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Cozy Crockpot Beef Stew with Root Veggies

cozy crockpot beef stew with root vegetables - featured image
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A hearty, comforting beef stew made in the slow cooker with tender beef, root vegetables, and a rich, savory broth. Perfect for busy weekdays or lazy Sundays.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1-inch chunks
  • 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 parsnips, peeled and sliced into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped into large dice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Prep the vegetables: Peel and chop carrots, parsnips, and potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Dice onion and mince garlic.
  2. Season the beef: Pat stew meat dry with paper towels, then sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Layer the crockpot: Place chopped onions and garlic in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Add seasoned beef on top, then pile on carrots, parsnips, and potatoes. Do not stir.
  4. Make the broth: In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper until tomato paste is dissolved.
  5. Pour and season: Pour broth mixture over ingredients in crockpot. Tuck bay leaves on top. Do not stir. Liquid should come about three-quarters of the way up the ingredients; add more broth or water if needed.
  6. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until beef shreds easily and vegetables are tender.
  7. Thicken the stew (optional): About 30 minutes before serving, stir in cornstarch slurry. Cook on HIGH, uncovered, for 20-30 minutes until thickened.
  8. Finish and serve: Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Notes

For deeper flavor, sear the beef in a hot skillet with oil before adding to the crockpot. Don’t lift the lid during cooking. The stew tastes even better the next day. For a gluten-free version, use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, crockpot, slow cooker, root vegetables, comfort food, easy dinner

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/cozy-crockpot-beef-stew-with-root-veggies/