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Cozy Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe Easy Homemade from Scratch

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A hearty and comforting beef stew made from scratch in a crockpot, featuring tender beef, fresh vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast or stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 medium yellow potatoes, peeled and cubed (Yukon Gold recommended)
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 large onion, diced (yellow or sweet)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil (for browning beef, optional but recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons flour (can substitute gluten-free flour or cornstarch for gluten-free option)

Instructions

  1. Pat dry the stew meat with paper towels. Toss it in the flour seasoned lightly with salt and pepper to coat evenly. (About 5 minutes)
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, avoiding crowding, until a deep golden crust forms on all sides. Transfer browned beef to the crockpot. (10-15 minutes)
  3. In the same skillet, sauté diced onions and celery for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to remove raw taste. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and scrape up browned bits. (About 5 minutes)
  4. Transfer the onion mixture to the crockpot. Add carrots, potatoes, beef broth, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine. (5 minutes)
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft but intact. (Hands-off time)
  6. Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. For thicker stew, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into stew. Cook on HIGH uncovered for another 15 minutes. (15 minutes)
  7. Ladle stew into bowls and serve warm with crusty bread or your favorite side. (Immediate)

Notes

Browning the beef before slow cooking adds deep flavor and better texture but can be skipped for convenience. Avoid stirring too much during cooking to prevent vegetables from breaking down. Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch for a gluten-free stew. Frozen vegetables can be added during the last hour of cooking to avoid mushiness. For thicker stew, add cornstarch slurry in the last 15 minutes of cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, crockpot beef stew, slow cooker stew, homemade beef stew, comfort food, easy stew recipe, hearty stew

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/cozy-crockpot-beef-stew-recipe-easy-homemade-from-scratch/