Description
A hearty and comforting slow cooker beef stew with tender chuck roast, vegetables, and aromatic herbs that’s perfect for busy weekdays.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cubed
- 4 medium carrots, chopped
- 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
- 2 large yellow onions, diced
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prep Work: Cut beef chuck roast into uniform 1-inch cubes. Dice onions, chop carrots, cube potatoes, and mince garlic. Uniform sizing ensures even cooking throughout.
- Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef cubes on all sides, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. This takes about 6-8 minutes total.
- Layer Ingredients: Transfer browned beef to slow cooker. Add diced onions, minced garlic, chopped carrots, and cubed potatoes. Stir gently to distribute evenly.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour beef broth until ingredients are just covered. Add fresh thyme leaves, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir once more to combine all elements.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. The beef should be fork-tender and vegetables should be easily pierced.
- Final Touches: Remove bay leaves before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Pat beef cubes completely dry before searing to achieve better browning and prevent oil splatter
- Don’t skip the searing step – it adds incredible depth of flavor that can’t be replicated any other way
- Cut vegetables slightly larger than you think necessary as they’ll shrink during the long cooking process
- For thicker stew, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with cold water and stir in during the last 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 385 calories
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, beef stew recipe, slow cooker recipes, comfort food, easy dinner