Crock Pot Beef Stew

Savory, rich, and warming to the soul, this Crock Pot Beef Stew is a little happiness in every bowl.

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When the weather starts to get cold in the fall, the idea of cooking a full meal over a hot stove can seem daunting, especially after a hot summer when you kept meals light. The days are shorter and the early-evening darkness makes you want to curl up with a book, not reach for your pots and pans. It is at those times that one-pot meals, or in the case of this recipe, Crock Pot meals, appear as a bright shining star on the horizon.

Of all the great one-pot dishes you can make in the winter, I like to think this Crock Pot beef stew recipe is one of the best, with its rich and savory flavors, soft and delicious vegetables, and perfectly cut, tender chunks of beef. When you take the first bite, it feels like home. It warms you to the core while it fills your stomach. Happiness really can be found at the bottom of a bowl of this Crock Pot beef stew—you’ll only wish the bottom didn’t come so soon!

This Crock Pot beef stew recipe is steeped in history (well, the ‘beef stew’ part, not so much the Crock Pot). Beef stew itself has been around for centuries. It was served to royalty in medieval times. It was used to feed large groups in colonial America, where it was cooked in large pots over an open flame. Beef stew helped frontiersmen stay fed while they ventured west, and became a regular meal of cowboys and ranchers in Texas and the Southwest. The tradition of beef stew is made easier by slow-cooking in a Crock Pot. It’s full of soft and inviting potatoes, celery, and carrots, all of which soak in all the flavor of the broth. There is a reason that beef stew has stood the test of time and has been eaten for generations—it is one of the most comforting and delicious meals you can eat.

Is Crock Pot Beef Stew Healthy?

This beef stew recipe uses no additional oils. Instead the meat and vegetables cook in their own juices, which is a healthier alternative. The beef is an excellent source of protein, iron, zinc, omega-3 fats, and vitamin B12, which all help your body run at peak levels. The broth in this recipe should be low sodium to help maintain blood pressure. The potatoes are high in vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and fiber; the carrots aid in weight loss, boost immunity functions, and are good for skin and eye health; finally, the celery aids with blood flow and brain function. You can even make your beef stew vegan by substituting your beef with tofu cubes and your beef broth with vegetable broth.

Why do you add the bay leaves in the Final Stages?

You often see in soup and stew recipes the addition of bay leaf in the late stages of cooking. This may seem odd as bay leaves are not particularly enjoyable to eat. Their texture is stiff and leathery and, unlike other herbs, they do not generally soften while being cooked, thus becoming a choking hazard. Bay leaves, though, enhance the flavors of your dish. They have a bitter, acidic, and herbaceous flavor with hints of pine, clove, and flowers.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound beef chuck, cut into cubes
1/2 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
3 large carrots, cut into bite-size pieces
2 sticks celery, chopped
3 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 bay leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

Sear

Brown the beef cubes.

Sauté

Cook onion and garlic; add to slow cooker.

Combine

Add remaining ingredients and cook.

Tenderize

Cook until beef is tender.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How do I prep and store this stew?

To store leftover Crock Pot beef stew, allow it to cool to room temperature first. Then transfer it to an airtight sealed container, which you can store in the refrigerator for up to five days. If you would like to keep it around longer, store it in the freezer for up to three months; however, if you are going to freeze the stew, remove the potatoes, as they do not freeze well. Allow frozen stew to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the Crock Pot on low.

Can I add different vegetables to the Beef stew?

I am never against adding more vegetables to a dish. With beef stew I would recommend the addition of corn, sliced mushrooms, or green beans.

What is the best cut of beef for stew?

I recommend using chuck meat or top round. Often in the meats department of the grocery store they will have some pre-chopped chuck roll labeled “stew beef”—keep an eye out for that.

Serving Suggestions

When it comes to serving, the easiest method is to eat the beef stew on its own. However, beef stew also works well when poured on top of a bowl of white rice or egg noodles. I also like to pair my beef stew with a glass of red wine because the flavors in the beef stew will cut nicely with the acidity and dryness of a red.