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Cozy Lazy Crockpot Beef Stew

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An easy, comforting beef stew perfect for busy fall nights, slow-cooked to tender perfection with simple ingredients and minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional for browning)

Instructions

  1. Peel and chop the carrots, potatoes, onion, and celery. Mince the garlic. Cut the beef chuck roast into roughly 1-inch cubes. This should take about 15-20 minutes.
  2. Optional: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until seared. This adds extra flavor but can be skipped.
  3. Add the beef (browned or raw), carrots, potatoes, onion, celery, and garlic to the crockpot.
  4. Pour in beef broth, then stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Add dried thyme and bay leaves. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft but not mushy.
  6. Before serving, remove bay leaves and taste the stew. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. If stew is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir in. Cook on HIGH for 15 more minutes until thickened.
  7. Ladle stew into bowls and serve warm.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the slow cooker to allow even heat circulation. Be generous with seasoning as slow cooking mellows flavors. Uniformly chop vegetables for even cooking. Potatoes should be in larger chunks to avoid mushiness. Worcestershire sauce adds essential savory depth. If stew is watery, thicken with cornstarch slurry at the end. Can be made in an Instant Pot with adjusted cook time.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, crockpot, slow cooker, comfort food, easy dinner, fall recipe, beef chuck, hearty stew

Find it online: https://tinastirs.com/cozy-lazy-crockpot-beef-stew-recipe-easy-comfort-food-for-busy-fall-nights/