Slow cooker beef stew
A hearty Crock Pot Beef Stew, brimming with tender beef, potatoes, and carrots, slow-cooked to perfection, is the ultimate comfort food. This effortless recipe fills your home with savory aromas and creates a deeply satisfying meal everyone will adore.
Perfect for busy days or chilly evenings, this one-pot wonder brings together simple ingredients in a rich, flavorful gravy. Each bite delivers melt-in-your-mouth meat and perfectly cooked vegetables that will leave your family coming back for seconds.
Main Ingredients for Crock Pot Beef Stew
- Beef stew meat – The foundation of this dish, slow-cooked to become tender and flavorful.
- Potatoes – Add substance and soak up the rich, savory broth.
- Baby carrots – Provide sweetness and vibrant color to the stew.
- Onion – Enhances the depth of flavor with its aromatic, slightly sweet essence.
- Cream of celery soup – Creates a creamy, comforting base for the gravy.
- Ketchup – Adds tangy sweetness and a tomato-forward touch to balance the flavors.
- Dry onion soup mix – A blend of seasonings that infuses the dish with a savory depth.
- Paprika – Adds a subtle smoky warmth to the stew.
How to Make This Comforting Crock Pot Beef Stew
- Prep the beef: Toss the stew meat with dry onion soup mix and paprika for a flavorful coating.
- Layer the ingredients: Arrange the beef, potatoes, carrots, and onion in the crock pot for optimal cooking.
- Mix the sauce: Combine cream of celery soup and ketchup until smooth, then pour over the layers.
- Slow cook: Let the crock pot work its magic on low heat for 7-8 hours until everything is tender and delicious.
- Serve: Gently stir the stew and serve warm for a hearty meal.
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Beef Stew
For added depth, sear the beef before adding it to the crock pot. This extra step caramelizes the meat and enhances the overall flavor. Feel free to substitute ketchup with tomato sauce for a less sweet, more robust tomato taste. Adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can elevate the dish with aromatic notes.
If you prefer a thicker gravy, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This gives the stew a velvety finish.
Storing and Reheating Crock Pot Beef Stew
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm in a pot over low heat, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated. For longer storage, freeze in portioned containers for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Crock Pot Beef Stew, an effortless dish that’s big on flavor and perfect for any occasion.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat or boneless beef roast cut into 1-inch cubes
- 5 medium potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 2 packages 1 ounce each dry onion soup mix
- 2 to 3 cups baby carrots
- 1 cup ketchup or substitute with tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cans 10 ounces each cream of celery soup
Instructions
- Combine the dry onion soup mix and paprika in a large resealable plastic bag. Add the beef pieces and shake until the meat is evenly coated with the seasoning. If necessary, perform this step in batches to ensure thorough coverage.
- Evenly spread the seasoned meat in a greased 7-quart crock pot. Layer the diced potatoes, baby carrots, and chopped onion over the beef.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cream of celery soup and ketchup, stirring until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the meat and vegetables in the crock pot.
- Secure the lid on the crock pot and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours, or until the meat is tender and fully cooked, and the vegetables are soft. Gently stir to combine before serving.