I make this beef stew recipe when the day runs long and I want real comfort. Tender beef, carrots, and potatoes rest in a deep broth that smells like home. I set the slow cooker and the work fades away while flavor builds steady and sure. This bowl suits busy nights and slow Sundays. For friends who love best beef stew crock pot recipes, this one lands right in the sweet spot. If you search beef for stew recipes, you will spot cuts like chuck that stay juicy. I brown the meat, scrape the fond, and let the pot carry the rest of the load. I grew up near a small shop that sold one warm stew every winter. My version keeps that spirit. People ask for a korean beef stew recipe, a beef stew recipe stove top, or even a filipino beef stew recipe. You can make this easy beef stew recipe stove top with the same base, yet I lean on the crock pot for ease. Ladle it over rice or serve with a thick slice of bread. Either way, the table goes quiet in a good way.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Beef Stew Crock Pot Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Beef Stew Crock Pot
- 4) How to Make Beef Stew Crock Pot
- 5) Tips for Making Beef Stew Crock Pot
- 6) Making Beef Stew Crock Pot Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Beef Stew Crock Pot
- 8) Try these Main Course next
- 9) Beef Stew Crock Pot
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
This warm pot feeds a busy day with little fuss. I brown beef, I load vegetables, and I let steady heat do the work. The broth turns deep and the kitchen smells like a hug. Families ask for seconds and the pot comes up clean.
The method stays simple. A short sear builds flavor. A slow cook makes the beef tender. Starch from potatoes rounds the body. The finish tastes rich without heavy effort. The main keyword beef stew recipe fits this approach with ease.
I write as Lila from Lila Cooks at https://www.lilacooks.com. I keep the steps clear. I keep the tone calm. You get dinner that feels homey and steady. You get room to add your touch.
2) Easy Beef Stew Crock Pot Recipe
I reach for my slow cooker when life runs fast. This beef stew recipe waits on the counter and does its job. I say beef stew recipe again since it shapes the heart of this guide. The meat turns soft. The carrots shine sweet. The potatoes hold their bite.
I learned this on a cold week. I browned beef before work, set the pot, and left. I came home to steam on the window and a table that set itself. Friends stopped by and the pot still stretched. The food tasted like we had planned a feast.
People search best beef stew crock pot recipes and land on long lists. I favor one plan that never fails. Sear, layer, cover, wait. If you love beef for stew recipes, this path gives clean flavor and steady texture with no drama.
3) Ingredients for Beef Stew Crock Pot
Beef chuck I pick well marbled cubes for a soft bite. The fat melts and keeps the meat juicy. A lean cut turns dry, so I skip it here.
Onion I dice a large one. It sweetens the base and blends into the broth as time passes. The stew tastes fuller when onion cooks down slow.
Carrots I peel and cut thick chunks. They hold shape and add color. Each bite brings light sweetness that plays well with beef.
Celery I slice two ribs. They bring fresh notes and help the aroma bloom. The strings soften during the long cook.
Potatoes I use waxy cubes so the edges stay neat. They release just enough starch to round the broth without turning it cloudy.
Garlic I mince cloves for warmth. The flavor lifts the meat and keeps the stew from tasting flat.
Tomato paste I stir a spoon in the pan and let it darken. This quick step gives depth and gentle tang.
Diced tomatoes I add one can with juices. It brightens the pot and helps tenderize the beef as it cooks.
Beef broth I pour low sodium stock. It lets me season with control and keeps the focus on the meat.
Soy sauce and Worcestershire I splash both for umami. Small amounts make the stew taste slow simmered.
Smoked paprika and thyme I shake in a light mix. The smoke reads like hours on the stove and the thyme smells fresh.
Bay leaf I tuck one in for a soft herbal line that ties the pot together.
Frozen peas I fold these in at the end for color and a pop of sweetness.
Flour slurry I whisk equal parts flour and water. It gives gentle body without lumps.
4) How to Make Beef Stew Crock Pot
Step one brown the beef I pat cubes dry and season well. I sear in a hot pan until the sides turn deep brown. This builds the base.
Step two work the aromatics I soften onion and celery in the same pan. I add garlic and tomato paste and cook until the paste turns brick red.
