BEST SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW

Published by Jessica on January 31, 2023

This Best Slow Cooker Beef Stew is made with tender beef chuck, hearty potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions, all simmered in a rich blend of beef broth, red wine, and warm herbs. Simple seasonings and classic vegetables come together for a comforting, flavor-packed stew!

crockpot beef stew in a bowl with a spoon

This Crock Pot Beef Stew is one of our families favorite meals when the weather turns cold. We could happily eat soup or stew every night from November through March. This recipe is the result of years of testing to create the best slow cooker beef stew—it hits the spot every time. Don’t just take my word for it… this recipe was even featured on Today.com as one of the top Beef Stew recipes to try Is this real life?!?!

Recipe Highlights

Rich, Comforting Flavor – Tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a perfectly seasoned broth come together for a cozy, classic stew that tastes like it simmered all day.
Easy Slow Cooker Prep – Simple ingredients, minimal prep, and the crock pot does all the work—perfect for busy days or lazy weekends.
Crowd-Pleaser Approved – A tried-and-true recipe that’s been tested, loved, and even recognized by Today.com as a must-try beef stew.

beef stew in a ceramic bowl with a handle

Slow Cooker Beef Stew ingredients

Beef: Use 2 lbs. trimmed beef chuck- cut into 2 inch cubes. You can also use stew meat, a roast that you’ve cut up. I’ve even used steak I had in my freezer too long!

Flour: Coat the meat with ¼ cup of flour. If desired, add ½ tsp seasoned mean tenderizer to the mixture.

Seasonings: To season this dish perfectly, use 1 bay leaf, ½ tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried parsley, ½ tsp allspice, 2 tsp cornstarch, and salt & pepper, to taste.

two bowls of crockpot beef stew with large spoons

Oil: Fry up the meat in 4 TBSP olive oil just for a quick sear.

Wine: You’ll deglaze the pan using 1 cup red cooking wine. Use what you have on hand, or, if you prefer, you can use grape juice, or even more beef broth instead.

Broth: Add 1 cup beef stock, or canned beef broth, for the gravy.

Vegetables: Combine one 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes-drained, 2 tsp minced garlic, 5-10 red potatoes- diced, 1 medium onion- chopped, 2 cups carrots- sliced (about 3-4 will give you 2 cups), 2 cups celery- sliced (about 3-4 stalks), and one 8-oz can sliced mushrooms- optional.

Tips on making the BEST Homemade Slow Cooker Beef Stew:

The most time consuming part of making homemade stew is chopping and dicing all the vegetables and meat. By splitting up these tasks and getting them done ahead of time, it’s helpful.

Make your own pre-made Mirepoix mixture: I almost always have prepared homemade mirepoix {carrots-onion-celery} sliced and frozen. This saves a huge amount of time, plus it’s so useful to have this mix on hand all winter long.

Prepare your meat ahead of time: Defrost the meat a few days before, then the night before, dice the meat into 1″-2″ chunks and sprinkle seasoned meat tenderizer as well as the 1/4 cup of flour on it. I just put it all in a large zip lock bag so that I can mix the flour up with the meat easily. (Meat tenderizer can be found on the spices/ seasonings aisle of the grocery store.)

Potato Prep work: Another task you can do the night before is to scrub and cut up the potatoes. Starch is released from the potatoes when you cut them and it will cause them to darken, so make sure you submerge them in water to prevent this discoloration. I put them in a large Tupperware, then cover them with water.

Best type of meat to use for Beef Stew

Beef stew is the perfect recipe for using inexpensive cuts of meat because low, slow cooking in the crock pot makes them incredibly tender. There’s nothing more disappointing than putting in the effort only to end up with tough, chewy beef. I prefer using a beef chuck roast, cut into 1–1½ inch chunks, which consistently gives the best results. If you’re using store-bought stew meat, sprinkle it with seasoned meat tenderizer and let it sit overnight, and if you’re on a tight budget, cooked ground beef can work in a pinch too.

How long is Crockpot Beef Stew good for?

Let the beef stew cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for 3–4 days.

For longer storage, the stew can be frozen in freezer-safe, portion-sized containers for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.

BEST SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW

Best Slow Cooker Beef Stew is made with tender beef chuck, hearty potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions, all simmered in a rich blend of beef broth, red wine, and warm herbs. Simple seasonings and classic vegetables come together for a comforting, flavor-packed stew!

