Add this recipe to your menu next week and let the compliments roll in.
Beef stew has to be one of my ultimate comfort foods, especially during the winter months. And what goes better with Sunday football than a big ole’ bowl of beef stew!
Now, this isn’t any old stew. This has been proclaimed as The Best Crockpot Beef Stew by my friends and family. So add this recipe to your menu next week and let the compliments roll in.
Hey… are you looking for an INSTANT POT VERSION of this recipe? I’ve got one of those also. Check it out HERE!
The Best Crockpot Beef Stew
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery ribs, sliced
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 32 oz beef broth
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups baby carrots carrots
- 4-5 small red potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 3 cups)
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 cups frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup water
- Combine beef, celery, carrots, red onion, potatoes, salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and tomato paste in the crock pot. I used a 6 qt crockpot for this stew. Cook on LOW for 10 hours or on HIGH for 6-7 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, mix the flour and the water together in a small dish and pour into the crockpot. Mix until well combined. This will add a nice thickness to the stew. Next add in your frozen peas and corn. Continue cooking covered for 30 minutes.
Want even MORE crockpot ideas? Make sure to check out my 30 EASY CROCKPOT MEALS!
Here are more of our favorite slow cooker recipes!
- Creamy Crockpot Chicken Stuffing and Green Beans
- The Best Crockpot BBQ Chicken
- Creamy Crockpot Crack Chicken
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The Best Crockpot Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 celery ribs sliced
- 2-3 cloves of garlic minced
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 32 oz beef broth
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups baby carrots carrots
- 4-5 small red potatoes cut into bite-sized pieces (about 3 cups)
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 cups frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Combine beef, celery, carrots, red onion, potatoes, salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and tomato paste in the crock pot. I used a 6 qt crockpot for this stew. Cook on LOW for 10 hours or on HIGH for 6-7 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, mix the flour and the water together in a small dish and pour into the crockpot. Mix until well combines. This will add a nice thickness to the stew. Next add in your frozen peas and corn. Continue cooking covered for 30 minutes.
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Nutrition Information:
Nutrition Disclaimer
Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Post updated September 2020
Laura B says
Corey this is just the recipe I NEED! We just returned from Florida and it is freezing here! Going from the high 80’s everyday to the rainy cool 50’s is hard on us older folks. You can bet that this weekend, your stew will be warming our tummies!! Thank you for the great timing! You just never know how you help others!
Corey says
YAY! I am so glad I could help 🙂 Thank you so much for the super sweet comment Laura 🙂
Marianne says
I made this today. Followed recipe to a T. I have an excellent crockpot. Potatoes and carrots were hard. Cooked 10 hours on low. Found the stew to be bland. I had to add a 1/2 packet of onion soup to the mix.
Isaac says
If your crockpot had carrots and potatoes in it for ten hours stewing in vegetable juices and a quart of beef broth, and the carrots and potatoes were still hard, then there’s either something wrong with your crockpot, or something wrong with your crockpot operator. This recipe had nothing to do with it.
Elsa says
I agree! It only takes 3 hours to cook vegetables in a crockpot.
Vicki Crone says
I had a crockpot that would not cook items in 10 hours once. This is meaning the temperature is too low on it and is not considered safe for cooking. Often times this happens with the all in one cookers. For some reason they just don’t crock pot well. It is best just to use a plain old fashioned style one. Cheap and they work well.
Ruth Kramer says
Did you put the vegetables on the bottom or around the sides of the crock? My crock pot manual says to do that so they’ll get done with the meat.
Dana Bonnell says
Clearly something wrong with your Crockpot. Made this recipe a number of times…. never an issue.
P.dod777 says
Worked your recipe twice.. Gets better every time, even with our new AllClad 7 QT crock pot…We cooked all the ingredients as instructed on high for 4 hrs.. Then low for 4 hrs. I prepped the meat with Adolfs meat tenderizer the night before. and used Sweet Vidaeliea onions instead of red onions.. and no tomato paste… Off the wall good.. everything in that crock you could cut with a fork… Good stuff…… Thanks..