Step three deglaze the pan I splash a bit of broth and scrape the browned bits. I pour the mixture into the slow cooker with the beef.
Step four load the pot I add carrots, potatoes, diced tomatoes, the rest of the broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire, paprika, thyme, and the bay leaf.
Step five cook low and slow I cover and cook on low until the beef turns fork tender. A steady simmer keeps the vegetables intact.
Step six thicken and finish I stir in the flour slurry for gentle body. I fold in peas and let them warm through. I taste and adjust salt and pepper.
5) Tips for Making Beef Stew Crock Pot
Dry beef before searing. Moisture blocks browning. A good crust brings flavor that carries through the cook. This small move pays off each time.
Cut vegetables in large chunks. They keep shape during a long simmer. Small cuts turn soft too fast and cloud the broth.
Use a classic beef stew recipe idea for seasoning. Salt early but light, then finish at the end. Fresh herbs at the finish wake the pot.
6) Making Beef Stew Crock Pot Ahead of Time
I often prep at night. I cube beef, chop vegetables, and brown the meat. I store each in the fridge. Morning comes and the slow cooker takes over without rush.
The flavor grows when the pot rests. A night in the fridge lets the broth settle and meld. Reheat on gentle heat so the meat stays tender and the potatoes keep shape.
For friends who ask for beef stew recipe stove top, the same prep works in a Dutch oven on low heat. That path suits a weekend when you stay close to the stove.
7) Storing Leftover Beef Stew Crock Pot
I cool the stew in shallow containers. I store it in the fridge for three days. For longer storage I freeze in single portions for easy lunches.
Reheat on the stove with a splash of broth or water. Stir now and then so the bottom does not stick. The texture returns and the flavors bloom again.
If you love filipino beef stew recipe or a korean beef stew recipe vibe, add a spoon of fish sauce or a hint of gochujang when you reheat. Small tweaks make new bowls from the same base.
8) Try these Main Course next
9) Beef Stew Crock Pot
Beef Stew Recipe Crock Pot Cozy Dinner
Ingredients
For the Stew
- two pounds beef chuck cut in one inch cubes
- one large onion diced
- three carrots peeled and cut in chunks
- two celery stalks sliced
- one and one half pounds potatoes cut in chunks
- three cloves garlic minced
- one cup frozen peas
- three tablespoons tomato paste
- one can diced tomatoes fourteen ounces no salt added
- three cups beef broth low sodium
- two tablespoons soy sauce
- one tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- one teaspoon smoked paprika
- one teaspoon dried thyme
- one bay leaf
- one teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- half teaspoon black pepper
- two tablespoons olive oil
To Thicken
- three tablespoons flour
- three tablespoons water
Instructions
- Pat the beef dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet over medium high. Brown the beef in batches. Move the beef to the slow cooker.
- Add onion and celery to the skillet. Cook until tender. Stir in garlic and tomato paste. Cook until the paste darkens. Splash in a little broth and scrape up the browned bits. Pour everything into the slow cooker.
- Add carrots, potatoes, diced tomatoes, broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, thyme, and the bay leaf. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for eight hours or on high for four hours until the beef is fork tender and the vegetables are soft.
- Whisk flour and water in a small bowl until smooth. Stir the slurry into the stew. Cook ten more minutes to thicken. Fold in peas and let them warm through.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Remove the bay leaf. Serve hot with bread or rice.
10) Nutrition
One warm bowl offers balanced fuel. Expect around four hundred twenty calories, a good share of protein, a steady amount of complex carbs, and a moderate level of fat. Sodium stays in check when you use low sodium broth. Fiber rises with peas and carrots. This slow cooker beef stew recipe keeps you full and steady without heaviness.
For athletes or busy parents, pair the stew with rice for extra carbs or a side salad for crunch. The mix fits many plans and keeps well for meal prep. Advertisers love that this dish uses common pantry items and clear steps that build confidence for new cooks.
Fans of easy beef stew recipe stove top can mirror the same nutrition with a Dutch oven method. Both paths give the same comfort and the same strong macro split.
About the Author
I am Lila, the cook behind Lila Cooks. You can find more comfort recipes and smart weeknight plans at https://www.lilacooks.com. I test each method until it feels clear and calm to follow. I keep flavor first and keep waste low.
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