Hearty Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe Comfort Made Easy
Hearty Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe is the ultimate comfort food when the weather gets chilly. The aroma of tender beef, rustic vegetables, and rich broth fills the kitchen as it slowly cooks to perfection. This recipe is perfect for family gatherings, family crockpot recipes, or even healthy easy dinner ideas for one. You can also scale it down for an easy crockpot dinner for 2, making it versatile enough for any occasion. If you love cozy meals that feel homemade with minimal effort, this dish will become a favorite in your collection of slower cooker meals.
Hearty Crock Pot Beef Stew
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Season beef with salt and pepper, then toss in flour until evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and brown beef in small batches until golden. Transfer to crock pot.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add to the crock pot.
- Add beef broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves to the crock pot. Stir well.
- Add carrots, celery, and potatoes on top. Cover and cook on low for 7–9 hours or high for 4–5 hours.
- Add frozen peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Remove bay leaves, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Nutrition
Notes
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Why you will love this hearty beef stew
This stew is packed with flavor and convenience. The beef becomes fork tender, the potatoes soak up savory broth, and the vegetables add a balance of sweetness. It fits right into your weeknight routine or weekend meal prep. Unlike plain soups, this stew feels indulgent yet wholesome, making it ideal for crock pot pasta meals or served as part of slow cooker chicken and pasta recipes when you want to switch up the protein.
Ingredients for hearty crock pot beef stew
| Ingredient | Measurement | Notes |
| Beef stew meat | 2 pounds | Cut into 1 ½ inch cubes |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon | To season beef |
| Black pepper | ½ teaspoon | Freshly ground |
| All purpose flour | 2 tablespoons | Helps thicken broth |
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon | For browning |
| Onion | 1 large | Chopped |
| Garlic | 3 cloves | Minced |
| Beef broth | 4 cups | Low sodium preferred |
| Diced tomatoes | 1 can (14.5 oz) | Undrained |
| Worcestershire sauce | 1 tablespoon | Deepens flavor |
| Dried thyme | 1 teaspoon | Or use fresh |
| Bay leaves | 2 | Remove before serving |
| Carrots | 3 large | Cut into 1 inch pieces |
| Celery | 3 stalks | Cut into 1 inch pieces |
| Potatoes | 4 medium | Peeled and cubed |
| Frozen peas | 1 cup | Add at the end |
| Fresh parsley | 2 tablespoons | For garnish |
How to make crock pot beef stew
- Season beef with salt and pepper then toss in flour until coated.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and brown beef in small batches until golden. Transfer to the crock pot.
- In the same skillet cook onion and garlic until softened then add to the slow cooker.
- Stir in beef broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves.
- Add carrots, celery, and potatoes on top of the beef. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours until beef and vegetables are tender.
- Add frozen peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Remove bay leaves, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.
For a twist you can stir in a little cream cheese at the end which makes the broth creamy and comforting, just like crockpot recipes with cream cheese or creamy pasta crock pot recipes.
Serving ideas for beef stew
- Serve with crusty bread or garlic butter rolls to soak up the broth.
- Ladle over egg noodles or pasta for a meal similar to crock pot pasta meals.
- Pair with a fresh salad for a lighter balance.
- Double the batch to include in family crockpot recipes for gatherings.
Pro tips for the perfect stew
- Brown beef in batches so each piece caramelizes properly.
- Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes hold their shape better than red potatoes.
- Cooking on low heat gives deeper flavor compared to high heat.
- A spoonful of cream cheese stirred in near the end gives richness similar to fast crockpot chicken recipes and creamy pasta crock pot recipes.
Mistakes to avoid
- Adding peas at the beginning makes them mushy.
- Overfilling with broth makes the stew soupy instead of thick.
- Skipping the flouring step prevents the broth from thickening.
- Rushing the cook time makes beef tough instead of tender.
Storage and reheating tips
| Method | Storage | Reheating |
| Refrigerator | Store up to 4 days in airtight container | Warm gently on stovetop |
| Freezer | Freeze up to 3 months | Thaw overnight and reheat slowly |
| Leftovers | Best flavor the next day | Add splash of broth if thick |
This makes it perfect for meal prepping healthy easy dinner ideas for one or freezing portions for later.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use chicken instead of beef?
Yes, chicken thighs make a lighter version and it will feel like one of your slow cooker chicken and pasta recipes.
Can I make this stew creamy?
Yes, add cream cheese or heavy cream near the end for a variation similar to crockpot recipes with cream cheese.
Can I scale this recipe?
Yes, halve it for an easy crockpot dinner for 2 or double it for larger family crockpot recipes.
Can I prepare ingredients the night before?
Yes, assemble everything in the crock pot insert, refrigerate overnight, and start cooking the next day.
Conclusion
Hearty Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe is a timeless comfort dish that works for every occasion. From healthy easy dinner ideas for one to large family crockpot recipes, this stew brings warmth and flavor with minimal effort. Save this recipe for cold nights or busy days when you want a wholesome homemade meal.
