This Crock Pot Beef Stew is a hearty meal on a cold fall or winter day. It is warm, satisfying and full of tender beef and vegetables. The best part is that it takes little to know effort to make.
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Crock Pot Facts
The technique of low-and-slow cooking has been around since the 18th century, but the slow cooker appliance was developed in the 1930s. The ceramic pot acts as both a cooking container and a heat reservoir. The slow cooker’s low temperature, generally between 170 and 280 degrees F, and lengthy cooking time destroys bacteria.
Why This Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe is a Keeper
This is such a great meal for a busy weeknight or relaxing weekend. Serve with your favorite rolls or corn bread for a delicious dinner. Follow here for some mistakes to avoid.
- 15 Minute Prep: It is one of the easiest beef stew I have ever made.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry or fridge. I have made the beef stew with many vegetables. Use ones you have had on hand.
- Adaptable: Can make in a large pot on the stove top or in the pressure cooker.
If you’re looking for more Crock Pot recipes, try these Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy, Crock Pot Sticky Chicken Thighs and Crock Pot Stuffing and Chicken.
What is the best cut of beef for stew?
Chuck is the most common cut of beef for stew. It comes from the shoulder area of the cow and is also known as gravy beef or braising steak. It is best for low and slow cooking methods.
Ingredient Notes for Slow Cooker Beef Stew
This beef stew uses ingredients that you have on hand. If you make this recipe you can use many different variations to make it your own.
- Diced Beef: Beef chuck roast or pot roast cubes are an ideal cut for this recipe.
- Tomato: Tomato puree and diced tomatoes.
- Vegetables: Carrots, red potatoes, onions and mushrooms.
- Onion Soup Mix: This little packet impacts all the flavor to the stew.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Crock Pot Beef Stew
- Better than Boullion: In place of the beef broth for this traditional beef stew.
- Cooking variation: Feel free to make this recipe in the instant pot for a quicker version of this dish. The pressure cooker version will produce a tender beef stew.
Special Equipment Needed to Make Beef Stew
There is no need to use this exact recipe, however, it is super easy and convient to make this recipe in the crock pot.
- Slow Cooker: Cooking the stew low and sow is the best way to make this recipe.
How to Make this Recipe for the Best Slow Cooker Beef Stew
You can follow the recipe exactly or put your own spin on the slow cooker beef stew recipe. This is one of the best beef stew i’ve ever made. The beef is tender the vegetables are delicious and it is such an easy beef stew recipe.
These are the basic steps for making Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Prep
First, place a slow cooker liner in the crock pot. Then cut your carrot, potatoes, onions and mushrooms. Cube your beef if necessary. Next place the stew meat and vegetables into the pot.
STEP 2: Pour in Beef Broth
Then pour the tomatoes over the top and then add the beef broth, spices and garlic. Cover with water.
STEP 3:Cover and Cook on Low
Set the pot to low with a cook time of 5 hours.
Recipe FAQs for the Best Beef Stew
Expert Tips for Making This Slow Cooker Recipe
This recipe for beef stew is a delicious recipe but if you try this recipe, you can make it your own by trying some of these tips and tricks.
- Stew with Red Wine: Enhance the recipe by adding red wine in place of some of the beef broth in this easy slow cooker beef stew.
- Different Vegetables: In place of the carrots and potatoes you can add ones such as rutabaga, parsnips or turnips.
- Herbs in Beef Stew: Many are great, such as: rosemary, oregano. tarragon or thyme.
- Variation tip: In place of regular beef you can use lamb, venison or even chicken for this great recipe.
What to Serve with this Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe
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Crock Pot Beef Stew
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds diced beef
- 24 ounces Tomato puree
- 14 ounces Diced tomatoes
- 2-3 Water, enough to cover ingredients, use can from diced tomatoes (2/3 cans)
- 2 Carrots, sliced
- 3 Potatoes, cubed
- 1 Onion, diced
- 1 cup Mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon Garlic, or 2 cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons Beef bouillon powder
- 2 ounces Onion Soup Mix, or spice of your choice
Instructions
- Place meat and veg in slow cooker.
- Pour can of tomatoes and passata over the top.
- Sprinkle over stock, spices and garlic.
- Add water to cover.
- Cook on low for 5 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve with bread of your choice.
Christina’s Notes
- Stew with Red Wine: Enhance the recipe by adding red wine in place of some of the beef broth in this easy slow cooker beef stew.
- Different Vegetables: In place of the carrots and potatoes you can add ones such as rutabaga, parsnips or turnips.
- Herbs in Beef Stew: Many are great, such as: rosemary, oregano. tarragon or thyme.
- Variation tip: In place of regular beef you can use lamb, venison or even chicken for this great recipe.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
So flavorful. I love the spice.