Homestyle Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe (2024)

As soon as the first bit of cool air starts showing up in the weather forecast, I start pulling out the stew, soup, and chili recipes. Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats the smell of slow cooker beef stew simmering all day as I work. Tender chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and a rich gravy combine to create the ultimate in comfort food meals. Serve this simple stew recipe to your meat and potato fans and savor the praise they will show you. Trust me when I say, this is the ultimate easy but delicious meal for fall and winter!

Homestyle Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

Here in Michigan, the cold weather starts early and lasts longer, so many days begin with me preparing something like this to go into the slow cooker. Sure, I love standing at the stove preparing a meal for my family, and it's widely known I adore using my Dutch oven for things like this. But, I have to admit that when you work from home and are homeschooling, the slow cooker becomes a beloved friend.

Beef itself provides a ton of flavor, but the added aromatics in this recipe really bring out a richness that builds flavors. This is, the stew that is far different than those canned soups you find at the grocery store. It's delightful in it's simplicity, but astounding in it's complex flavors. You will find yourself adding this to the menu regularly to the praise of everyone at your table.

What Cut of Beef Do I Use for Stew?

Hands down, I will tell you to reach for a cut of chuck roast for this stew. I have tried a large variety of beef in my life, and while there are other options like top round that are common, ultimately chuck is the way to go. It is well marbled, but not too fatty. So, it provides plenty of flavor for you to build upon with herbs and broth.

Avoid using leaner cuts of beef as they will be harder to tenderize. Additionally, never use a higher quality beef like ribeye or filet in a stew. The slower cooking time will actually make these tougher rather than tenderize. Save those for that nicely grilled medium-rare steak instead.

What Vegetables Go Into Beef Stew?

Generically speaking, every beef stew will have a combination of carrots, potatoes, garlic, and onions at the very least. Many families add other vegetables, and that is totally up to the individual and what is available. Below are some other options that fit the stew flavors well that are common and easily added to this recipe if you desire.

• Green peas
• Mushrooms
• Turnips
• Radishes
• Rutabaga
• Celery

Another unique option is this Instant Pot beef and squash stew recipe. It shows how you can use a little bit different vegetable to create a new flavor that pairs well with the classic.

How Do You Fix a Bland Stew?

Ultimately, salt is one of the most important additions to any stew for flavor. However, there is a fine line between just right and too salty, so rather than adding additional salt, look to richness from other ingredients.

This recipe is far from bland, but should you feel the need to add more flavor for any reason, consider small increments of included herbs and spices. Some items I also like to add to build more flavor are soy sauce, additional Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, roasted garlic, unsalted butter, and sauteed mushrooms. These are all great for extra flavor in a stew.

Fresh herbs are also excellent additions. While I stick with rosemary and bay leaves in this recipe, I also keep other options on hand most times. In my kitchen you will always find some fresh parsley and cilantro, and while they aren't traditional to stew, they can both add unique flavor. More traditional herbs would be thyme or sage for this, and both dried and fresh can impart additional flavor if desired. Of course, a pinch of cayenne or a few red pepper flakes is also a great flavor booster for those who like a hint of heat in the background.

Note: Another common addition to beef recipes, and especially soups is a nice dry red wine. Substitute 1 cup of the liquid for wine for a richer flavor that really complements the beef nicely.

How do You Make Beef Stew Meat Tender?

There are two important factors in making beef stew meat tender. The first is all about the cut of beef used. As mentioned above, chuck meat is the best for this slower cooking time. The second factor is, of course, the cooking process. Slow and low result in the tender pieces of meat you want.

That is why a slow cooker stew is often favored over stove top versions. The ability to control both the temperature and cook time easily makes it a go-to cooking method. When in doubt, slow and low is going to be the solution for tender cuts of beef in any soup or stew.

What Goes with Beef Stew?

Since this recipe has all of the meat, starch, and vegetables in one bowl, you don't have to worry about side dishes. I do, however, like to serve with a side salad from time to time to get extra greens in my menu for the day.

Otherwise, a good crusty French bread, toasted potato bread, this rosemary & sea salt olive oil biscuit, garlic pull apart bread, or cornbread are all excellent choices to make alongside the beef stew. If you are tight for time and don't have those on hand, you can also serve with just a few oyster crackers, or simply, nothing at all!

Can I Make This in My Instant Pot?

Yes. If you want to save time on this recipe, you can make it in the Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker. Simply follow the directions up to the part where you cover and cook for several hours in the slow cooker. In fact, you can use the saute feature on your Instant Pot and do the first several steps right in the pot.

If you are starting the recipe by searing the meat in the Instant Pot on the saute function, then set it to high pressure for 30-minutes. Once the cooking time is over, naturally release the pressure completely before removing the lid and serving. This takes around 15 minutes. If you are preparing in the skillet then moving to the Instant Pot, you will want to add an additional 10 minutes to the cook time then follow the same natural release process before serving.

How Do I Make This on the Stove Top?

Follow the directions until you are to cover and leave to slow cook. At this point, reduce the temperature to medium-low and simmer for around 2 hours in your stockpot or Dutch oven. This method will require regular checking and stirring. You may need to watch the liquid closely and add additional water to the pot to prevent it from drying out.

Ingredients

• Chuck roast
• Carrots
• Celery
• Red potatoes
• Onion
• Garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• All-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil
• Worcestershire sauce
• Beef broth
• Bay leaves
• Fresh rosemary
• Cornstarch
• Water

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Trim excess fat from the chuck roast and cut into 1" chunks.

Place the beef pieces into a large bowl and toss with flour, salt, and black pepper until all pieces are coated.

In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

Once the oil is hot, but not smoking, add the beef into the pan in a single layer. Brown on all sides for 1-2 minutes. This should take no more than 4-5 minutes per batch. You may need to do this in batches, so move the beef to the slow cooker as soon as it is browned.

Once the beef has all been browned and moved to the slow cooker, reduce the heat and add in the garlic and onion and cook for 2 minutes.

Tot he vegetables, add 1 cup of broth and deglaze the skillet breaking up any bits of food cooked onto the bottom of the skillet.

Pour this mixture over the beef in the slow cooker then add in your carrots, celery, potatoes, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, bay leaves, rosemary, and any additional salt and pepper desired.

Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

When done cooking, taste and season with additional salt and black pepper as needed.

If the stew is too thin for your preferences, make a slurry of cornstarch and water and add to the mixture then let continue cooking for 20-30 minutes before serving.

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with your favorite bread.

More Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Love

It's time for me to start thinking about all the delicious soups, stews, and chili's I can add to the menu. If you are looking for more delicious flavor in the form of soups or stews, below are a few more favorites for you to try this year! Make sure to come back and let me know which ones you like the best.

• Dutch Oven Tortellini Soup with Sausage
• Savory Spanish Garlic Bread Soup {Sopa de Ajo}
• Slow Cooker Chicken Mexican Stew
• Amazing Rich & Creamy Pumpkin Soup
• Cheesy Potato Soup
• White Bean with Crispy Bacon Soup
• Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
• Instant Pot Smoky Potato and Kale Soup Recipe

Chef's Tip

If you are interested in trying additional herbs and spices for your stew or other recipes, check out the spice subscription from Raw Spice Bar. They offer incredible sample sets of delicious new to you spice blends and regional spices that add tons of flavor to every day meals.