Slow Cooker Beef Stew

There’s nothing quite like a comforting bowl of Slow Cooker Beef Stew on a crisp fall or winter day. This hearty recipe features tender chunks of beef, golden potatoes, carrots, onions, peas, and garlic—all slowly simmered in a rich, flavorful broth with a splash of red wine. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of savory, tender, and cozy.

It’s the ultimate comfort food—perfect with warm biscuits, cornbread, or even spooned over creamy mashed potatoes.

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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Classic comfort food: Perfect for chilly days and cozy nights.
• Effortless cooking: Let your slow cooker do the work.
• Rich flavor: A delicious mix of beef, wine, herbs, and hearty vegetables.
• Perfect texture: Tender beef and melt-in-your-mouth potatoes in a thick, flavorful sauce.

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🥕 Ingredients

• 2 lbs chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes (or rump/bottom round)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• ½ tsp celery salt
• ⅓ cup flour, for coating
• 2 Tbsp butter, divided
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup red wine (or see substitute below)
• 4 cups beef broth
• 3 cups baby potatoes, halved (Yukon Gold or red)
• 3 large carrots, sliced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary (or ½ tsp dried)
• 1 cup peas (added at the end)
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch + ¼ cup water, for thickening
• 1 tsp browning and seasoning sauce (optional)

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🍲 How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew

1. Prep the Beef:
   Cut beef into cubes, trimming excess fat (marbled fat is fine). Season with pepper, garlic salt, and celery salt. Toss with flour to coat evenly.
2. Sear the Meat:
   Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet. Sear beef cubes in batches for about 45 seconds per side until lightly browned. Transfer to your slow cooker.
3. Sauté the Aromatics:
   In the same skillet, melt another tablespoon of butter. Add onions and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant. Deglaze with a splash of red wine, scraping up any browned bits, then transfer everything to the slow cooker.
4. Add Remaining Ingredients:
   Add potatoes, carrots, bay leaves, rosemary, wine, and beef broth. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours, until vegetables are tender.
5. Finish the Stew:
   During the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in peas. To thicken, whisk cornstarch and cold water together and slowly stir it into the stew. Turn off the heat, remove bay leaves and rosemary stem, and swirl in 2 tablespoons of cold butter for a silky finish.

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🍷 Red Wine Substitute

If you prefer not to cook with wine, replace it with:

• 1 cup beef broth or red grape juice, plus
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar for acidity.

For an Irish twist, try using 1 cup Guinness stout instead!

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🧡 Pro Tips

• Best beef: Chuck roast is ideal—it’s budget-friendly, flavorful, and becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender after slow cooking.
• Handle beef gently: Avoid over-handling to keep it juicy.
• Don’t skip searing: Browning adds deep flavor to the stew.
• Velvety finish: Stir in cold butter at the end for a restaurant-quality texture.
• Make it your own: Add celery, green beans, sweet potatoes, or parsnips for variety.

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🥔 Best Potatoes for Stew

Use Yukon Gold or red potatoes—they hold their shape beautifully and don’t fall apart like russets.

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🧊 Storage & Freezing

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm on the stove over low heat until hot throughout.

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🍽️ What to Serve With Beef Stew

• Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits
• Classic Cornbread
• Mashed Potatoes
• Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls
• Cheddar Bay Biscuits

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🧂 Tools You’ll Need

• 6-Quart Slow Cooker
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring spoons
• Chef’s knife and cutting board
• Soup bowls or crocks

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🕒 Recipe Summary

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours (Low) or 4 hours (High)
Total Time: 8–8½ hours
Servings: 6

Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American Comfort Food

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📝 Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Beef Stew is everything you love about home cooking—warm, hearty, and deeply satisfying. Each spoonful is loaded with tender beef, buttery potatoes, and a rich, savory broth that tastes like it’s been simmering all day (because it has!).