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Hearty slow cooker beef stew made with tender beef chunks, baby potatoes, carrots, and rich gravy served in a bowl.

Simple Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This simple slow cooker beef stew is an easy, comforting dinner made with everyday ingredients. Browning the beef adds extra flavor, and the slow cooker does the rest, making it perfect for busy days. It’s cozy, filling, and a family favorite.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs beef stew meat
  • 1½ lbs baby potatoes
  • 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for browning the beef)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
  • Fresh parsley, for serving (optional)

Equipment

  • Slow cooker (crockpot)
  • Large skillet
  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef lightly with salt and pepper, then brown it in batches until it has a nice sear. Transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
  2. Add the potatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker with the beef.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour it over everything in the slow cooker and give it a gentle stir.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is tender and the vegetables are soft.
  5. If you want a thicker stew, stir together the cornstarch and water and add it during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

This is one of those recipes that doesn’t need to be perfect to turn out well. Browning the beef adds extra flavor, but on busy days I’ll skip it and let the slow cooker do all the work. It’s a forgiving, cozy dinner you can easily adjust with what you have on hand.