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Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 53 reviews

This Slow Cooker Beef Stew is a hearty and flavorful meal perfect for cozy evenings. Tender chunks of beef are seared to lock in flavor, then slow-cooked with carrots, Yukon gold potatoes, onions, garlic, and rich seasonings in a savory broth enhanced by red wine and Worcestershire sauce. Finished with peas added near the end, and optionally thickened and enriched with butter for a velvety texture, this classic stew delivers comforting depth and warmth with minimal active cooking time.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Seasonings

  • 2 ½ pounds stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes (trim large fat pieces)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ½ teaspoon celery salt
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

For Browning

  • 3–6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons cold butter, divided

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 2 cups yellow onions, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 lb. baby Yukon gold potatoes, halved or quartered
  • 1 cup frozen peas

Liquids and Flavorings

  • 1 cup cabernet sauvignon or merlot wine
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary

Thickening (Optional)

  • ¼ cup cold water
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch

Finishing (Optional)

  • 2–3 drops Gravy Master (optional, for richer color)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the beef: Cut the stew meat into 1-inch cubes, discarding any large pieces of fat while keeping fat marbled within the meat. Season the beef evenly with black pepper, garlic salt, and celery salt, then toss to coat. Sprinkle the flour over the beef and toss again to ensure a good coating.
  2. Brown the beef: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches, avoiding overcrowding, and brown each side for about 45 seconds. Add more oil if needed during this process. Once browned, transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
  3. Sauté aromatics: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the diced onions and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Pour a splash of the red wine into the skillet and use a silicone spatula to scrape up and loosen the flavorful brown bits from the pan. Transfer the onions, garlic, and wine mixture to the slow cooker with the beef.
  4. Add remaining ingredients: To the slow cooker, add beef broth, beef bouillon cubes, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, carrots, potatoes, bay leaves, rosemary sprig, and any remaining olive oil not used for browning. Do not add the peas, cornstarch mixture, or remaining butter at this stage.
  5. Cook the stew: Cover and cook on low for 7 ½ to 8 hours or on high for 3 ½ to 4 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork.
  6. Add peas and finish: About 15 minutes before the end of cooking, add the frozen peas to the slow cooker. Remove the bay leaves and rosemary stem before serving.
  7. Optional thickening: If you prefer a thicker stew, mix ¼ cup cold water with 3 tablespoons cornstarch until smooth. Slowly stir this mixture into the hot stew and allow it to cook for a few minutes until thickened. The stew will continue to thicken slightly as it stands.
  8. Monter au beurre: Turn off the heat and swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons of cold butter to enrich the stew and give it a velvety finish. Optionally, add 2-3 drops of Gravy Master for a deeper, richer color.

Notes

  • Use stew meat with some marbling for best flavor and tenderness.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot makes an excellent red wine choice for this stew.
  • Browning the meat in batches prevents steaming and enhances flavor.
  • Adding peas near the end keeps them vibrant and fresh.
  • Monter au Beurre (mounting with butter) adds silkiness to the sauce.
  • Gravy Master is optional and available at specialty grocery stores.

Keywords: beef stew, slow cooker recipe, comfort food, easy stew, hearty dinner, slow cooked beef, classic stew

Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/slow-cooker-beef-stew-recipe/