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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Stew – Easy Family Favorite

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This cozy slow cooker beef stew is a weeknight lifesaver and a bowl of pure comfort. With melt-in-your-mouth tender beef and a rich, savory broth, it’s the perfect family meal that requires minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1½-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons cold water

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear the beef for 2-3 minutes per side until deeply browned. Transfer the seared beef to the slow cooker.
  2. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Transfer everything to the slow cooker.
  3. Pour about ½ cup of the beef broth into the hot skillet and stir to deglaze. Pour this into the slow cooker along with the remaining broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
  4. Tuck the carrots, potatoes, and celery into the broth around the beef. Do not add the peas yet.
  5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the potatoes are soft.
  6. About 30 minutes before serving, make the cornstarch slurry by whisking the cornstarch and cold water together in a small bowl until smooth. Stir it into the stew. Turn the heat to HIGH (if it wasn’t already) and let it cook uncovered for 20-30 minutes until the broth thickens.
  7. Stir in the frozen peas during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  8. Remove the bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Notes

Searing the beef is non-negotiable for deep flavor. Cut vegetables evenly (1-inch cubes) for uniform cooking. Layer root vegetables at the bottom of the slow cooker. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking. The stew tastes even better the next day. For a thicker stew, let it sit for 10 minutes off the heat after thickening. If too thick, add a splash of broth or water.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, easy beef stew, cozy stew, family dinner, comfort food, crockpot recipe

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-stew-easy-family-favorite/