Rich, hearty, and fall-apart tender—this is comfort food at its best.
This slow cooker beef stew is the kind of meal that fills the house with cozy aromas and rewards you with deep flavor and melt-in-your-mouth beef. Just prep, set it, and let time do the work.
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 6)
- 2 lb (900 g) beef chuck, cut into chunks
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (for browning)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 4–5 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons flour (optional, for thickening)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Brown the Beef (Optional but Recommended)
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Season beef with salt and pepper and brown on all sides.
Transfer to the slow cooker.
(This step adds depth, but you can skip it if short on time.)
2️⃣ Add Vegetables
Add onion, garlic, carrots, and potatoes to the slow cooker.
3️⃣ Build the Broth
In a bowl, whisk beef broth, tomato paste, flour (if using), paprika, thyme, and pepper.
Pour over everything in the slow cooker.
Add bay leaf.
4️⃣ Slow Cook
Cover and cook:
- LOW: 8–9 hours
- HIGH: 4–5 hours
Until beef is tender and potatoes are soft.
5️⃣ Finish & Serve
Remove bay leaf.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
⭐ Tips for the Best Beef Stew
- Use chuck roast for the most tender results
- Cut vegetables into large chunks so they don’t get mushy
- Low and slow gives the richest flavor
- Stew thickens more as it cools
🔁 Variations
- Extra Rich: add a splash of Worcestershire sauce
- Herby: add fresh thyme at the end
- Vegetable Boost: add peas in the last 30 minutes
- Gluten-Free: skip the flour and thicken with cornstarch slurry
🍽️ What to Serve With It
- Crusty bread or dinner rolls
- Rice or mashed potatoes
- Simple green salad
🏁 Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots is hearty, nourishing, and incredibly satisfying—perfect for busy days and cozy nights. Even better, it tastes amazing the next day.