Slow Cooker Beef Stew

A savory, hearty bowl of beef stew slowly cooked to perfection with the aroma of herbs, spices, and vegetables for an ideal one-pot meal. The perfect winter comfort food!

Course Main

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6 20

Total Time 6 30

Servings

Calories 436kcal

Author Imma

Ingredients

2 pounds (0.9kg) stew beef, cut into small chunks
¼ cup (60ml) canola oil
1 medium onion, diced
½ teaspoon (1g) minced ginger
1 tablespoon (3g) minced garlic
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons (30g) tomato paste
1 teaspoon bouillon powder, beef, chicken, or vegetable (optional and adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon (1g) fresh thyme
1 teaspoon (2g) smoked paprika
2 cups (470ml) broth or water (more if needed)
2-3 green onions, diced
1-2 pounds (.5-1k) potatoes, cut into large chunks
2-3 large carrots, cut into large chunks
8-10 ounces (225-280g) mushrooms
1 cup (165g) peas
salt and pepper to taste
2-3 tablespoons (8g-12g) fresh parsley (optional for garnish)

Instructions

Season stew beef with salt and pepper, thoroughly covering all sides.
Heat the oil in an oven-safe Dutch oven pan over medium heat. Add stew beef and brown well, turning once, 2 -3 minutes per side or until beef browns. Do not overcrowd the pan, cooking in batches if necessary.
Add onions, ginger, garlic, thyme, smoked paprika, and bay leaf to the skillet. Stir for 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent.
Add tomato paste and bouillon. Stir for another minute, then add water or broth to the skillet, scraping all sides. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and pour into the slow cooker.
Then throw the carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and peas into the slow cooker and salt according to preference.
Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
Remove, garnish with parsley, and serve with bread.

Notes

It's best not to skip the searing part since it brings out a better flavor. However, if you're short on time, you can add all the raw ingredients to the slow cooker without pre-cooking them. The stew won't have the same depth, but it will still be delicious.
Yukon Gold potatoes don't fall apart as easily when cooked longer, like any waxy or boiling potato.
Mix equal parts of flour and butter and add it during the last hour of cooking for a thickening hack. Or mash up a few chunks of potatoes as soon as they're tender.
No slow cooker? You can make this tasty dish on the stovetop. Follow the instructions, adding everything to the Dutch oven. Cover the pot and simmer over low for 3-4 hours (5-6 hours at high altitude), adding more broth as needed.
Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition