Description
Hearty beef stew perfection emerges from this classic slow cooker recipe, promising rich, comforting flavors that simmer slowly to tender, mouthwatering goodness. Generous chunks of beef, root vegetables, and robust seasonings blend into a soul-warming meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 potatoes, diced
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 cups (355 milliliters) beef broth
Instructions
- Thoroughly dredge beef chunks in seasoned flour, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the powdery mixture.
- Transfer the floured meat into the slow cooker, creating an initial layer at the bottom of the ceramic vessel.
- Mince fresh garlic and sprinkle over the meat, followed by crumbling a fragrant bay leaf for aromatic depth.
- Dust the surface with vibrant paprika, then drizzle Worcestershire sauce to enhance the savory profile.
- Roughly chop onions and distribute them across the meat, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Carefully pour beef broth into the slow cooker, ensuring it covers approximately half the meat layer.
- Dice potatoes, carrots, and celery into uniform chunks, then nestle these hearty vegetables around and between the meat pieces.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to Low temperature, allowing the stew to gently simmer and tenderize for 10-12 hours.
- Alternatively, if time is limited, cook on High setting for 4-6 hours until meat becomes fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
- Once cooking is complete, remove bay leaf, stir gently, and serve the rich, comforting stew in deep bowls.
Notes
- Select well-marbled chuck roast for tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat that becomes incredibly soft during slow cooking.
- Dust meat lightly with seasoned flour to create a delicious golden crust and help thicken the stew’s rich sauce naturally.
- Chop vegetables into similar-sized chunks to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the hearty stew.
- Consider replacing beef with chicken or plant-based protein for alternative dietary preferences without compromising the comforting flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 hours (Low) or 4-6 hours (High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 347 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg