Go Back Email Link
–+ servings

Slow Cooker Stew Meat and Potatoes

Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew is made with tender chunks of stew meat, tons of vegetables and a tasty, rich broth making this easy beef stew recipe the perfect slow cooker comfort food.
This old fashioned beef stew recipe is made with tender chunks of stew meat and chopped potatoes, onion and carrots all simmered in a rich beef stew broth made without using any wine. Robust, hearty and easy to make, this basic crock pot beef stew is the perfect comfort food.
Heather
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Serving Size 8

Ingredients

Stew Meat Dredge

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Beef Stew

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 1/2 pounds stew meat or chuck roast cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 4 large russet potatoes cut in 1 inch pieces
  • 4 large carrots cut in 1 inch pieces
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 32 ounces beef stock
  • 2 tablespoon cornstarch
  • fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • To make this Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe, start by adding vegetable oil to a large skillet and heat over medium high heat while adding flour and dredge seasonings to a medium sized bowl.  
  • Toss your stew meat chunks in the flour and then move to the heated skillet and cook your meat for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently. until browned on all sides. You want to cook your meat in a single layer in the skillet so you may need to split the stew meat into to cooking batches. 
  • Once cooked, move the stew meat to your slow cooker along with your onion, garlic, potatoes, carrots, tomato paste, soy sauce and beef broth. Lightly stir together, cover and cook on Low for 7 - 8 hours or on High for 4 hours. 
  • Scoop out 2 tablespoons of the broth and whisk in the cornstarch. Pour back into the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cook for another 15 minutes on High to thicken the sauce and then garnish with fresh parsley and serve up with good, crusty bread.

Notes

  • By letting your beef stew simmer in a slow cooker all day, you are guaranteed tender chunks of meat. Stop lifting the lid, let the crockpot do it's job! :)
  • Grabbing a chuck roast is the perfect meat for this stew. You want meat that has a bit of fat (for flavor) and slow cooking it allows the meat time to tenderize.
  • Don't skip searing the meat! Browning the stew meat before adding to the crockpot gives the meat extra deep, rich flavor. 
  • Adding fresh herbs at the end of the stew cooking time adds a whole new layer of delicate flavor. Sprinkle on fresh parsley, thyme or rosemary before serving.