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The Ultimate Easy Crockpot Beef Stew: Flavor-Packed & Tender Every Time

Close-up of a white bowl filled with rich, dark crockpot beef stew featuring tender beef chunks, carrots, and potatoes.
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Make this hearty, comforting beef and vegetable stew in your slow cooker. You get tender beef and a rich gravy with minimal effort, perfect for a satisfying family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup frozen peas (added at the end)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons cold water (for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season the beef with salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Sear the seasoned beef in batches until browned on all sides. You do not need to cook it through. This step builds deep flavor.
  3. Transfer the browned beef to your slow cooker.
  4. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes to the slow cooker over the beef.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Pour this mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Add the bay leaf.
  6. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3.5 to 4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaf. Stir in the frozen peas.
  8. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and cold water until smooth to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the stew. Cover and cook on HIGH for the remaining 20 to 30 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened to your liking.
  9. Serve this hearty beef stew hot.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, do not skip searing the beef first. This step creates a rich base for your gravy.
  • If you prefer a thicker stew, increase the cornstarch slurry amount slightly, adding it in small increments until the desired consistency is reached.
  • This recipe freezes well. Cool completely before storing in airtight containers.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://rosatasty.com/crockpot-beef-stew-easy-tender-recipe/