Description
This Crockpot Beef Stew is a hearty and comforting dish made with tender chunks of beef, fresh vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth. Perfect for slow cooking, this stew delivers deep flavors with minimal effort, making it an ideal meal for chilly days or busy schedules. The combination of tender beef, potatoes, carrots, and celery creates a balanced and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 pounds boneless stewing beef cubes or chuck
Vegetables
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled & diced (fairly large bite-size pieces)
- 4 large carrots, peeled & cut into fairly large bite-size pieces
- 3 sticks celery, chopped
Liquids and Seasonings
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pepper to taste
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Prepare the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches, ensuring each piece is seared on all sides. This step locks in flavor and color. Remove the beef and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Using the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine ingredients in crockpot: Transfer the browned beef, sautéed onions and garlic, diced potatoes, carrots, chopped celery, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and bay leaves into the crockpot. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Cook the stew: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The beef should be tender and the vegetables soft but intact.
- Thicken the stew (optional): If you prefer a thicker stew, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with a small amount of cold water to make a slurry. Stir this mixture into the crockpot about 30 minutes before serving, cover, and allow it to thicken.
- Final seasoning and serving: Remove bay leaves, adjust salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot. This stew pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or over a bed of rice.
Notes
- Using tomato paste adds depth and richness to the broth; if unavailable, a small amount of tomato sauce can be substituted but will be less concentrated.
- The cornstarch thickening step is optional depending on your preferred stew consistency.
- For enhanced flavor, marinate beef cubes in Worcestershire sauce and some garlic beforehand if desired.
- Leftovers taste great reheated and may develop even richer flavors overnight in the fridge.
Keywords: beef stew, crockpot recipe, slow cooker beef stew, comfort food, hearty stew, easy dinner