This traditional Beef Stew is the best Slow Cooker recipe for Fall and Winter. It’s loaded with tender bites of juicy beef, golden potatoes, carrots, peas, red wine, onions, garlic, and a hearty beef broth. Serve it with warm biscuits, cornbread, or even over mashed potatoes.
Be sure to try my Crock Pot Roast recipe next!
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Who doesn’t love a hearty bowl of rich and flavorful beef stew. It’s such a traditional Fall and Winter comfort food. I’ve been working on slight variations of this recipe for years and I have to say, this version is definitely the best ever.
All of the ingredients in this recipe compliment each other so well, and the quantities of each are perfect, with no ingredient overpowering another.
Let’s get into everything you need to know. From the what cuts of beef to use, the best potatoes for stew, pro tips, storage, and more:
How to Make It
See recipe card at bottom of post for ingredient quantities and full instructions
Cut meat into 1-inch cubes, discard any large pieces of fat. Fat marbleized into the meat is fine!
Season beef with pepper, garlic salt, and celery salt. Toss to coat. Sprinkle flour over the meat and toss again. Sear the meat in batches for 45 seconds per side and transfer to the Slow Cooker.
Melt 1 Tablespoon of butter and soften the onions and garlic, scraping up any meat remnants up from the pot. Add a splash of wine to help loosen if necessary. Transfer to the Slow Cooker.
Add all remaining ingredients except for the peas, corn starch, and 2 Tablespoons of cold butter. Heat on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the vegetables are softened and the potatoes are fork tender.
Add the peas during the last 15 minutes of cooking. To thicken, combine 1/4 cup cold water + 3 Tablespoons corn starch and slowly stir it into the broth. It will continue to thicken upon standing. Turn off heat and remove the bay leaves and rosemary stem. Add browning and seasoning sauce.
Best Beef for Stew
- Chuck roasts -The best option. It is preferred over other cuts because of the connective tissue, which makes it more tender. (Bonus: It’s also a less expensive cut than other types.)
- Rump roasts
- Bottom rounds
Best Potatoes to Use
Yukon Gold and Red Potatoes are best for stews as they have less starch content and hold up much better than russet potatoes, which tend to fall apart and break down into the stew.
Searing the Meat
Searing the beef adds a nice color, flavor, and texture for the stew, it also creates a nice base to soften up the onions and garlic. The remnants from the meat are loosened up with butter/wine and transferred to the Slow Cooker for the ultimate flavor base.
Sear just long enough to give the exterior a crisp texture, don’t cook it all the way through. 45 seconds per side is all it takes.
Can You Put Raw Beef in the Slow Cooker?
Yes. If you don’t have time to sear the meat, you can toss it in the flour mixture and place it right in the Slow Cooker along with the uncooked onions and garlic.
Red Wine Substitute
An equal amount of beef broth or red grape juice may be used instead of wine, along with 2 Tablespoons of Red Wine Vinegar. The acidity helps to break down and tenderize the meat.
For an Irish twist on this recipe, use 1 cup of extra stout Guinness instead of wine.
Pro Tips
- Handle the beef least amount possible for extra juicy, tender results. Otherwise you’ll cause juices to run right out of it which will make it tough.
- Swirl in 2 Tablespoons of cold butter at the very end for a smooth, velvety finish. This is a technique that chefs use called “Monter au beurre”.
- Optional ingredient additions include celery, green beans, parsnips, and sweet potatoes.
- This recipe is in The Cozy Cookbook on page 47!
Storage
- Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Tools For This Recipe
(Amazon affiliate links)- Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.
- Spice Rack– This is the one I have, it’s a snap to measure out your seasonings quickly and easily. (Big time saver.)
- Measuring Spoons– To measure out the seasonings.
- Pinch Bowls– I measure out my seasonings ahead of time and add them to these small bowls so they’re ready to go when it’s time to add them.
- Garlic Twister– it’s much more flavorful to mince fresh garlic. This twister does it in seconds and is easy to clean and store.
- Soup Bowls –(I love these!)
- 16 oz. storage containers – I use these to store/freeze my soups. They have 8 oz. sizes as well. They’re stackable, leak proof, and dishwasher/microwave safe.
What to Serve with Beef Stew
- Cornbread
- Easy Buttermilk Biscuits
- Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole Recipe
- Mashed Potatoes
- Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls
- Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Try These Next
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Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds stew meat, see notes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3-6 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons cold butter, separated
- 2 cups yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup high-quality cabernet sauvignon, merlot works as well. See notes.
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tsp better than bouillon, or 2 beef bouillon cubes
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 5 medium carrots, cut into chunks, about 1-inch
- 1 lb. baby Yukon gold potatoes, halved or quartered
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup Cold Water + 3 tablespoons Corn Starch, Optional
- 2-3 drops
Gravy Master , (Optional)- Adds an even richer darker color.
Instructions
- Cut meat into 1-inch cubes, discard any large pieces of fat. Fat marbleized into the meat is fine!
- Sprinkle beef with black pepper, garlic salt, and celery salt. Toss to coat. Sprinkle flour over the meat and toss again.
- Heat 3 Tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat in batches, don’t overcrowd the pan. Brown on each side for 45 seconds. Add more oil if needed. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Reduce heat to medium and melt 1 Tablespoon butter. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Use a silicone spatula to clean the bottom of the pan, removing any brown remnants. This will give the soup lots of good flavor. If necessary, add a splash of wine to help loosen it. Transfer the onions/garlic mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add all remaining ingredients except for the peas, corn starch mixture, and 2 tablespoons of cold butter.
