This Slow Cooker Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food. The hearty chunks of beef, soft potatoes, and mixed vegetables are cooked in a rich, flavorful broth that combines beef broth, red wine, and a mix of herbs and spices. This stew is perfect for impressing family and friends with its deep and exquisite flavors, making it ideal for colder weather or special occasions.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 pounds chuck roast, trimmed and cubed

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ teaspoons salt

• 1 teaspoon pepper

• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

• 4 tablespoons olive oil

• ½ cup dry red wine (e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)

• 1 medium white onion, diced

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

• 7 to 8 cups beef broth

• 3 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (light or reduced sodium)

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 5 cloves garlic, finely minced

• 1 teaspoon beef bouillon

• 1 sprig fresh rosemary (or ½ teaspoon dried)

• 1 sprig fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)

• 2-3 bay leaves

• 2 large Russet potatoes, diced in bite-sized chunks

• 2 ½ cups frozen mixed vegetables

• ¼ cup cornstarch

• ¼ cup cold water

• 2 to 3 drops Kitchen Bouquet (optional)

Directions

1. Prepare the Beef: Cube the chuck roast and toss it in a mixture of flour, salt, pepper, and paprika.

2. Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding. Once browned, transfer the beef to the slow cooker.

3. Deglaze the Pan: Add red wine to the skillet to deglaze, scraping the bottom to loosen any browned bits. Add half the butter and cook the onions for 5 minutes until softened. Add this mixture to the slow cooker.

4. Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in beef broth, tomato paste, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, beef bouillon, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.

5. Add Vegetables: Add the potatoes and mixed vegetables to the slow cooker.

6. Make the Slurry: Mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until smooth, then stir it into the slow cooker.

7. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. If desired, add more broth for a thinner consistency after 4-6 hours of cooking.

8. Finish the Stew: Ten minutes before serving, add the remaining butter and, if desired, Kitchen Bouquet for color. Remove the bay leaves, rosemary, and thyme sprigs.

9. Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with optional toppings like fresh parsley, bread, or cheese.

Nutrients

• Calories: 637 per serving

• Carbohydrates: 28g

• Protein: 53g

• Fat: 34g

  • Saturated Fat: 14g

• Sodium: 5606mg

• Fiber: 4g

• Sugar: 3g

Why Choose Slow Cooker Beef Stew?

This Slow Cooker Beef Stew is the perfect dish for anyone who enjoys a comforting, hearty meal. The beauty of this recipe is that it requires minimal hands-on time, allowing the slow cooker to do the work and create deep, rich flavors that come together effortlessly. The slow cooking method ensures that the beef becomes incredibly tender and infuses the broth with all of the savory goodness of the herbs, spices, and red wine.

Not only is this stew incredibly satisfying, but it’s also very versatile. You can adjust the vegetables to suit your preferences or what’s in season, making it an easy dish to customize. The stew is ideal for large gatherings or as a meal prep option, as it can easily be made ahead of time and reheated for busy weeknights. Additionally, with the rich flavors, it’s a meal that can stand on its own or be served with bread, rice, or a light salad for a complete dinner.

The Key Ingredients for Rich, Flavorful Stew

This stew is made with a variety of ingredients that come together to create a rich and hearty meal. Here’s a closer look at the key components:

• Chuck Roast: The chuck roast is the star of this dish. It’s a flavorful cut of beef that, when cubed and slow-cooked, becomes tender and juicy, adding a rich, meaty flavor to the stew.

• Red Wine: A half-cup of dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, adds depth to the broth and enhances the flavor of the beef. The wine helps tenderize the meat and adds a touch of acidity and richness to the stew.

• Beef Broth and Tomato Paste: These ingredients form the base of the stew, providing a savory liquid that complements the beef and vegetables. The tomato paste adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.

• Herbs and Seasonings: Fresh rosemary and thyme (or their dried counterparts) provide earthy, aromatic notes. Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, garlic, and beef bouillon add savory umami, while cumin and smoked paprika contribute warmth and richness. Bay leaves provide an additional layer of flavor.

