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Hearty slow cooker beef stew recipe is a family favorite that we’ve enjoyed for years!! Your crock pot does all the work!
For more of our favorite beef stew variations, be sure to try Mexican Beef Stew and Instant Pot Beef Stew as well!
Everyone Loves Beef Stew!
This crockpot beef stew recipe is one of those recipes that we got from the sister of a friend of a friend years ago (grandma has been making this since we were little).
It’s now a family favorite soup that we HAVE to make each winter because it’s so classic and delicious.
But there’s even more to love about this dish:
- Hearty. Filled with chunks of beef stew meat, carrots, and potatoes, you won’t be left hungry.
- Easy. You pretty much throw everything in the crock pot and let it cook. It’s more hands-off than our stovetop Beef Stew Recipe.
- Flavorful. For how simple the ingredients are, this stew is PACKED with savory flavor, and the meat and veggies come out so soft and tender after slow cooking.
Ingredients
- beef chuck roast – or other stew meat. Cubes should be bite sized; about 1 inch.
- Yukon Gold potatoes – The best kind of potatoes to use are red potatoes or Yukon gold. But any kind will do!
- carrots – You can also add onion, green beans, celery. Add more tender veggies like frozen peas or corn during the last 30-60 minutes.
- golden mushroom soup – or another complementary soup flavor like cream of beef or cream of potato
- water or beef broth
- package onion soup mix
- garlic salt and pepper to taste
- chopped parsley – optional garnish
How to Make Beef Stew in a Crock Pot
The only prep work this slow cooker beef stew recipe really requires is chopping all of the vegetables, and cubing the meat. From there, you throw it all in the crock pot and let it cook!
- COMBINE. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
- COOK. Cook on low for approximately 6 hours, then serve. Season with garlic salt, pepper, and chopped parsley, if desired.
For stove top directions, try our Classic Beef Stew recipe.
Pro Tip
Serve with a side of bread. It’s almost a faux pa to serve stew without a side of bread! Here are some of our favorites with this recipe:
Recipe Tips
- Thick texture. If you feel like your stew is too thick, simply add more water or broth.
- Thin texture. If the stew is too thin, we like to mash up a few of the potatoes and stir. You can also remove 1 cup of stew, place it in a bowl, add 3-4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, stir until smooth and then add the flour mixture back into the stew. You can also use a cornstarch slurry.
- Searing the beef. To sear; add a little olive oil to a large skillet and over high heat cook each side of the beef cubes just long enough for the outsides to form a delicious crust.
- For added flavor, add some of your favorite seasonings like: thyme, bay leaves or even a little Worcestershire sauce.
Storing Info
- STORE. Any leftover simple beef stew recipe can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Small portions can be heated in the microwave while larger portions are best heated on the stovetop.
- Freezer meal. Simply place cooled best crock pot beef stew into freezer bags or storage containers. Keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. When you’re ready to use it, either thaw it in the fridge overnight or heat it on the stovetop.
For more slow cooker soups, try:
Crockpot Tortellini Soup
3 hrs 5 mins
Chicken Tortilla Soup
3 hrs 10 mins
Beef Stew Recipe
6 hrs 5 mins
Crockpot Chicken Stew
3 hrs 5 mins
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast or other stew meat, cubed
- 8 Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
- 6 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 (10.5-ounce) cans golden mushroom soup
- 2-3 cups water, or beef broth
- 1 (2-ounce) package onion soup mix
- garlic salt and pepper, to taste (optional)
- chopped parsley, optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
- Cook on low for approximately 6 hours, then serve. Season with garlic salt, pepper, and chopped parsley, if desired.
Video
Notes
- While not required, you can sear the beef cubes for extra flavor and texture before adding them to the crockpot.
- To thicken the stew, check out our post on How to Thicken Soup using a cornstarch slurry or all-purpose flour.
- It’s almost a faux pas to serve stew without a side of bread! We love serving it in a Bread Bowl or using a regular bowl with Sweet Cornbread on the side.
- For a stove-top version, try our Classic Beef Stew recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This stew is incredible! So flavorful and easy to make
If you are making it in the slow cooker do you still need to brown the meat first? Thanks!
I think your sodium number is wrong. Two cans of soup have more than 194 mg sodium.
Recipe pleas printer down
Can I cook it on high in the crockpot for 4 hours. Lunch is served at one?
Rich and satisfying! We’ve been trying different stew recipes and have landed on the perfect one. Thank you!