Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This easy slow cooker beef stew is the ultimate cozy recipe: it’s super satisfying, full of flavor, and loaded with hearty beef and vegetables.

This is a simple, ‘set it and forget it’ recipe where your slow cooker does all the cooking.

There’s something so cozy about a stew cooking all day in the slow cooker. Especially if it’s chilly outside, this stew is the perfect meal to warm up.

Load up your slow cooker now, or save this recipe for the next cold front that comes through — you’ll thank yourself when you’re cozied up with a bowl of this heartwarming stew!

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew

The full recipe is at the bottom of this page, but here’s a quick breakdown of how to make slow cooker beef stew in 5 steps:

Step 1: Toss the Beef & Flour

Combine the flour, salt and pepper. In a medium bowl, toss the meat in the flour mixture until coated.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and brown on all sides, cooking for about 7 – 10 minutes. The beef chunks should cook in one layer (do this step in 2 batches if your skillet is not large enough for all of the beef). Once browned, set aside. 

Step 3: Saute the Onion & Garlic

Add the remaining tablespoon of oil and the onion. Saute for 3 – 4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. 

Step 4: Add Everything to The Slow Cooker

Add all ingredients to your slow cooker. (Recommended size: 6 quarts). Add extra broth if needed, the broth should almost completely cover your ingredients. Stir. 

Step 5: Cook & Serve

Cover and cook on low for 8 – 9 hours or on high for 5 – 6 hours, until the vegetables are tender. Discard the bay leaf. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. 

Tips for Making Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

1. Prepare Your Vegetables Before Starting

This recipe is loaded with vegetables (celery, carrots, potatoes, onions). Before you start cooking, it’s helpful to dice all your vegetables and have them ready to go.

2. Don’t Forget to Brown The Beef

The first step of this recipe is to toss the beef in flour, salt & pepper and then brown it in a skillet. Browning the meat will help preserve its flavor while it cooks for hours in the slow cooker.

3. How to Serve It

Beef stew is a hearty meal that can be served by itself or with a small side like rolls or salad.

This is a go-to weeknight dinner for us during the colder months! It’s easy to make in the morning and forget about it until dinnertime. Plus it makes our whole home smell heavenly while it cooks!

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