Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Here’s a cozy Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe! It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a comforting meal with tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich, savory broth.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for browning the meat, optional)

• 4 cups beef broth (low sodium)

• 1 cup water

• 3 medium carrots, sliced

• 3 medium potatoes, diced

• 1 cup diced celery

• 1 cup frozen or fresh peas

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

• 1 bay leaf

• ¼ cup flour or cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef (Optional):

   • Season the beef cubes with salt and black pepper.

   • In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and brown the beef cubes in batches. This step adds extra flavor but is optional.

2. Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker:

   • Add the browned beef (or raw beef, if skipping browning) to the slow cooker.

   • Add the beef broth, water, carrots, potatoes, celery, peas, onion, garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf.

   • Stir to combine.

3. Cook:

   • Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef and vegetables are tender.

4. Thicken the Stew (Optional):

   • To thicken, mix ¼ cup of flour or cornstarch with ¼ cup water to make a slurry. Stir it into the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

5. Season and Serve:

   • Discard the bay leaf and season with additional salt and black pepper if needed.

   • Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

Tips:

• Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

• Serving Suggestion: Enjoy with a slice of crusty bread or warm dinner rolls!

This stew is perfect for cozy evenings—just set it and forget it!