Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This Slow Cooker Beef Stew is made by simmering beef, vegetables, and spices together in a crockpot to make a tender and savory soup. It is the definition of comfort food, perfect for warming you up inside and out.

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Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

Unlike our Classic Beef Stew, this is the best Beef Stew made in a Crockpot, which makes it a great set-it-and-forget-it meal! Slow-cook the stew for hours until the beef is fall-apart tender and full of flavor.

This beef stew recipe consists of hearty beef chuck roast and a variety of vegetables that soften to perfection while cooking. The flavors from all the ingredients meld together as the stew simmers low and slow, making the stew exactly what it should be  — perfect. Serve this next to our Caesar Salad and Sourdough Bread for a complete dinner.

Ingredients for Beef Stew in the Slow Cooker

It’s so simple to create this savory, filling meal with only a few ingredients tossed into a slow cooker. These beef stew ingredients may surprise you, but trust me, they come together in an irresistible dish!

• Beef Chuck Roast – Cut the roast into chunks using a knife or even kitchen shears, and then be sure they are all similarly sized for even cooking.
• Vegetables – onion, carrots, potatoes
• Apple Cider – This adds the perfect level of sweetness without tasting sweet, but just be sure to use the juice, not the vinegar.
• Broth – tomato paste, beef broth, salt, pepper and bay leaf

How to Cook Beef Stew in a Crockpot

One of the best parts about this hearty and comforting Slow Cooker Beef Stew is how easy it is to make. This hearty soup is the perfect make-ahead meal. Simply set it to stew in the morning and then walk away, and then it’ll be ready for you just in time for dinner. 

• Brown the beef: Preheat a skillet on medium-high heat with oil then brown the beef on all sides, and then, once browned, remove the beef and place it in a separate dish. 
• Sauté the onion: In the same skillet, sauté the onion in the leftover oil and beef juices. 
• Combine all ingredients: Add soup ingredients into a crockpot. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7 hours. Beef stew is cooked and ready when the beef is tender and falls apart easily when pierced with a fork.
• Season to taste: Remove bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Why settle on a regular beef stew when you can have an exceptional beef stew? Follow these tips to make your beef stew rich in flavor.

• Brown the beef and onions: For the best flavor and color, make sure to separately sauté and brown the beef and onions over medium-high heat. If the meat seems raw in the center, don’t worry because it will finish cooking while stewing. If you’re pressed for time, you can add these ingredients raw, but browning them really improves the flavor and texture.
• Adjust spices and vegetables: Feel free to add any of your favorite spices or vegetables to diversify the stew. A splash of Worcestershire sauce, a sprinkle of paprika, and sautéed celery are great options. Use what you have in your pantry and refrigerator.
• Avoid rushing the cooking process: For the most tender and flavorful meat, cook the stew long enough, from 4 (on high) to 7 hours (on low). If you’re wondering why beef is still chewy in the slow cooker, it may be because you rushed the cooking process (skip browning the meat or shorten stew cooking time). The meat can remain tough. The longer the stew cooks, the softer the meat will be. 
• Limit cooking time: If the stew cooks for too long (such as overnight), the vegetables can become too tender. Overcooked vegetables will fall apart extremely easily and turn your stew into mush. If you plan to leave the stew in the crockpot, place the setting on “keep warm” after the stew has finished cooking.

How to Thicken Beef Stew

To thicken the stew, make a cornstarch slurry (mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 Tbsp cold water to start) and add to the crockpot at the end. Mix and stew for about 10 minutes or until thickened. Alternatively, add a tablespoon or two of all-purpose flour when initially browning the meat.

To thin beef stew – add more beef broth and season to taste.

What size crockpot is best for beef stew?

This will fit into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. We used an 8-quart slow cooker.

To Serve Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Beef stew is incredibly easy to serve because it’s a meal in itself. It is loaded with protein, vegetables, and carbs all in one. To top it off, serve Crusty French Bread or Soft Dinner Rolls on the side and dip the bread slices into the savory stew. Yum! 

Alternatively, serve the beef stew as an option in a “soup and salad” dinner. For a salad, try Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad, Cobb Salad or Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad.

 More Hearty Beef Recipes

• Beef Stroganoff
• Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
• Beef Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce
• Prime Rib Roast
• Beef Barley Soup
• Slow Cooker Beef Roast
• Meatloaf Recipe
• Beef Chili Recipe
• Sloppy Joes