Crock Pot Beef Stew is a comforting and hearty meal filled with tender chunks of beef, a ton of veggies and a rich and flavorful broth. Let the crock pot do all the cooking and enjoy the delicious end result!
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This post was originally posted on 10/02/2020 and updated on 10/16/2024.
Why We Love This Crock Pot Beef Stew
- A set it and forget recipe that is ready to devour when you get home.
- Basically effortless. Just a little prep work and then the crock pot does the rest.
- A traditional recipe that is a family favorite!
- This stew is hearty, filling and the most comforting meal.
- So delicious and amazing!
Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe Ingredients
- Beef Chuck Roast-Stew Meat
- All Purpose Flour
- Salted Butter
- Russet Potatoes
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Frozen Corn
- Canned Diced Tomatoes
- Beef Broth
- Minced Garlic
- Dried Basil
- Dried Thyme
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Substitution Suggestions
- Chuck Roast-Stew Meat: You can use a beef chuck roast or steak and cube it yourself. Or you can use already pre-cut stew meat.
- All Purpose Flour: The flour will help thicken the stew. It isn't a necessary step, but it really helps with the texture of the stew.
- Salted Butter: Olive oil or another neutral oil can be used. However, butter gives the best flavor!
- Russet Potatoes: I prefer to use Russet potatoes in this stew because they hold up better in the crock pot. However, you can use red potatoes or yellow potatoes.
- Carrots: If you like you can use baby carrots. I like to use whole carrots and cut them up. I feel they turn out more tender than baby carrots.
- Onion: If your family isn't a fan of chunks of onions in their food you can use a teaspoon of onion powder or a tablespoon of dried onion flakes. You'll get all the flavor of onion with no chunks.
- Frozen Corn: You can also use a can of corn that has been drained or fresh corn cut off the cob.
- Diced Tomatoes: Any type or flavor of diced tomatoes can be used. I've tried fire roasted diced tomatoes, basic and garlic diced tomatoes and original flavored and they are all delicious in this beef stew.
- Beef Broth: You can also use chicken or vegetable broth for a lighter stew. Bullion and water are also a great option.
- Seasonings: Use your favorite! I like the combination of basil and thyme. You could use Italian seasoning, parsley, rosemary, or a mix of your favorites.
Allow the crock pot to do almost all the work for you, and the outcome will be melt in your mouth beef chunks, tender veggies and the most flavorful rich broth.
How to Make Beef Stew in the Crock Pot
- First, if needed cut the beef roast into 1 inch cubes.
- Then, add the beef or stew meat to a plastic zip top bag and sprinkle with the all purpose flour and some salt and black pepper. Shake to coat all the beef.
- Next, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the beef being careful not to overcrowd the pan, you may need to work in batches. Brown the beef on all sides.
- Place the seared beef in the crock pot. Repeat until all the beef is browned.
- Add ½ cup of the broth into the skillet and scrape all the bits off the bottom of the skillet. Then pour it all into the crock pot with the beef.
- Add all the remaining ingredients to the crock pot: potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, frozen corn, diced tomatoes with liquid, beef broth, minced garlic, basil, thyme, salt and pepper. Give it a good stir.
- Cook the stew on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Serve and enjoy!
What to Serve with Easy Beef Stew
This beef stew is hearty and filling enough to stand alone. However, I always serve bread or crackers with my stew. A simple green salad is also a great idea for some freshness. Here are some of our favorites to have with this beef stew:
- Homemade Garlic Breadsticks
- Easy Dinner Rolls
- Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread
- The Easiest Garlic Bread
- Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese
- Classic Grilled Cheese
- Crusty Bread with Butter
- Buttered Crackers
- Simple Side Salad: I love soup and salad together!
Beef stew is a family favorite. We also really love this Crock Pot Beef Barley Stew. It so incredibly delicious and so easy to make in the crock pot as well.
Storing Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Storing: Store any leftover beef stew in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. This yummy stew is just as good if not better the next day when all the flavor has melded together!
Freezing: This beef stew is freezer friendly. Let any leftover stew cool completely and then add it to freezer safe air tight containers or zip top bags. Label, date and freeze. It will last 3-4 months in the freezer. I like to also freeze it in individual portions for work and school lunches.
Thawing: Thaw the frozen beef stew overnight in the fridge.
Reheating: Reheat the beef stew on the stove over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
Heather's Favorite Tools for this Recipe
- I prefer to use a cast iron skillet to brown the stew meat. It creates the best sear!
- I love my crock pot that is programmable. It allows me to leave the house knowing the stew won't be overcooked.
- A garlic press works great if you want to use fresh garlic and not have to chop it. I use a Pampered Chef one but this garlic press from OXO is a great one too!
Tips for Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew
- Cut all the veggies about the same size as the beef. This will help the veggies turn out tender and not mush. No one likes a mushy beef stew.
- Do not skip browning the beef. It adds so much flavor to the stew. However, if you are in a time crunch in the morning it can be skipped.
- Save time in the morning and cut all your veggies the night before. Yes, even the potatoes. Cut the potatoes add them to a bowl of water and place them in the fridge. They won't be brown in the morning. Drain the water before adding to the crock pot.
- Save even more time in the morning and brown the beef the night before too.
- Save the most time in the morning and prepare the entire stew the night before. Place it all in the crock pot liner and then in the fridge overnight and cook it in the morning.
- When buying a roast, buy a boneless roast. It makes it much easier to cut up.
- You can cook the stew on high for 4 hours, but I recommend cooking on low. It makes the beef much more melt in your mouth tender.
FAQs
This step is not absolutely necessary, but it does create the best flavor. Searing the beef helps lock in all the juices of the meat and gives the meat a better texture and flavor.
Yes raw meat can go in a slow cooker. However, if you have the time to sear the meat first it will give the overall dish a much richer flavor.
For this beef stew recipe it doesn't matter which goes in first. Add it all in the crock pot and give it a good stir. If you are cooking a roast with veggies, the root vegetables can go on the bottom with the meat placed on top.
More Crock Pot Recipes:
- Hamburger Vegetable Soup
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Stuffed Peppers
- Ham and Potato Soup
- Beef Bolognese
- Iowa Maid Rites
- Busy Day Steak
- Whole Chicken
- Split Pea Soup
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Crock Pot Beef Stew
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1 inch cubes or stew meat
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 large carrots, cubed
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 15 oz diced tomatoes, with liquid
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a zip top bag add the beef, flour, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Shake to coat all the beef.
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add the beef. Brown the beef on all sides then add to the crock pot. Don't overcrowd the pan, work in batches if needed.
- Add ½ cup of the broth to the skillet to de glaze it and scrape all the bits off the bottom. Add it all to the crock pot with the beef.
- Add all the veggies, remaining broth and spices to the crock pot. Give it a good stir.
- Set the crock pot on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
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