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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe Easy Hearty Comfort Meal

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A hearty and comforting slow cooker beef stew with tender beef chunks, vegetables, and a rich savory broth, perfect for cozy nights and easy meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1 ½-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ½ cup red wine (optional, dry variety like Cabernet)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons flour (or almond flour/cornstarch for gluten-free)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Cut the beef chuck into 1 ½-inch cubes, peel and chop carrots, potatoes, celery, and dice the onion. Mince the garlic. This should take about 15-20 minutes.
  2. Dredge the beef: Toss the beef chunks in flour seasoned lightly with salt and pepper until well-coated.
  3. Brown the beef: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. In batches, sear the beef cubes until golden brown on all sides, about 3 minutes per batch. Do not overcrowd the pan.
  4. Sauté onion and garlic: In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  5. Deglaze the pan: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in red wine (if using) and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer until the wine reduces by half, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Transfer to slow cooker: Add the browned beef, sautéed onion mixture, carrots, potatoes, celery, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
  7. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft but hold their shape.
  8. Finish and season: About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust salt and pepper. Remove bay leaves and discard. If thicker stew is desired, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into the slow cooker. Cook uncovered for the last 15-20 minutes.
  9. Serve warm: Ladle the stew into bowls. Serve with crusty bread or roasted butternut squash on the side.

Notes

Browning the beef before slow cooking adds significant flavor and texture. Use good-quality broth for best taste. Cut vegetables uniformly for even cooking. Avoid over-stirring to prevent mushy vegetables. For gluten-free, substitute flour with almond flour or cornstarch. If stew is too watery, thicken with cornstarch slurry in the last 20 minutes. Variations include swapping potatoes for cauliflower for low-carb, or using mushrooms and vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, hearty beef stew, comfort food, easy beef stew, crockpot stew, slow cooked beef, cozy meal

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-stew-recipe-easy-hearty-comfort-meal/