Description
This Wholesome Crockpot Beef Stew is a hearty and comforting slow-cooked meal featuring tender beef chuck, fresh vegetables, and rich seasonings. Perfect for busy days, this recipe combines simple ingredients with slow cooking to create a deeply flavorful stew that warms the soul and satisfies the appetite.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Seasoning
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Vegetables
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 medium carrots, sliced
- 3 medium potatoes, diced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Coat and Brown Beef: Place the beef cubes in a large bowl and toss thoroughly with flour, salt, pepper, and paprika until evenly coated. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the beef in batches, cooking each side for 2 to 3 minutes until nicely seared. Transfer browned beef to the crockpot.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma. Then transfer both onion and garlic to the crockpot.
- Add Liquids and Vegetables: Pour beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce into the crockpot, stirring gently to combine. Add sliced carrots, diced potatoes, sliced celery, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and the bay leaf. Stir gently to mix all ingredients well.
- Slow Cook the Stew: Cover the crockpot and set to cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Cook until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are fully cooked through.
- Finish and Garnish: About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the frozen peas and cook until heated through. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish the stew with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a thicker stew, mash a few diced potatoes directly into the broth just before serving to naturally thicken the sauce.
- You can swap regular potatoes with sweet potatoes to add a slightly sweeter flavor profile to the stew.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.
