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Mom’s Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

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4.3 from 10 reviews

Mom’s Slow Cooker Beef Stew is a hearty and comforting dish featuring tender beef chuck simmered with carrots, potatoes, garlic, and herbs in a rich broth enhanced with red wine, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. This classic recipe slow cooks for hours, allowing the flavors to meld perfectly, making it an ideal protein-packed family dinner.

  • Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Meat and Seasonings

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 pounds beef chuck, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Lots of freshly ground black pepper

Liquids and Flavorings

  • 1 ½ cups beef broth (or beef bone broth)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Vegetables

  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large yellow onion, cut into chunks
  • 4 large carrots (or 5 medium), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch diagonal slices
  • 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, diced into ½ inch cubes
  • 1 cup frozen peas

Thickening Agent

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour (or substitute gluten free all-purpose flour)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef chuck pieces with salt and pepper. Brown the beef in batches, about 5 minutes per batch, to get a nice sear without crowding the pan. Transfer the browned beef to a large 6 or 8-quart slow cooker.
  2. Add Broth and Flavorings: To the slow cooker, add 1 ½ cups beef broth, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine the beef with these liquids and seasonings.
  3. Add Vegetables: Incorporate 6 minced garlic cloves, 1 large chopped yellow onion, 4 large peeled and sliced carrots, and 1 pound diced Yukon gold potatoes into the slow cooker. Mix everything gently so ingredients are well distributed.
  4. Slow Cook the Stew: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours. Cooking slow and low is recommended to ensure the beef becomes tender and the flavors fully meld together.
  5. Thicken the Stew: Remove 1 cup of beef broth from the slow cooker and place it in a medium bowl. Whisk in ¼ cup all-purpose flour until smooth and lump-free. Pour this mixture back into the slow cooker and stir to combine.
  6. Finalize Cooking: Add 1 cup frozen peas to the slow cooker, then cook uncovered on HIGH for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the stew thickens. If the stew becomes too thick, add a little more beef broth to adjust the consistency.
  7. Serve: Serve the stew immediately while hot. It pairs beautifully with toasted French bread, mashed potatoes, cornbread, crackers, or biscuits for a complete hearty meal.

Notes

  • For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • Using bone broth adds extra depth of flavor but regular beef broth works well too.
  • Cooking on low heat for the full 7-8 hours yields more tender beef and richer flavor.
  • If stew thickens too much after adding flour, thin it by stirring in additional beef broth.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 hours
  • Category: Dinner, Main Course, Stew
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/moms-slow-cooker-beef-stew-recipe/