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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

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A rich and hearty slow cooker beef stew with tender beef and root vegetables, perfect for cozy nights and easy family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 3 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2–3 fresh thyme sprigs or 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 2 tablespoons cold water (for cornstarch slurry)

Instructions

  1. Chop the carrots, potatoes, celery, and onion into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic cloves. Cut the beef chuck roast into 1-inch cubes, trimming off excess fat. This step takes about 15 minutes.
  2. Toss the beef cubes in a bowl with 1/4 cup all-purpose flour until evenly coated.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden, about 10 minutes total.
  4. Transfer the browned beef cubes to the slow cooker.
  5. In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion, celery, and carrots for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  6. Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker. Add the cubed potatoes, 4 cups beef broth, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves. Stir gently to combine.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste (start with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper).
  8. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are soft but not mushy.
  9. About 15 minutes before serving, check the stew’s consistency. If too thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into the stew. Cook uncovered to thicken.
  10. Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Notes

Browning the beef before slow cooking adds significant flavor and improves texture. Use gluten-free flour to make the recipe gluten-free. Vegetables should be chopped uniformly for even cooking. Leftovers taste better after resting overnight. Can be made on stovetop or Instant Pot with adjusted cooking times.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, easy beef stew, hearty stew, comfort food, slow cooker recipe, beef chuck stew, cozy meal

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-stew-recipe-easy-hearty-comfort-meal/