Crockpot Homemade Beef Stew

Tender chunks of beef, hearty potatoes, carrots, and onions slowly simmered in a rich, savory broth. This classic crockpot beef stew is comforting, filling, and perfect for a cozy family dinner.

🥩 Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900 g) beef chuck roast, cut into 1½-inch cubes
• 1½ lbs (680 g) potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups (720 ml) beef broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Beef

Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels.

Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Toss the beef with the flour until lightly coated.

2. Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Brown the beef in batches for 2–3 minutes per side.

You don’t need to cook it through—just develop a nice brown crust.

Transfer the browned beef to the crockpot.

Tip: If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, but browning adds much more flavor.

3. Add the Vegetables

Add the potatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic to the crockpot.

Arrange the vegetables around the beef.

4. Add the Broth and Seasonings

Pour in the beef broth and crushed tomatoes.

Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.

Stir gently to combine.

5. Slow Cook

Cover and cook on:

• LOW for 7–8 hours, or
• HIGH for 4–5 hours

The stew is ready when the beef is very tender and the vegetables are cooked through.

6. Add the Peas

Stir in the frozen peas during the final 15–20 minutes of cooking.

Remove the bay leaves.

Taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.

7. Serve

Ladle the hot beef stew into bowls.

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with crusty bread, dinner rolls, or biscuits.

⭐ Tips for the Best Crockpot Beef Stew

• Beef chuck works especially well because the slow cooking makes it tender and flavorful.
• Don’t cut the potatoes and carrots too small or they may become overly soft.
• Browning the beef first creates a deeper, richer flavor.
• Keep the lid closed as much as possible during cooking.
• If the stew is thinner than you’d like, leave the lid slightly ajar during the final 20–30 minutes or thicken it with a cornstarch slurry.

🥣 Optional Thickening Slurry

Mix:

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons cold water

Stir into the stew during the final 15–20 minutes and allow it to thicken before serving.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve your beef stew with:

• Crusty French bread
• Homemade biscuits
• Garlic bread
• Dinner rolls
• Cornbread
• Simple green salad

⏱️ Recipe Details

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 7–8 hours on LOW
Total Time: About 8 hours
Servings: 6–8
Method: Slow cooker
Difficulty: Easy