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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

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A hearty and comforting slow cooker beef stew recipe that’s easy to prep and perfect for chilly evenings. Tender beef, flavorful broth, and vegetables cooked low and slow for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into thick rounds
  • 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced into chunks
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (30g)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Toss them in the all-purpose flour seasoned lightly with salt and pepper to coat evenly.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. In batches, brown the beef cubes on all sides until a deep golden crust forms, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker.
  3. Chop the onion, carrots, celery, potatoes, and mince the garlic. Place these on top of the beef in the slow cooker.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, rosemary, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour this liquid evenly over the meat and vegetables. Add the bay leaf.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and potatoes are soft but not mushy.
  6. Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. If the stew is too thin, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water and stir into the stew, cooking on high for 15 minutes to thicken.
  7. Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve with crusty bread or creamy mashed potatoes.

Notes

Browning the beef adds rich flavor and texture but can be skipped if short on time. Avoid overcrowding the pan when browning to prevent steaming. Cut vegetables into consistent sizes for even cooking. Resist stirring during cooking to keep vegetables intact. Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch for a gluten-free version. Add seasonal vegetables like butternut squash halfway through cooking to avoid mushiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, hearty beef stew, comfort food, easy beef stew, slow cooker recipe, cozy dinner, beef chuck stew

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-stew-recipe-easy-hearty-comfort-meal/