Oh my goodness, you know those days when you just want to come home to a warm, comforting meal without any fuss? That’s exactly why I adore this easy crock pot beef stew recipe! It’s like a cozy hug in a bowl—tender beef, hearty veggies, and rich broth that practically cooks itself while you go about your day. I’ve lost count of how many times this recipe has saved me on busy weeknights or chilly weekends. And the best part? You literally just toss everything in the crock pot and let the magic happen. No fancy skills required—just pure, delicious comfort food!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe
Let me tell you why this recipe has become my go-to comfort meal—
- Minimal prep, maximum flavor: Just chop, dump, and walk away (seriously, it’s that simple!)
- Hands-off cooking: Your crock pot does all the work while you tackle life
- Rich, deep flavors: The slow cooking makes even budget beef taste luxurious
- Total crowd-pleaser: Picky kids and hungry adults all come back for seconds
Trust me, once you try this set-it-and-forget-it magic, you’ll understand why my family begs for it all winter long!
Ingredients for Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew
Here’s everything you’ll need for this soul-warming stew—simple ingredients that pack a punch of flavor:
- 1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cubed (chuck roast works beautifully)
- 4 cups beef broth (homemade or store-bought—just make sure it’s good quality!)
- 3 carrots, sliced (about 1/2-inch thick—trust me, they’ll soften perfectly)
- 2 potatoes, diced (I prefer Yukon Golds for their buttery texture)
- 1 onion, chopped (yellow onions add the best sweetness)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder in a pinch)
- 1 tsp each thyme and rosemary (fresh or dried—both work great)
- 1 bay leaf (the secret flavor booster!)
- Salt and pepper to taste (I use about 1 tsp salt to start)
Ingredient Substitutions & Notes
No worries if you need to swap things out—this stew is super forgiving:
- For extra richness, toss in a few strips of turkey bacon with the beef
- Use sweet potatoes instead of regular for a fun twist (reduce cook time by 30 mins)
- Need to thicken it up? Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water and stir in during last 30 minutes
- Vegetarians—try portobello mushrooms in place of beef (but reduce cook time to 4 hours)
How to Make Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew
Alright, let’s get this hearty stew going! I promise it’s foolproof—just follow these simple steps:
- Prep your ingredients: Chop everything first so you can just toss it all in. Trust me, future-you will thank past-you for this step.
- For extra flavor (optional but amazing): Heat a skillet over medium-high and brown your beef cubes in batches. Don’t crowd the pan—just 2-3 minutes per side until they get that gorgeous caramel color. Those crispy bits = flavor gold!
- The dump-and-go magic: Place everything—beef, carrots, potatoes, onion, garlic, broth, and seasonings—right into your crock pot. Give it one quick stir to distribute the spices.
- Set it and forget it: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours (my favorite for fall-apart tender beef) or HIGH for 4-5 hours if you’re in a hurry.
- Thicken it up (optional): 30 minutes before serving, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water until smooth. Stir it into the bubbling stew—it’ll thicken beautifully as it finishes cooking.
- Fish out that bay leaf (nobody wants to bite into that!), taste for salt, and serve piping hot!
Pro Tips for Perfect Beef Stew
After making this stew more times than I can count, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Don’t overfill your crock pot—keep it 2/3 full max so everything cooks evenly.
- Resist stirring! Every time you lift the lid, you lose heat. Only peek if absolutely necessary.
- Cut veggies evenly—bigger chunks won’t turn to mush during the long cook time.
- Low and slow wins—the longer cook time on LOW gives the beef that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Serving Suggestions for Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew
This cozy stew shines all on its own, but here’s how I love to serve it for maximum comfort:
- Crusty bread is a must! I tear chunks right off a warm baguette for dipping (those broth-soaked bites are heavenly).
- A simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly.
- For chilly nights, add a dollop of mashed potatoes right in the bowl—trust me, it’s pure bliss.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
This stew actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen! Here’s how to keep it tasting fresh:
- Fridge: Store in airtight containers for 3-4 days. That thick broth gets even more luxurious overnight!
- Freezer: Cool completely, then freeze for up to 2 months. I portion mine in single-serving containers for quick meals.
- Reheating: Thaw overnight in the fridge (if frozen), then warm gently on the stove over medium-low, stirring occasionally. Or microwave in 1-minute bursts, stirring between each.
Pro tip: Add a splash of broth when reheating if it thickens too much—it’ll bring it right back to perfection!
Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe FAQs
I get questions about this stew all the time! Here are the most common ones my friends and family ask:
Can I use chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Swap in chicken thighs (they hold up better than breasts) and use chicken broth instead of beef. Cook time stays about the same—just until the chicken shreds easily with a fork.
My stew turned out watery—help!
No worries! Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water until smooth, stir it into the hot stew, and let it cook uncovered for 20-30 minutes. It’ll thicken right up!
Can I add other veggies?
Please do! Toss in peas, green beans, or celery during the last hour of cooking. Root vegetables like parsnips or turnips can go in at the beginning.
Is it okay to cook this stew on high the whole time?
You can, but low and slow really makes the beef incredibly tender. If you’re short on time, 4-5 hours on high works—just check that the beef is fork-tender before serving.
Nutritional Information
Here’s the breakdown per serving (based on my recipe!): Calories 320, Fat 12g, Carbs 25g, Protein 28g. Remember—nutritional values are estimates and will change depending on your exact ingredients and portion sizes.
I’d love to hear how your stew turns out! Drop me a note below if you try it—nothing makes me happier than seeing your cozy meal creations. For more delicious recipes, check out RecipeTin Eats.
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Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A hearty and easy-to-make beef stew cooked in a crock pot, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
- 4 cups beef broth
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place beef cubes in the crock pot.
- Add carrots, potatoes, onion, and garlic.
- Pour in beef broth and sprinkle with thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Add the bay leaf.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
- Remove bay leaf before serving.
Notes
- For a thicker stew, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir into the stew 30 minutes before serving.
- You can add peas or green beans for extra vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
