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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Stew: 5-Ingredient Easy Dinner

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A rich, fork-tender beef stew made with simple root vegetables and pantry staples. This slow cooker recipe requires minimal prep time and delivers deep, comforting flavors perfect for cold nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into thick chunks
  • 1.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tbsp butter (divided)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat beef cubes dry with paper towels. If searing, heat 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef on all sides in batches (2-3 minutes per batch) and transfer to the slow cooker.
  2. In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp butter. Sauté diced onions for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Scrape up browned bits and pour over the beef in the slow cooker.
  3. Add chopped carrots and potatoes to the slow cooker.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper until smooth. Pour over beef and vegetables. Add the bay leaf.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
  6. Optional: For thicker gravy, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water and stir into the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  7. Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Notes

Do not use lean cuts like round steak as they will dry out. Searing the beef is optional but recommended for deeper flavor. Avoid lifting the lid frequently during cooking. If using a smaller 4-quart slow cooker, halve the recipe. For a thicker stew without cornstarch, blend some of the cooked vegetables and stir back in.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, easy dinner, comfort food, beef chuck roast, root vegetables, gluten-free, dairy-free, winter recipes

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