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Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe Easy Comfort Food for Cozy Fall Nights

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This crock pot beef stew is a hearty, comforting meal featuring tender beef, sweet carrots, and potatoes simmered together in a rich, savory broth. It’s the perfect fuss-free dinner for busy fall and winter nights, filling your home with cozy aromas and satisfying every appetite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef stew meat (chuck roast recommended), cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
  • 4 medium potatoes (about 1.3 lbs), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 4 large carrots (about 10 oz), peeled and sliced into thick rounds
  • 3 celery stalks (about 4 oz), chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion (about 7 oz), diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (start with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper)
  • 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free), mixed with 1/4 cup cold water

Instructions

  1. Peel and chop the potatoes and carrots into 1-inch pieces. Dice the onion and celery, and mince the garlic. Cut the beef into 1 1/2-inch cubes if not already done.
  2. Optional: For extra flavor, heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches, turning to get color on all sides. Transfer the browned beef to the crock pot.
  3. Layer the potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion in the crock pot. Sprinkle the minced garlic on top. Place the beef (browned or raw) over the veggies.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture over the ingredients in the crock pot.
  5. Tuck the bay leaves into the stew.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft but not mushy.
  7. In the last 30 minutes of cooking, mix the flour (or cornstarch) with cold water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the hot stew, then add the frozen peas. Cover and cook for another 20-30 minutes until the broth thickens.
  8. Remove the bay leaves. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and enjoy!

Notes

For extra flavor, brown the beef before adding to the crock pot. Cut potatoes and carrots into larger pieces to prevent them from becoming mushy. Always whisk flour or cornstarch with cold water before adding to avoid lumps. You can prep ingredients the night before for a quick morning assembly. This recipe is flexible—swap in your favorite veggies or make it gluten-free by using cornstarch.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, crock pot, slow cooker, comfort food, fall recipes, easy dinner, hearty stew, family meal, one pot meal, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/crock-pot-beef-stew-recipe-easy-comfort-food-for-cozy-fall-nights/