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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

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A comforting and easy slow cooker beef stew featuring tender beef chunks and a mix of sweet and earthy root vegetables, perfect for cozy evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup red wine (optional, dry red like Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free option)

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper, then dredge in all-purpose flour until lightly coated. (About 10 minutes)
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches, about 3-4 minutes per batch, until deeply caramelized. Remove and set aside. (15 minutes)
  3. In the same skillet, sauté diced onions until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes. (8 minutes)
  4. Transfer browned beef and sautéed aromatics to the slow cooker. Pour in beef broth and red wine (if using). Add thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Season lightly with salt and pepper. (5 minutes)
  5. Layer carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes on top in the slow cooker. (5 minutes)
  6. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft but not mushy. Alternatively, cook on high for 4-5 hours. (7-8 hours)
  7. Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning. If stew is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir in. Cook on high for 15 minutes to thicken. (10-15 minutes)

Notes

Browning the beef before slow cooking adds deep flavor and richness. Cut root vegetables into even pieces for uniform cooking. Adjust seasoning at the end as slow cooking can mellow flavors. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder. If stew is too thick, add broth or water; if too thin, thicken with cornstarch slurry.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, root vegetables, easy beef stew, comfort food, slow cooker recipe, cozy dinner, beef chuck stew

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-stew-recipe-easy-homemade-root-vegetables-guide/