Description
Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew brings robust flavors and tender meat to your dinner table with minimal effort. Rich beef chunks mingle with root vegetables, creating a comforting meal you’ll savor down to the last satisfying spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
Vegetables:
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing)
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening, optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the meat by coating beef cubes with a seasoned flour mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly dusted with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor and texture.
- Create a golden crust on the beef by searing the floured cubes in hot olive oil, developing rich caramelization and sealing in the meat’s natural juices.
- Construct the stew’s flavor foundation by layering tender beef with robust root vegetables like carrots and potatoes, complemented by aromatic onions and garlic.
- Enhance the dish’s depth with umami-rich ingredients such as tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, while introducing earthy herbs like thyme and rosemary.
- Infuse the stew with savory beef broth, allowing the bay leaf to release its subtle essence throughout the cooking process.
- Slow-cook the mixture on low temperature for approximately 7-8 hours, transforming tough meat fibers into meltingly tender morsels that easily break apart with a fork.
- During the final stage of cooking, create a luxurious consistency by whisking cornstarch with water and gently incorporating it into the stew.
- Add sweet green peas to introduce a vibrant color and fresh flavor contrast in the final moments of cooking.
- Complete the dish by discarding the bay leaf and garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a bright, herbaceous finish.
- Serve the hearty stew piping hot alongside crusty artisan bread, perfect for soaking up the rich, flavorful sauce.
Notes
- Choose lean beef cuts like chuck or round for tender, flavorful results that melt in your mouth.
- Searing beef before slow cooking locks in rich flavors and creates a beautiful golden-brown crust that adds depth to the stew.
- Mix different root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for extra nutrition and a unique flavor profile that keeps the dish interesting.
- Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg