Crock Pot Beef Stew
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Tender, juicy stew meat with potatoes and carrots make this the best Crock Pot Beef Stew! This stew is rich, chunky and hearty. Perfect for curling up with on a cold winter night. Throw it in your slow cooker for a quick and easy dinner today!
The winters are tough here in Minnesota but things like this Crock Pot Beef Stew make it a little easier! Well, that and lighting a toasty fire in our fireplace, curling up on the couch in my favorite hoodie and sweats and staying nice and cozy – those things help, too!
Having a hearty stew simmering in the slow cooker all day is our favorite way to warm up when it’s cold. I mean, what’s not to love about a rich and savory stew with tender beef and chunky vegetables? It’s even better when it’s easy to make and this beef stew recipe I’m sharing today definitely is. All you need is 15 minutes in the morning and then you just set it and forget it.
It’s probably no surprise I LOVE crock pot recipes. I use mine all year, but I especially love it in the winter. We love hearty comfort food but I don’t have time to stand at the stove or oven all day babysitting our dinner! I’m guessing you don’t either – we’re all busy, right? Thank goodness for the slow cooker – I use mine to make pot roast, pork loin, and even meatloaf! They are all amazing winter dinners that are so easy to make.
But today it’s all about this Beef Stew! Serve it with some cheddar biscuits or homemade crescent rolls to soak up all the delicious sauce! If you’re craving something hearty and comforting you have to give this Crock Pot Beef Stew a try!
How to Prep the Beef for Crock Pot Beef Stew
For this recipe, all of the work happens in the morning – once you’ve prepped the ingredients you just leave it and serve it after it’s simmered all day! Instead of just tossing the beef in the slow cooker I like to coat it in a seasoned flour mixture first. This will season the beef and also help thicken your stew as it cooks.
Here’s what you’ll need to prep the beef!
- Stew meat cut into 1″ pieces
- All-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper
Combine the ingredients together in a large ziplock bag. Add the stew meat, close the bag, and shake it to coat the beef evenly. Place the floured beef in the slow cooker.
Add the rest of the Ingredients
Once the prepared stew meat is in the slow cooker, all you do is add the rest of the ingredients!
- Minced garlic – Grab the pre-minced jar of garlic at the grocery store so you have it handy in your fridge!
- Paprika – I mix it up with smoked paprika sometimes!
- Worcestershire sauce
- Beef broth – I always use low-sodium broths!
- Tomato sauce
- Diced yellow onion – My secret is to buy pre-diced frozen yellow onion and keep it in the freezer so I never have to chop my onions!
- Diced potatoes – My favorite type of potato to use is a Yukon Gold Potato. You can also use a red potato, but do not use a russet potato as it will break down when cooking this long.
- Diced carrots
Stir it all together, cover the crock pot with the lid and simmer your stew on low for eight to ten hours. When it’s time for dinner, give the stew a stir and ladle into bowls. That’s it! Easiest beef stew ever.
Do I have to brown the beef first?
For this recipe, you don’t have to brown the beef before you put it in the slow cooker. Of course, you can if you want to but I’ve tried it both ways and I really can’t tell the difference so I skip that step. I’m all about easy in the kitchen!
What potatoes are best for beef stew?
I think the best potatoes for this recipe are Yukon gold potatoes. They are waxy and hold their shape even if you cook them for several hours. Potatoes that have more starch, like russets, sometimes fall apart when you cook them for too long.
Can I cook the stew on high in the crock pot?
I prefer to cook this stew on low because the beef gets really nice and tender. I haven’t tested it using the higher setting, but if you try it I recommend cooking it high for four to five hours. You know when the beef is done when you can easily pull a piece apart with a fork. It’s shouldn’t be chewy – it should be nice and tender!
So cozy, so delicious, and so EASY! Make it for a cozy weeknight dinner or a family dinner on Sunday! If you’re like me, you’ll want to make this Crock Pot Beef Stew all winter long! I have a lot of other easy slow cooker recipes you might like, too, so be sure to check out these other amazing dinners!
More Crock Pot Recipes
- Another cozy and hearty slow cooker soup recipe is my white chicken chili. It has a spicy kick and I like to serve it with all the toppings!
