Classic Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This classic slow cooker beef stew is the perfect hearty comfort food for a cozy dinner. Loaded with veggies, tender beef, and a simple, flavorful broth, this healthy version of a classic will fill you up without weighing you down.

Instant Pot Beef Stew is a staple on my meal plan year-round – no matter if it’s warm or cool outside – because it’s just so easy, and so good! A traditional beef stew is definitely on my list of comfort foods, perfect for the whole family!

But if my Instant Pot is busy…making a batch of Instant Pot Beans or Instant Pot Brown Rice or even Instant Pot Chicken Stock, then I need another way to make a delicious beef stew recipe.

Enter the slow cooker beef stew!

EASY SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW RECIPE

I sometimes feel like making this slow cooker beef stew is cheating on dinner because it’s SO easy to make. You literally dump everything in and turn the crockpot on!

Plus it’s a great meal for the freezer – anytime I make this healthy slow cooker beef stew, I measure the same ingredients into a freezer-safe reusable bag or a freezer-safe container and tuck it away for a future busy night.

This crock pot beef stew recipe makes several servings, so you can have dinner PLUS leftovers for lunch, or serve it for dinner two nights in a row for a break from cooking.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE BEST BEEF STEW CROCK-POT

• Beef stew meat (or choose a different cut of meat – see below for more options)
• Seasonings: dried thyme, marjoram, salt, minced garlic
• Sauce makers: beef or chicken stock, tomato paste (freeze the extra so it doesn’t go to waste!), coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
• Veggies: diced onions, baby carrots (or medium carrots cut into 1” pieces), parsnips (peeled and cut into 1″ pieces), turnips (peeled and cut into 1″ pieces), frozen peas

Psst! If you’re going to add salt to your beef stew crock-pot, I highly recommend Ava Jane’s Kitchen. You may think all salt is created equal, but unfortunately, 90% of the salt produced around the world contains microplastics (gross, right?). Ava Jane’s Kitchen is an exception. Their salt is 100% microplastic-free, and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt (just pay shipping and handling!)

BEEF STEW MEAT IN SLOW COOKER

I used to think that you HAD to use “stew beef” to make slow cooker beef stew, but that’s not true! I’ve tested this recipe using various types of meat, and they’ve all turned out delicious.

• Stew meat
• Sliced steaks (usually flank steak)
• Sliced roasts (bottom round or shoulder roast)

I think the best cut for beef stew is the cut of meat you have on hand, or what’s on sale at the store.

Some beef stew recipes call for red wine, saying it’s more sophisticated or grown up. Balsamic vinegar and Worcestershire sauce are also found in a lot of recipes. Call me old fashioned, but I like this recipe just the way it is – it reminds me of family dinners at grandma’s house when I was younger!

A QUICK NOTE ON THE BEEF FOR STEW SLOW COOKER

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HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW

Step 1. Combine all ingredients in a 6-quart slow cooker.

Step 2. Set cooking time to low for 8-10 hours.

Step 3. Stir the finished slow cooker beef stew. Use your ladle to scoop the finished stew into bowls and serve hot! Top with a dash of black pepper if desired.

If you have any beef crockpot stew leftover, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.

SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW RECIPE TIPS

• Make One Freeze One (MOFO) – anytime you make one batch of this slow cooker stew beef recipe, measure the same ingredients into a freezer-safe bag for an easy, fast meal later!
• If you don’t have stew meat, try flank steak or a beef chuck roast cut up into bite-sized pieces!
• If you don’t want beef stew with turnips, use potatoes instead. Yukon gold potatoes or red potatoes hold up well to cooking in the slow cooker. Russet potatoes work too if that’s what you have on hand. Peel and cut them into 1” cubes just like the parsnips and turnips.
• This recipe easily halves or doubles – just make sure you have the right-sized slow cooker.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS RECIPE FOR A BEEF STEW

Because this recipe for a beef stew is already heavy on vegetables, I don’t usually worry too much about side dishes. We may do Instant Pot Baked Potatoes or Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, or perhaps a side salad.

However, you could serve egg noodles or Herbed Rice or even No-Knead Artisan Bread alongside the healthy slow cooker beef stew. All would be delicious!

BEEF CROCKPOT STEW FAQS

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