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Easy Hearty Dump and Go Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe for Perfect Comfort Meals

dump and go crockpot beef stew - featured image

A simple, comforting beef stew cooked slowly in a crockpot with red wine and fresh vegetables, perfect for busy weeknights and cozy meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast or stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 yellow onions, roughly chopped
  • 4 carrots, peeled and cut into thick slices
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch/almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef stew meat dry with paper towels. Toss with 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches until all sides are golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to the crockpot.
  3. Roughly chop onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Mince garlic cloves. Add all vegetables and garlic to the crockpot on top of the beef.
  4. Pour in 1 cup of dry red wine and 2 cups of beef broth. Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Add thyme and bay leaves. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
  6. About 30 minutes before the stew is done, taste and adjust salt and pepper. For thicker stew, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into the stew. Replace lid and cook for the final 30 minutes.
  7. Remove bay leaves and thyme stems. Ladle stew into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Browning the beef before slow cooking adds depth of flavor and better texture. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or almond flour. If red wine is unavailable, use beef broth with a splash of balsamic vinegar. Avoid opening the crockpot lid frequently to maintain cooking temperature. For thicker stew, add cornstarch slurry near the end of cooking.

Nutrition

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