DELICIOUS Slow Cooker Beef Stew is a family favorite that we’ve enjoyed for years!! Your crock pot does all the work – just add your stew meat, carrots, potatoes, mushroom soup, water, and onion mix!
Slow cooker recipes always come in handy, and especially soup recipes made in the crockpot! This stew is just as simple and easy to make as our crock pot chicken stew, but with a savory beef flavor.
hearty and simple slow cooker stew
Today’s delicious-ness is warm, chunky and super duper simple! This beef stew is one of those recipes that we got from the sister of a friend of a friend of a friend years ago (grandma has been making this since we were little).
It has become a family-favorite and is one we HAVE to have each winter, because it’s so classic, hearty and delicious.
We love it for the chunks of beef, carrots and potatoes. Oh yeah – it’s also great because it’ SIMPLE!! You pretty much throw everything in the crock pot and let it cook.
Chop, throw, and go!
The only prep work this slow cooker beef stew really requires is chopping all of the vegetables, and cubing the meat. From there, you throw it all in the crock pot with just THREE other ingredients (mushroom soup, water, and onion soup mix), and let it cook!
Simple as that!
Tips and variations:
- If you like, you can sear your meat in a pan on each side before cubing it. This will give it a nice seared flavor and more crisp outside.
- The best kind of potatoes to use are red potatoes or yukon gold. But any kind will do!
- If you don’t like cream of mushroom soup, you can try something like cream of beef or cream of potato. It will have a slightly different flavor!
- Top off your soup with some fresh parsley before serving!
Making Ahead + Storing Info
Beef stew is a great soup for freezing. Simply place soup (completely cooled) into freezer bags or storage containers. Keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. When you’re ready to use it, either thaw in the fridge overnight or heat on the stovetop.
Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Recipes like this slow cooker beef stew make me want to grab a blanket and turn on “While you were sleeping,” Right? Just me? (Ok, anything makes me want to watch that movie!)
Well, movie or no movie, this stew is truly awesome. And with just a few simple steps, it’ll be in your crock pot and ready for dinner in no time!
For more slow cooker soups, try:
More Collections: Winter Dinner Ideas
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 3 pounds 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.
Can you be any more specific on the size of package of carrots? Thanks!
I’m not sure of the ounces but it’s the only bag of full-size carrots I see at the grocery store. You peel those and slice them and add them to the stew. You are welcome to add as many or as little carrots. 😉
I came on to ask the same question. Kroger has 1 pound and 2 pound bags. big difference.
I just use the 1 pound bag, but if you like more, you can always add more.
Oh it’s that time of year again! I love good hearty stews when the weather cools off.
This stew is so simple and to the point! I always seem to go overboard (just made a stew a couple of days ago that took forever!) At least I know if I am not in the mood to stand at the stove for hours that I can make this in the slow cooker 🙂
Everything about this looks FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC! Those potatoes tho…..
Wow! This seriously is easy! The pictures are so gorgeous – it looks rich, meaty and really flavorful … yet all with just a few ingredients, quickly tossed into the slow cooker! Perfect for busy days!
THANK YOU!! It’s definietly perfect for busy, cool days!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
Beef stew is like the ultimate comfort food. This looks crazy good!
Totally agree! Thanks for stopping by! 😀
I love using my slow cooker for stews. This stew looks absolutely perfect too!
Thank you!! Stew is the best on a cold day… still waiting for it to be cold here in Houston. 😉
Any advice for cooking this on the stovetop?
I haven’t done this particular stew on the stove, but you would probably need to brown your meat first, then add your ingredients. I’m not sure how long it would take, but I would bring it to a boil, then simmer until potatoes & carrots are tender & meat cooked.
I’ve had stew done this way and it’s fabulous! These classic, simple recipes are the best! Beautiful photos 🙂
Thank you so much, Valerie! There’s nothing better than simple and delicious recipes. 🙂
I’m making this now but it’s been 6 hours and the meat still isn’t cooked. How much longer should I cook it for in increments? Thanks.
