir into stew, add peas, cover and cook for 30 minutes to thicken.
07 - Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This stew has the kind of rich flavor that feels like a secret shared only between close friends.
- The tender beef combined with that medley of root vegetables quickly became a family favorite for any cool day.
02 -
- Brown the beef well to develop that deep flavor foundation that transforms this stew from good to unforgettable.
- Adding the cornstarch slurry last is what turns the broth into the luscious stew you’re craving without losing any brightness from the vegetables.
03 -
- Don’t rush browning the meat; it’s the foundation of flavor that carries through the whole stew.
- The secret to rich texture is slow cooking low and slow, allowing all those spices and ingredients to really mingle and soften.