Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe

Introduction

This Crock Pot Beef Stew is a comforting and hearty meal perfect for busy days. Packed with tender beef, potatoes, and carrots, it’s simple to prepare and fills your home with delicious aromas as it cooks slowly. Great for a set-it-and-forget-it dinner that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 packages (1 ounce each) dry onion soup mix
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 2 pounds beef stew meat or boneless beef roast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 5 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 to 3 cups baby carrots
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cans (10 ounces each) cream of celery soup
• 1 cup ketchup (substitute tomato sauce if preferred)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large plastic bag, combine the dry onion soup mix and paprika. Add the beef pieces and shake the bag to evenly coat the meat with the seasonings. You may need to do this in two batches if all the meat doesn’t fit at once.
2. Step 2: Spread the seasoned meat evenly into a greased 7-quart crock pot. Top the meat with the diced potatoes, baby carrots, and chopped onion in an even layer.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, mix together the cream of celery soup and ketchup until smooth. Pour this mixture over the meat and vegetables in the crock pot.
4. Step 4: Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours, or until the beef is tender and cooked through and the vegetables are soft.
5. Step 5: Gently stir to combine all the ingredients before serving. Enjoy your warm and hearty beef stew!

Tips & Variations

• For a thicker stew, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with cold water during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Swap baby carrots for sliced regular carrots if needed; adjust quantity to your liking.
• Add a few cloves of minced garlic with the onion for extra flavor.
• Use tomato sauce instead of ketchup for a less sweet, more traditional flavor.
• Feel free to include other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for variety.

Storage

Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat or microwave in a covered dish until heated through. This stew can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other cuts of beef for this stew?

Yes, tougher cuts like chuck roast or round are ideal because they become tender during the slow cooking process. Avoid lean cuts that may dry out.

Do I need to brown the beef before adding it to the crock pot?

No, browning is not necessary for this recipe because the dry onion soup mix adds plenty of flavor. However, browning can add extra depth if you prefer.

Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 105 reviews

This hearty Crock Pot Beef Stew is a comforting and easy-to-make dish perfect for busy days. Tender beef stew meat is slow-cooked with potatoes, baby carrots, onions, and a rich blend of onion soup mix, paprika, cream of celery soup, and ketchup to create a flavorful and satisfying meal. Ideal for set-it-and-forget-it cooking, this stew delivers deep flavors and tender vegetables with minimal effort.

• Author: Amaya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seasoning Mix

• 2 packages (1 ounce each) dry onion soup mix
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Main Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stew meat or boneless beef roast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 5 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 to 3 cups baby carrots
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped

Sauce

• 2 cans (10 ounces each) cream of celery soup
• 1 cup ketchup (you can substitute tomato sauce if preferred)

Instructions

1. Season the Meat: In a large plastic bag, combine the dry onion soup mix and paprika. Add the beef stew meat pieces and shake the bag well to coat all meat evenly with the seasoning mixture. If necessary, season the meat in batches to ensure thorough coverage.
2. Layer Ingredients in Crock Pot: Lightly grease a 7-quart crock pot. Spread the seasoned meat evenly at the bottom. Then, top the meat layer evenly with the peeled and diced potatoes, baby carrots, and chopped yellow onion, distributing them uniformly.
3. Prepare and Add Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the cream of celery soup and ketchup until well combined. Pour this sauce mixture evenly over the meat and vegetables in the crock pot, coating them thoroughly.
4. Cook the Stew: Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on low heat. Allow the stew to cook for 7 to 8 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Once done, stir gently to combine all ingredients before serving.

Notes

• For a thicker stew, you may add a small amount of beef broth or reduce the amount of cream of celery soup.
• Substitute ketchup with tomato sauce if you prefer less sweetness in the stew.
• Cut vegetables into uniformly sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
• You can add seasonal herbs like thyme or rosemary for added flavor.
• If using a smaller crock pot, reduce the ingredients proportionally.

Keywords: Crock Pot Beef Stew, slow cooker beef stew, easy beef stew recipe, comfort food, hearty stew, crockpot recipes