What is the green seasoning on top that shows in the picture? Looks so yummy! I’m going to make it tomorrow.
Cannot do mushroom soup…any substitute suggested?
Maybe you could try a vegetable soup or use beef broth? Hope those ideas help!
Is the mushroom soup “condensed”??
Yes 🙂 ENJOY!
Just wanted to tell you how very much my family and I are enjoying your recipes…I’m especially concentrating on the 20 slow cooker ones now. Thank you so very much! (My website is under construction but I have started).
Thank you so much! You are so nice! I’m so glad you do!
My family loved this!!! My 10 year old said she thought it was so good and didnt really want “stew”. Everyone had seconds.
Haha!! I am so glad she loved it! Thank you so much!
have you ever used frozen Sliced carrots? Maybe even frozen DIced potatoes?
Yes, you for sure could. That’s perfect for when in a pinch!
This is by far my family’s favorite soup!! Everything is so tender & it’s very flavorful! We have to have it all winter long!
Another family favorite! There’s nothing like a bowl of stew on a cold winter night. Easy to prepare.
This beef stew is simply delicious. It’s a perfect dinner on a chilly winter day.
Grandma’s recipes are the best! This stew is delicious!
This reminds me so much of a vietnamese beef stew dish. love! and so easy to make.
The ultimate comfort meal during the fall and winter! So easy and delicious!
a hearty, warm delicious meal! Love how easy and filling this is. Everyone loves beef steW!
Delicious! This is really great Beef stew recipe. I love that it’s a slow cooker recipe. I’m always looking for new slow cooker recipes. Great flavor, great texture.
This is an amazing beef stew. My family and I really loved it. Easy to make and delicious! Will definitely make this again.
Glad your family likes it 🙂 It’s our favorite! Thank you for letting me know!
Have the stew cooking now. Smells delicious. Did anyone have to thicken the juices up with flour? Thanks!
I did not have to 🙂 Sure hope it was a hit!!
I’ve made this particular beef stew recipe twice. It is super easy to make and my entire family, kids included, enjoys it.
Thank you! It is our favorite!
This is the ultimate comfort food, right here! I crave it all winter long. Everything is so tender & juicy!
Love me a yummy and hearty slow cooker recipe! this one the entire family came back for seconds! Making it again real soon!
What size can of mushroom soup is used in this recipe?
It would be the one close to 10.5 ounces 🙂 Hope you like it!
Can i do on stove top? Just boiling my meat until tender first and adding Some Of The brOth from the meat to give that beef flavor? Then simm for awhile? Thank you
That sounds about right 🙂 Enjoy!!
Wonderful flavor. I added crimini mushrooms. I struggled with cooking it only 6 hours on low with the amount of ingredients. Kept it on for 8 and it was perfect.
The addition of mushrooms sounds delicious! I’m glad it turned out so well!
Cook on high for the first few hours then drop to low but tbh, you can cook it on high the entire time with no ill effects, its just tenderizes the meat even more. A slow cooker on high is equivalent to a stove top simmer.
I cannot believe how simple and good this stew recipe is! I added some Worcestershire sauce and it was delicious!! Thank you!!
You’re welcome!! I’m so glad you loved the stew!
Good recipe, one thing i do different in slow cookers is to keep the roast whole while cooking and break it up in the pot when about to serve. The meat is more tender this way. If doing in a pot on the stove then definitely cube first., but slow cookers perform better imo when the roast is left whole and cooked overnight.
Thanks for sharing!
i did not have golden mushroom soup in the pantry.. can i sub for just regular creme of mushroom?
Yes, you can! The flavor will be a little different obviously, but it should still work.
Toss this in the crockpot and you will have the most amazing dinner around. It is my go to beef stew and is always a crowd pleaser! My kind of dinner, easy, and DELICIOUS!!!! Go to comfort food!!!
Hi this looks delicious – can it be made in a 4 quart slow cooker? thank you