Description
A hearty and comforting slow cooker beef stew made with tender beef chuck, fresh vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth enhanced by red wine and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a cozy meal, this classic recipe allows you to set it and forget it while developing deep, savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Flour
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into cubes
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 medium carrots, chopped
- 3 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 2 bay leaves
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 cup red wine (optional)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
Instructions
- Prepare the beef: Pat the beef cubes dry with a paper towel and toss them in a bowl with flour, salt, and black pepper to coat evenly, which helps thicken the stew and seasons the meat.
- Sear the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per batch, then transfer the browned beef cubes to the slow cooker, locking in flavor.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onions for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release their aromas. Transfer this mixture to the slow cooker over the beef.
- Add vegetables and bay leaves: Add chopped carrots, diced potatoes, sliced celery, and bay leaves into the slow cooker, layering them with the meat and aromatics for balanced cooking.
- Mix liquids and seasonings: In a separate bowl, whisk together beef broth, optional red wine, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and dried rosemary until smooth. Pour this flavorful liquid mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Cook the stew: Cover the slow cooker and set to LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to retain heat and moisture crucial for tender meat and infused flavors.
- Finish and serve: Once cooking is complete, remove the bay leaves, stir the stew well, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, ideally with crusty bread or mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Using red wine is optional but highly recommended for deeper flavor complexity.
- You can substitute beef chuck with other stewing cuts like brisket or round roast.
- For thicker stew, remove the lid in the last 30 minutes to reduce the liquid.
- Vegetables can be varied based on season and preference, such as parsnips or turnips.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors continue to meld.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 8 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: beef stew, slow cooker beef stew, comfort food, hearty stew, easy beef stew, crockpot recipe