4.89 from 80 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: beef, Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: beef stew recipe, crock pot beef stew, slow cooker beef stew

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 7

Total Time: 7 30

Servings: servings

Calories: 341kcal

Author: Jessica & Nellie

Ingredients

2 lbs trimmed beef chuck cut into 1-2-inch cubes
¼ flour tossed with meat to coat (OPTIONAL: add ½ tsp seasoned meat tenderizer)
1 bay leaf
½ tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried parsley
½ tsp allspice
2 tsp cornstarch
salt & pepper, to taste
4 TBSP olive oil
1 cup red cooking wine
1 cup beef stock or canned beef broth
2 tsp minced garlic
5-10 red potatoes diced
1 medium onion chopped
2 cups sliced carrots about 3-4
2 cups sliced celery 3-4 stalks
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes drained
8 oz container of sliced mushrooms (optional)

Instructions

Turn crockpot on low. Toss all vegetables and meat in the crockpot. Combine spices {except bay leaf}, oil, cooking wine, beef broth and whisk lightly to combine. Pour over meat and vegetables. Add in bay leaf.
Give it stew a light stir, cover and cook on low for 9-10 hours, medium 7-8 hours, high 6-7 hours.
To thicken stew, about 30 minutes prior to serving, ladle out about ½ cup of liquid from the stew. Whisk in 2 tsp cornstarch and add it back to the stew, stirring gently to combine.

MORE DEVELOPED FLAVOR METHOD: takes 15-20 additional minutes

Put potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and celery in the crockpot. Have the beef broth and cooking wine measured out and ready.
Heat a frying pan up on high. Add in 2 TBSP oil and minced garlic. Once pan is hot, add beef. Sear beef for about 2 minutes on each side. Transfer beef out of pan after 5 minutes.
Do not wash the pan! The technical term here is deglazing- we’re going to add liquid that will help loosen up and remove the flavorful meat remnants on the bottom of the pan. Return pan to hot stove top and add remaining 2 TBSP of oil. Once oil is hot, add in the onions. Wait about 3-4 minutes until the onions are beginning to be translucent and are sizzling. Add in cooking wine and beef broth. Once the liquid begins to boil, turn off the heat and pour entire mixture into the crockpot.
Add spices and seasonings, mushrooms and bay leaf. Stir lightly to combine. Continue to follow the same steps as above for cooking and completion.

Video

Notes

Let the beef stew cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days or freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

Nutrition

📫 Save this recipe! Send it to your email! 📩

I consent to receiving emails from this site.

Tried this recipe?Mention @jessicalovesbutter or tag #jessicalovesbutter!

Do I have to sear the beef first?

Searing adds extra flavor, but it’s optional. If you’re short on time, you can skip it and still end up with a delicious stew.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely. Beef stew tastes even better the next day and can be made 1–2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

What do you serve with Beef Slow Cooker Stew?

Beef Stew is a hearty one-pot meal that doesn’t need much else to complete the meal. My recipe has lots of vegetables and lean beef so it’s hearty and good for you. Even still, I love sopping up beef stew with a piece of Homemade French Bread! Want a bread recipe that’s faster to make? Try our Easy 30-Minute Dinner Rolls. Finish off the meal with Rocky Road Cheesecake or Snickerdoodle Cookies. Enjoy!

How do you add flavor to crockpot stew?

Here are a few easy ways to boost the flavor of your beef stew. First, use seasoned meat tenderizer—it contains a great blend of spices that adds depth while also helping tenderize the beef. I recommend sprinkling about 1½ teaspoons over the beef after cutting it into chunks.

Second, make a richer beef broth by using a store-bought broth concentrate (granules, cubes, or paste) and mixing it stronger than directed. Using 1½ times—or even double—the concentrate adds extra savory flavor.

Finally, follow the recipe as written and include all the ingredients. This stew builds flavor with onion, garlic, cooking wine, bay leaf, thyme, parsley, and more, and skipping ingredients can change the final taste. For the most flavorful results, try using all three tips and let the slow cooker do the rest.

Try more filling & delicious beef dinner recipes here:

Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Roast is the ultimate “set it and forget it” dinner—fall-apart tender with a bold, sweet-savory flavor that tastes like you worked on it all day.
These Coca Cola Burgers are juicy, slightly sweet, and unexpectedly addictive in the best way. One bite in and you’ll get why they disappear fast.
This Dutch Oven Cube Steak & Gravy is classic comfort food done right—rich, savory gravy and melt-in-your-mouth steak that feels like a slow-simmered hug.
Our Mini Cheddar Meatloaves are cheesy, juicy, and topped with a sweet-tangy glaze that makes every bite pop. Fun, family-friendly, and way better than the standard loaf.
This Ritz Cracker Meatloaf is cozy, cheesy, and packed with flavor in every bite—one of those easy dinners you make once and immediately put on repeat.

amazing beef stew recipe made in the slow cooker

Best Crock Pot Beef Stew recipe made with tender chunks of beef, loads of vegetables and a simple mixture of broth and spices that yields incredible home style beef stew.

BEST SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW

📫 Save this recipe! Send it to your email! 📩

Recipe Highlights

Slow Cooker Beef Stew ingredients

Tips on making the BEST Homemade Slow Cooker Beef Stew:

Best type of meat to use for Beef Stew

How long is Crockpot Beef Stew good for?