- Cook on low for 7 ½ to 8 hours or high for 3½ to 4 hours, until the vegetables are softened and the potatoes are fork tender.
- Add the peas during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Remove the bay leaves and rosemary stem.
- Optional: To thicken, combine ¼ cup COLD water with 3 Tablespoons of cornstarch. Slowly add it to the stew, stirring to incorporate. It will continue to thicken upon standing.
- Turn off the heat. Swirl in 2 tablespoons of cold butter for a smooth, velvety finish. This is a technique that chefs use called “Monter au Beurre”.Optional: Add 3 drops of Gravy Master for an even darker color.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Best cuts of Beef for Stew • Chuck roasts (the best option)
• Rump roasts
• Bottom rounds You can also season and sear a whole roast for about 8 minutes total, and then cut it into cubes. This results in less moisture loss, but there is also less surface area to season and add a seared texture to.
Red Wine Substitute
- An equal amount of beef broth or red grape juice may be used instead of wine, along with 2 Tablespoons of Red Wine Vinegar. The acidity helps to break down and tenderize the meat.
- For an Irish twist on this recipe, use 1 cup of extra stout Guinness instead of wine.
Optional ingredient addition: Celery, green beans, parsnips, and sweet potatoes.
This recipe is in The Cozy Cookbook on page 47!
Nutritional information is an estimate and is per serving. This recipe makes 6 servings.
I just made this beef stew recipe and not only is this very easy to make, its delicious! I’m a very good cook, but I’ve tried quite a few recipes on pinerest that I was not impressed with. Judging by all the the great reviews, I thought I’d give it a shot, and I’m so glad that I did. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe Robin, thanks so much for the great comments and review!💗
Hi Stephanie!
My home is smelling great! I have added your cookbook to my Christmas wish list! I just left for school pickup and I thought- let me try a taste!
I’m about a half hour in on cook time and it’s tasting a bit acidic. I may have gone heavier on the tomato paste using rounded tablespoons. Is this something that will cook out or can you recommend a fix? Thank you!
Hi Michelle, I’m so glad that your home is smelling great! When you lift the lid, you set the cooking time back. Taking a taste within just 30 minutes isn’t a good indicator as to what the finished product will taste like. The acidity is likely from the wine, which needs to render down. This needs the full amount of time to cook with the lid closed 🙂
You were so right!! This came out incredibly. Also, the better than bouillon website made me fall down a rabbit hole of possibilities, and it’s because you introduced me to the line. Many thanks, Stephanie!
You’re very welcome Michelle! I know all about the rabbit hole of possibilities😂 Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!
I made this recipe on a day where my husband and I were tiling a shower and had a lot to do. I got it together in the morning and we got busy. OMG! The house was smelling so good in a few hours. We worked hard all day and then we had a delicious hardy bowl of stew. We made garlic bread to go with from some leftover brioche hamburger buns and drank the rest of the Cab. Good way to end a busy day! Thanks
I love doing work around the house and smelling a yummy crock pot recipe cook all day! I’m so happy that it was such a success Presley, nice work!💗
I made this for my husband and have NEVER seen him eat anything with such gusto! (His word!) Seriously, this was the best stew we’ve ever had (sorry mom). Followed the recipe and used a merlot.
Wahoooo! Gusto! That may be my new favorite word, thanks so much for the great review Becky!💗
22 pages for a shopping list and receipe?? thx for it , looks good
Hi Jim, hitting the print button in the recipe card gives you 3 pages of ingredients, the recipe, and notes.
Instead of crockpot for the beef stew can I cook it on the stove? Anything different that I would have to do?
Hi Charlotte! If you have a Dutch oven, I would follow steps 1-3, after searing the meat, I would add the 1/2 cup wine (don’t use the full 1 cup) and let it bubble and reduce over medium heat until reduced by half (about 5-6 minutes). Resume with step 4. Then bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Add the seared beef along with any juices from the plate. Cover partially and let it bubble very gently over medium-low heat for 1-2 hours, or until the potatoes are fork tender. This will cook the meat slowly, keeping it tender. It will also concentrate the broth. Stir it occasionally as it cooks and decrease heat if it starts to boil. Add the peas during the last 10 minutes of cooking. From there, you can thicken with cornstarch if desired and/or swirl in cold butter as outlined in the recipe. Enjoy 🙂
Sounds great! Will do this tomorrow 👍
Excellent, enjoy!💗
I made this for my extended family to have after a football game and it was wonderful! I cooked it on low, since we’d be gone longer than 4 hours and it was ready to eat when we got back. Everyone loved it and some went back for another bowl! I will definitely make it again.
I’m so happy to hear that Peggy! There’s nothing like coming home to a delicious meal that’s been cooking in the crock pot. Its magic! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💗
Can I leave out the wine?
An equal amount of beef broth or red grape juice may be used instead of wine, along with 2 Tablespoons of Red Wine Vinegar. The acidity helps to break down and tenderize the meat 🙂
this was sooooo good!! My entire family devoured it with no leftovers.
Loved it and will keep making it.
I’m so happy to hear that Dana, thanks so much for the great review!❤️