Description

A hearty and comforting beef stew made in a crockpot with tender chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and celery in a rich, flavorful gravy.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs beef stew meat (chuck roast or beef stew cubes)
4 medium yellow potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 large carrots, peeled and sliced into thick rounds
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 large bay leaf
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of oil. Toss the beef chunks with a little flour (optional) and brown the beef in batches, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to the crockpot.
Layer the potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion on top of the beef in the crockpot. Sprinkle the minced garlic over the vegetables.
In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and salt and pepper. Pour this over the beef and veggies in the crockpot.
Add the bay leaf to the crockpot.
Cover and set the crockpot to low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking.
If desired, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Stir it into the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking to thicken the gravy.
Remove the bay leaf and give the stew a final stir. Serve hot with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.

Notes

[‘Browning the beef adds rich flavor to the stew.’, ‘Layering the ingredients ensures even cooking.’, ‘Stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.’, ‘Feel free to add mushrooms, peas, or a splash of red wine for variation.’]

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 320
Fat: 12
Carbohydrates: 20
Protein: 25

Keywords: beef stew, crockpot recipe, slow cooker, comfort food, hearty meal, easy dinner, meal prep, beef recipe