• Vegetables: The diced potatoes and mixed vegetables add substance to the stew, making it more filling. The potatoes absorb the flavors of the broth while maintaining their texture, while the vegetables offer bursts of sweetness and color.

• Cornstarch Slurry: This simple mixture of cornstarch and cold water thickens the stew, giving it a rich, hearty consistency that coats the beef and vegetables.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This beef stew is simple to prepare and relies on the slow cooker to infuse the ingredients with flavor while you focus on other tasks.

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

Cube the chuck roast into bite-sized pieces. Toss the beef in a mixture of flour, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika to coat it evenly. This step helps the beef brown beautifully and adds flavor to the stew.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and brown the beef in batches. Browning the beef enhances the flavor and creates those tasty caramelized bits that will later infuse the stew. Once browned, transfer the beef to the slow cooker.

Step 3: Deglaze the Pan

Add red wine to the skillet to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This process adds additional flavor to the stew. Once the wine is in, add half of the butter and sauté the diced onions for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add this mixture to the slow cooker.

Step 4: Add Broth and Seasonings

Pour in the beef broth, tomato paste, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, beef bouillon, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves into the slow cooker. Stir to combine everything well.

Step 5: Add Vegetables

Add the diced potatoes and mixed vegetables to the slow cooker. These will cook down and soften as the stew simmers, absorbing the rich flavors of the broth.

Step 6: Make the Slurry

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the stew to help thicken it. The cornstarch will give the broth a silky, creamy texture.

Step 7: Slow Cook

Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. The low and slow cooking process ensures the beef becomes incredibly tender and that all the flavors meld together. If the stew is too thick for your liking, you can add more beef broth during cooking.

Step 8: Finish the Stew

About 10 minutes before serving, stir in the remaining butter for a silky finish. If desired, add a few drops of Kitchen Bouquet for color. Remove the bay leaves, rosemary, and thyme sprigs before serving.

Step 9: Serve

Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or spices to suit your preference. Serve the stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired, and with a side of crusty bread or over a bed of rice.

Nutritional Information for Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This hearty beef stew offers a well-rounded meal with a good balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. With approximately 637 calories per serving, it’s a filling dish that provides 53 grams of protein, making it perfect for those looking for a protein-packed meal. The fat content is 34 grams per serving, with 14 grams coming from saturated fat, so it’s ideal for those who need a bit of richness to feel satisfied.

The stew provides 28 grams of carbohydrates, including 4 grams of fiber. While the sodium content (5606mg per serving) is quite high, it can be adjusted by using lower-sodium broth and controlling the amount of added salt. The 3 grams of sugar come from the natural sweetness of the vegetables and the small amount of tomato paste.

Customizing Your Beef Stew

This recipe is incredibly flexible and can be adjusted based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences:

• Vegetables: Feel free to add or swap out vegetables based on what you like. Consider adding parsnips, celery, or mushrooms for more depth and variety.

• Spices: Adjust the seasoning to suit your taste. You can add a dash of hot sauce or more cayenne pepper for extra heat or throw in a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky twist.

• Meat Substitutes: If you prefer a leaner stew, you can use a different cut of beef, like sirloin or round. For a lighter version, consider using ground turkey or chicken.

Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This beef stew is hearty and can be served on its own, but you can pair it with a variety of sides to make the meal even more satisfying:

• Bread: Serve the stew with a slice of crusty bread, cornbread, or garlic bread to soak up the rich broth.

• Rice or Quinoa: Serve the stew over rice or quinoa for an extra hearty dish that will absorb the savory broth.

• Green Salad: A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette would complement the richness of the stew perfectly.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food, offering tender beef, soft vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth that will warm you up on even the coldest days. With a minimal amount of hands-on time and the slow cooker doing the heavy lifting, this stew is perfect for busy days when you want something comforting and satisfying. Whether served on its own or with a side of bread or rice, this stew is sure to become a family favorite that’s perfect for both casual dinners and special occasions.