Slow Cooker Beef Stew

When it comes to comfort food, nothing beats a cozy bowl of slow cooker beef stew. This delicious recipe is perfect for those chilly nights when you crave something hearty and warm. With the best beef stew ingredients simmering away in your 6 quart slow cooker, you’ll be transported to a world of savory goodness.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef chuck (boneless, cut into chunks)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 3 cups beef broth or beef stock
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Sear the beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef on all sides, which should take about 5-7 minutes. This step enhances the flavor of beef and adds depth to your stew.
2. Transfer to the slow cooker: Once the beef is nicely browned, add the beef to your slow cooker.
3. Add vegetables: Add the chopped onion, sliced carrots, and diced potatoes to the slow cooker.
4. Mix the broth: In a bowl, combine the beef broth or beef stock, red wine, minced garlic, tomato paste, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker.
5. Cook on low: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. The tenderness of the beef will increase as it cooks low and slow.
6. Thicken the stew: If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can remove the lid during the last hour of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the stew.
7. Serve and enjoy: Once the beef is tender and the flavors melded, serve your slow cooker beef stew hot. This is the best beef stew I’ve ever made, and I’m sure you will love this recipe!

Tips for the Best Beef Stew

For the best tasting beef stew, consider using a combination of different cuts of beef such as beef chuck roast and stew meat. You can also experiment with other vegetables or spices to create your favorite beef stew variations. This easy slow cooker beef stew is a recipe you’ll want to come back to again and again!