Table of Contents
Introduction
As the crisp Autumn air sets in and the nights get chillier, few things provide as much warmth and comfort as a hearty, rich beef stew. The signature one-pot meal takes on a whole new level of flavour when prepared in a slow cooker. By simmering the beef, vegetables, herbs and wine for hours, it allows the ingredients to develop deep, complex flavours and the meat to become melt-in-your-mouth tender.
This easy fall-apart slow cooker beef stew turns out perfect every time with minimal hands-on effort. Simply throw everything in the slow cooker in the morning and come home after a long day to a house filled with mouthwatering aromas. The combination of cubed beef chuck, baby potatoes, carrots, celery and onions creates a rich, savoury broth full of texture and colour. Tomato paste, garlic, thyme and red wine lend balance through bright, earthy notes. A quick dusting of flour at the end helps thicken the broth into a wonderfully rich gravy.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe
Here are the ingredients and instructions for the Fall-Apart Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 cups baby potatoes, halved
- 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth or bone broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour (or Gluten-free flour if you have an intolerance)
- 1⁄4 cup tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1⁄2 tsp black pepper
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1 cup red wine
Instructions
- Add the beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, beef broth, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, thyme, pepper and salt to a 6-qt slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and tomato paste. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker and stir to coat the beef and vegetables.
- Pour in the red wine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or on HIGH for 5-6 hours, until the beef is very tender.
- Remove the bay leaves before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve over mashed potatoes, rice or with crusty bread. Enjoy!
Conclusion
This hearty one-pot wonder works brilliantly for meal prepping. Make a big batch on your day off then portion it out into containers for easy reheating throughout the week. The bold, comforting flavours improve with time, making leftovers even more delicious. Serve the beef stew straight out of the slow cooker over mashed potatoes, rice, cornbread or biscuits for the ultimate cold-weather comfort food.
FAQs
What cut of beef works best for slow cooker stews?
Beef chuck is a great choice for slow cooker stews because it has a lot of connective tissue that breaks down into gelatin over hours of braising, making the meat very tender and juicy.
What is the benefit of searing the beef first before adding it to the slow cooker?
Skipping the step of searing the beef first allows the flavours of the stew to develop gradually as it simmers unattended in the slow cooker. The long, slow cooking will still make the meat very tender.
Can you substitute potatoes for another vegetable?
Yes, potatoes can be substituted for other root vegetables that also hold up well during long cooking times. Good alternatives are sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips, rutabaga or carrot chunks.
Should the slow cooker lid be removed at all during cooking?
For maximum flavour and richness, keep the lid closed and don’t remove it unnecessarily during the cooking time. This retains all the heat, moisture and aroma.
What sides pair well with slow cooker beef stew?
Buttery mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice or crusty bread are excellent pairings. You can also serve it over hot biscuits for soaking up all the delicious gravy.
