This easy, stick-to-your-ribs Crock Pot Old Fashioned Beef Stew recipe is chock full of tender beef, potatoes, hearty vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth. It’s the ultimate comfort food dinner that’s as easy as it is delicious! The perfect meal for chilly days and busy weeknights.
Table of contents
Hearty slow cooker meals with beef
I love being able to throw a few ingredients into a slow cooker and not worry about dinner being ready on time. Not only is it easy but the crock pot transforms any cuts of beef, including tough cuts, into tender, mouthwatering dinners.
I have so many favorites that come to mind. Whether it’s summer and you don’t want to turn on the oven, or during cold winter months when you need some good ole comfort food, slow cooker recipes are the answer. From my favorite Eye of Round Roast pot roast and warm and hearty Hamburger Soup to my oh-so-tender Hawaiian Short Ribs, the crockpot always produces delicious meals with ease.
Why you'll love this beef stew crock pot recipe
There's nothing quite like coming home to the mouthwatering aroma of a hearty beef stew simmering away in the crock pot. This old-fashioned beef stew is a cut above traditional beef stew and perfect for those who love delicious meals with little effort.
Easy Recipe: No need to brown meat or fuss over multiple pots and pans. Just toss everything into the crock pot and let it do its thing. It’s as easy as it gets!
One Pot: This recipe means fewer dishes to wash and more time to relax. Everything cooks together and makes clean-up a breeze.
Simple Ingredients: This easy recipe uses common staples you probably already have in your pantry such as carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, and a few seasonings.
Easily Customizable: Add your favorite veggies, switch up the seasonings, or use what you have on hand. This recipe tastes great no matter what you add!
Comfort Food: What more could you want on a chilly day than a warm bowl of tender beef stew. Perfect for cozy family dinners or meal prep for the week.
Crock pot beef stew ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this savory stew. Check the printable recipe card below for the exact measurements and full instructions.
- Stew Beef: Usually made with tough cuts of meat, such as chuck roast or round steak, that becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender after slow cooking.
- Carrots: Add a touch of sweetness and a pop of color.
- Celery: Brings a subtle earthy flavor.
- Onion: Adds a depth of flavor and a bit of savory sweetness.
- Potatoes: Choose a waxy potato such as red potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes as they will hold their shape better. Potatoes make the stew hearty and filling and absorb all the delicious flavors of the stew.
- Frozen Peas: Adds nutrition, a bright color, and a slight sweetness to the mix.
- Tomatoes: Provide a rich, tangy base that enhances the overall flavor.
- Beef Broth: Creates a savory, flavorful broth that ties all the ingredients together.
- Flour: Helps thicken the stew.
- Sugar: Just a touch to balance the flavors and enhance the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
- Salt: Essential for bringing out the flavors of all the ingredients.
- Fresh Ground Pepper: Adds a bit of spice to the stew.
- Paprika: Gives the stew a hint of smoky flavor.
How to make beef stew in a crock pot
Cooking this flavorful beef stew in a crock pot is a breeze. With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and hearty meal ready to go without spending hours in the kitchen. By the way, if you don't have a crockpot you can also use a Dutch Oven. See the recipe card for directions.
- Place all the beef cubes, potatoes, tomatoes with the accompanying tomato sauce, and vegetables in the crock pot.
- Sprinkle on the flour and seasonings.
- Pour the beef broth over all.
- Give it a good stir. Set the slow cooker and let the stew cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10-12 hours. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
This one-pot crockpot beef stew came out delicious and definitely lived up to its mouthwatering aromas. The tender meat was just falling apart and the beef stock gravy, with its deep rich flavor, was a family favorite. It was loved so much that everyone was sopping it up with bread to get every last drop.
The great part was how easy this slow cooker beef stew recipe it was to make. All you need to do is throw everything in the slow cooker, set the time and temp and you're done until dinner. It's a hearty meal that the whole family will love.
Recipe variations
One of the best things about this beef stew recipe is how versatile it can be. You can easily tweak it to suit your taste or to use up what you have on hand.
- Add Mushrooms or Other Vegetables: Enhance the stew’s earthy flavors by adding mushrooms, or mix it up with other veggies like bell peppers, parsnips, or green beans.
- Herbs for Extra Flavor: Add a bay leaf at the beginning of the cook cycle for a stronger herbal flavor. You can also add fresh herbs, like parsley or rosemary, during the last hour of cooking to add a burst of freshness to your stew.
- Substitute with Dry Red Wine or Beer: For a deeper, richer flavor, try substituting part of the beef broth with red wine or a hearty beer like Guinness.
What to serve with beef stew
Beef stew is a hearty and satisfying dinner on its own, but here are some ideas to complement your stew and make it a complete meal:
- Bread: There’s nothing like dipping a slice of warm, crusty bread into the rich broth of your beef stew. Yum! Try a rustic baguette, sourdough, or homemade dinner rolls to soak up all that savory goodness. Cornbread is also a great option.
- Fresh Salad: A light, crisp salad provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty stew.
- Dessert: Finish your meal on a sweet note with a comforting dessert. A classic apple pie, warm brownies, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream would be the perfect ending to your cozy beef stew dinner.
How to store and reheat leftovers
Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, beef stew freezes well and will last up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.
You can reheat stew in the microwave in 30-second increments. You can also reheat it in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring often.
More crockpot recipes for every time of year
Crockpot French Toast Casserole - wake up to the incredible smell of apples and cinnamon in this easy breakfast casserole.
Crockpot Applesauce - nothing beats homemade applesauce and this one is so easy you may never go back to jarred.
Italian Meatloaf - an easy dinner recipe full of ground beef and sausage and covered with marinara.
Crockpot Bourbon Baked Beans - you can't beat homemade baked beans with a touch of bourbon! And it's so easy you may want to make an extra batch.
Find lots of easy crock pot recipes right here on 2CM!
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Crock Pot Old Fashioned Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds stew beef
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 4 potatoes, peeled & cut in eighths
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 28 ounces can diced tomatoes, with liquid
- 14.5 ounces can beef broth
- 3 Tablespoons flour
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 ½ - 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
Instructions
- Place beef, carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, and frozen peas into a slow cooker.
- Sprinkle flour, sugar, salt, pepper, and paprika over the ingredients. Stir.
- Pour in tomatoes with liquid and beef broth.
- Cover and set your slow cooker on high and let cook for 6 hours or set to low and cook 10-12 hours.
- Note: You can also cook this in the oven in a large Dutch oven. Set your oven to 250°F and cook, covered, for 5-6 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
This post has been updated with new photos, step-by-step directions, and more helpful information. It was first published on March 4, 2015.
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