Make this hearty, tender beef stew in your slow cooker for a comforting family dinner with minimal prep time. This recipe delivers rich flavor perfect for cozy nights.
Author:kate
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:8 hours
Total Time:8 hours 20 min
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Slow Cooking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 medium carrots, peeled and thickly sliced
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold water
1 cup frozen peas (added at the end)
Instructions
Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Brown the beef in batches until seared on all sides. Transfer the browned beef to the crockpot.
Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
Transfer the onion and garlic mixture to the crockpot.
Pour in the beef broth, diced tomatoes (with juice), Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper into the crockpot. Stir to combine.
Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6 hours.
Add the carrots and potatoes to the crockpot. Stir gently.
Cover and continue cooking on LOW for another 2 to 3 hours, or until the beef and vegetables are tender.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and cold water until smooth to create a slurry.
Remove the bay leaf from the stew. Stir the slurry into the stew mixture.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened.
Stir in the frozen peas during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Serve hot.
Notes
For the richest gravy flavor, sear the beef well before adding it to the slow cooker.
If you prefer a deeper color, add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste with the onions.
Taste the stew before serving and adjust salt and pepper as needed.