Crockpot Beef Stew Healthy Slow Cooker Stew Recipe Wellplated Com

Calling all the warm fuzzies, cuddly blankets, and flannel! It’s time for a hug in dinner form: crockpot beef stew. Now that each day seems to be cooler than the last, I wanted to share a recipe for a warm-you-up (and lightened-up) slow cooker beef stew. It’s without a doubt one of the best crockpot soups in my arsenal (this Crockpot Lasagna Soup is a close second). Crockpot beef stew is the kind of thing I love to have simmering in the house all day. As the beef stew cooks and the broth thickens into a rich gravy, the smell fills my kitchen in a nostalgic way that reminds me of my Grandma Dorothy. Here’s why I think you’ll love this old fashioned slow cooker beef stew:

Cooler nights are here! With every bite cozier than the last, this slow cooker stew recipe warms to your core (like this French-inspired Beef Bourguignon).A low and slow cook time makes this recipe the perfect make-ahead meal during a busy work week. You’ll come home to beef so fall-apart tender, you can cut it with a spoon.FLAVOR OVERLOAD. With a rich red wine gravy and aromatic fresh herbs, everyone at your table will be begging for seconds. Loaded with both veggies and hearty protein, beef stew in the slow cooker is a healthy, filling, and satisfying all-in-one meal (although I always recommend serving it with this Rosemary Olive Oil Bread for soaking up extra gravy).

Translation: Making this slow cooker beef stew recipe is WORTH EVERY MINUTE!

How to Make Crockpot Beef Stew

This best-ever slow cooker beef stew tastes like pure comfort in a bowl. Have it at the ready for the cool evenings ahead.

The Ingredients

Chuck Roast. Boneless chuck roast is perfect for this recipe. It’s a more marbled cut (and marbling = flavor) that becomes tender throughout the low and slow cooking. (This Italian Beef is another delicious chuck roast recipe.) You also could use a top or bottom round roast.

Red Wine. Slow cooker beef stew with red wine has so much depth of flavor! Try Cabernet Sauvignon or a dark beer (such as an amber or porter).

Vegetables. The more the merrier! I used onion, celery, carrots, parsnip, and peas for an array of flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits.

Potatoes. The starch in the potatoes helps thicken the stew and adds some extra bulk to make every bowl filling and satisfying.

Tomato Paste. An easy way to build concentrated flavor.Worcestershire Sauce. A tangy, savory addition to your beef stew and another flavor building block. If in a pinch, substitute with balsamic vinegar.Beef Broth. To provide moisture and help the meat tenderize. I recommend low sodium so that your beef stew does not become overly salty.Whole Wheat Flour. To help the meat brown and caramelize. It also helps the gravy thicken as well. No need to use corn starch here.

Thyme. Thyme is my absolute favorite in beef stew. It’s the ideal match with the root vegetables, and its earthy, savory flavor is a hallmark of comfort food (like in Shepherd’s Pie).Salt and Pepper. Don’t be skimpy. These give the beef and vegetables outstanding flavor.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Place cooked and cooled stew in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.To Reheat. Gently reheat leftovers in a Dutch oven or similar large pot/skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding splashes of broth as needed. You can also rewarm this stew in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave until hot.To Freeze. Store cooked and cooled leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Programmable Slow Cooker. A helpful tool to deter overcooking.Dutch Oven. For browning the meat. I also love this one, and this is another good brand.Chef’s Knife. For chopping and prepping all of the colorful vegetables in this hearty stew recipe.

This crockpot beef stew is the easy, not too heavy, richly flavored, and fall-apart tender recipe you need this season.

The deep browning and caramelizing of the beef give the stew a dark, golden, irresistible crust that enriches the gravy and makes this one of the best slow cooker beef stew recipes ever. It’s a similar method when seeing recipes for a pot roast.

Crockpot Beef Stew with Mushrooms. This is perhaps the most popular suggestion among readers! Add a cup of button, white, or crimini mushrooms while sautéing the other veggiesSlow Cooker Beef with Frozen Vegetables. While I love fresh vegetables for their superior flavor and texture, you could swap part of the vegetables (including the carrots and parsnips) for a bag of frozen mixed veggies. No need to sauté the frozen veggies; simply stir them into the slow cooker towards the end of the stew’s cooking time.

I have also taken the dumplings from this Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings recipe before to make this into a crockpot beef stew and dumpling recipe.