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The Ultimate Easy Crockpot Beef Stew: Perfect Tender Meat Every Time

Close-up of a dark bowl filled with rich crockpot beef stew featuring tender beef chunks, carrots, and potatoes.
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Make this hearty, classic beef stew in your slow cooker for a satisfying, low-effort dinner. This recipe delivers tender beef and rich flavor with minimal hands-on time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup dry red wine (optional, substitute with more broth)
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons cold water (for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef cubes dry. In a bowl, toss the beef with salt, pepper, and flour until lightly coated.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the floured beef in batches, about 2-3 minutes per side. Do not overcrowd the skillet. Remove the browned beef and place it in the bottom of your slow cooker.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Pour the onion mixture into the slow cooker over the beef. Add the beef broth, red wine (if using), Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 hours.
  6. Add the carrots and potatoes to the slow cooker. Stir them into the liquid. Cover and continue cooking on LOW for another 2 to 3 hours, or until the beef and vegetables are fork-tender.
  7. Remove the bay leaves. Stir in the frozen peas during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
  8. To thicken the stew, pour the cornstarch and cold water slurry into the slow cooker. Stir well. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes, or until the broth has thickened to your desired consistency.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use high-quality beef broth.
  • If you skip browning the beef, the stew will still be good, but browning adds a deeper, richer color and flavor base.
  • This stew is excellent for meal prep; it tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/crockpot-beef-stew-easy-tender-recipe/