- My meat and potatoes family loves BBQ brisket and during the winter I use my crock pot to make it – it’s so tender!
- Creamy Tortellini Soup is a super easy soup recipe you can make in the crock pot!
- Crock pot chicken teriyaki is always a hit when I make it! It’s so simple to make.
- Want even more ideas? I wrote a post with 62 of the Best Crock Pot Recipes all in one place – you’ll want to try them all!
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Try it and love it? Rate it, please!!!? Seriously though a five-star rating below will make my day! If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!!
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Crock Pot Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat cut into 1 in cubes
- 1/4 c. all purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 3 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 1/2 c. beef broth
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3 potatoes diced
- 4 carrots sliced
Instructions
- In a gallon size zip lock bag mix together flour, salt and pepper. Dump in the meat and shake until coated. Place in crock pot.
- Stir in the rest of the ingredients.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Tips
- Minced garlic – Grab the pre-minced jar of garlic at the grocery store so you have it handy in your fridge!
- Paprika – I mix it up with smoked paprika sometimes!
- Beef broth – I always use low-sodium broths!
- Diced yellow onion – My secret is to buy pre-diced frozen yellow onion and keep it in the freezer so I never have to chop my onions!
- Diced potatoes – My favorite type of potato to use is a Yukon Gold Potato. You can also use a red potato, but do not use a russet potato as it will break down when cooking this long.
Beth says
Ok, this recipe is why I love these cold winter months! Delish, can’t wait to try!
Julie says
I hope you enjoy it!
MARTIN GEDNEY says
Everything tastes when it comes out of a Crock Pot!
Julie says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Barb says
Thank you for this great stew recipe. I will try it but it looks just like what I have been looking for!
Julie says
I hope you enjoy it!
Amanda says
We’ve loved this stew for several years now and when I went to make it today, I noticed the addition of tomato product. I omitted the tomato but something was still off 🙁 It seemed spicer and I swear there used to only be two cups of broth not 2.5…Can I get a copy of the original recipe?
Samantha says
sounds like a great recipe going to try it soon but was wondering do you add any water to this recipe?
Shannon says
This is our family’s favourite beef stew. Finally a great recipe without adding tomatoes or tomato soup. Just the good ol stew it doesn’t have a bunch of fancy ingredients. But it is so amazing thank you
Julie Evink says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Shannon! Thanks for letting me know!
Jessica says
This looks great! Could you be more specific on the potato size you used??
Julie Evink says
I used regular medium size potatoes from a 5 lb bag and cut them into quarters.
Tanya Schroeder says
Cuddling up in front of the fire with food sounds like the perfect night to me!!! Good looking stew Julie!
Julie Evink says
Thanks Tanya!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
I love beef stew on a cold day, and this one looks great! Thanks so much for sharing it at Saturday Night Fever!
Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats says
Ahh.. the perfect comfort food dish. I think my favorite part is being able to throw it in the crockpot and then have dinner ready when it time to eat! Great recipe Julie!
Julie Evink says
Can’t go wrong with the crock pot doing all the work! Thanks Krista!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
I love to start making hearty stews when fall rolls around! This is perfect for chilly fall evenings!
Julie Evink says
I agree Jessica!
Tanya Schroeder says
I love fall weather too it just gets to be so cold so quickly! I’ll need to make lots of this stew when the weather turns! We have a fire place that we never use, my husband doesn’t want to do with the ashes-what a weirdo!
Julie Evink says
I know!!! I don’t want actual winter to come! Fall can stay forever!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
This stew looks great for chilly nights and best of all it’s made with my best friend – the crock pot!
Julie Evink says
She’s my best friend too!
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says
This looks so hearty! I love a great stew and with this cold weather it’s perfect! Pinning this.
Julie Evink says
Thanks Zainab!
Stephanie @ PlainChicken says
I love a good beef stew on a cold night! This looks delicious!
Julie Evink says
Me too! Thanks Steph!
LK says
I thought the Crock Pot Beef Stew made an excellent base, but it needs more variety. Maybe a can tomato sauce and extra seasoning (i.e. oregano) and a little more beef broth.
Lisa says
I loved it..I have searched long and hard for a stew recipe without tomatoes. To me tomatoes ruin a stew..I will putting this one on my rotation!
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it Lisa!