Wally Smith says
I noticed that you indicated that you left out the tomato paste. I intend on doing this also the next time that I make it. I followed the recipe using the tomato paste the last time and it came out good but I could not understand the reason for the tomato paste. To me . . . a tomato flavoring just does not complement a Beef stew. Can’t wait to try it without the tomato paste.
Ruth Kramer says
I haven’t made this yet but I’ll probably leave out the tomato paste too because i agree it does not go with beef stew. I never put that much Worcestershire sauce in anything because I don’t like it or the way it overpowers the other flavors. Probably will use 1 teaspoon of it at most. The dog can’t have tomatoes and I don’t make meat she cannot eat.
Josiah says
Love the recipe! I’ve made it multiple times but was never aware of the nutritional facts of the recipe and I am a bit surprised on the calories and carbs for this dish. However it is still really good
G.D. stevenson says
Not findings calories and carbs. Am I missing something?
Selena says
You could just look up calories and carbs yourself. If you google like “Calories in 1 medium potato” it will give you all the nutrition info.
steve says
This was really good. I only put 1 1/2 TBSP of Worcestershire sauce. I didn’t have flour so I used 1/2 the amount in corn starch. I didn’t have 6 ounces of tomato paste , but used 3 ounces of tomato puree.I also used a package of McCormick’s Beef stew. I added chicken broth from kitchen accomplice. Wow , this was really good.
Melanie says
I don’t use flour. I use instant potato buds. It’s great for thickening soups or stews and adds to the flavor.
Liz says
Looks great. Thanks Corey.
Maggie @ Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
I love a good hearty stew. Something to warm you up on a cold day in San Diego. That’s right. We get a winter too. 🙂
Wally Smith says
A “COLD” day in San Diego ? I would rather be out West right now than here in Maine !
PatS says
Made this the other night. It was delicious I followed the recipe exactly but used some venison stew meat I had in the freezer along with the beef. So good and very easy with the crock pot.
Ashlet says
I bet this would be yummy with some barley thrown in. I have a major thing for barley thought 🙂
Corey says
YUM! Sounds good to me!
Laurene says
Hi Ashlet,
Barley sounds like a great addition! When would you add it?
Thank you!
Jerry says
I think it would be about an hour before?
Suzanne says
This is a great! Mine came out a little spicy….maybe the pepper? What do you think?
Thank you so much for a great new meal!
Corey says
That is strange since nothing spicy went in! haha. Maybe the pepper then?
Pamela Bayless says
mine came out spicy.too. Then I read the recipe closer. The ingredients call for onions. The instruction calls for red onion. Thinking the yellow onion I used made it spicy.
Eileen says
Had same spiciness when I followed the recipe. Great flavor but too “hot” for our taste. Will definitely make it again and leave out the pepper. I think that was the culprit!
Brigitte Mason says
I loved the stew, but also thought it was a little spicy. I am thinking its the oregano. Next time I will use half the amount or leave it out and see if that was it.
James says
I would think it’s the worcestershire sauce seeing that it is a little spicy…. Just a thought
Eleanor says
I think James is right about the Worcestershire, but I think it’s an important ingredient (I love it!). I would suggest using less to taste, adding it near the end of cooking.
April K. says
I agree, probably way too much pepper. Mine was spicey and too flavorful as well, I think. Maybe half the pepper. Or even just 1/4 tsp. Pepper can easily make things “spicey”.
Lou says
I substituted beer for the wine (I’m a single Dad and don’t really drink wine, was cooking this up for some buddies during the Buffalo storm a few weeks back) came out delicious. My buddies asked me where I got the recipe and showed it to them.
Brenda says
Wine? Beer? I’ve read the ingredient list 3 times…. am I missing something?! 🙂
Mary says
I said the same thing, when I read this comment. Beer? Wine? Neither are in the list of ingredients…..Maybe he was making a joke and drank beer instead of wine while making the stew…HAHAHAHA!!
Mark says
Dang, I never find these online conversations while they’re still active. Anyway, Lou sounds like me… I had 3 or 4 recipes that I was looking at before I picked this one. One of the other ones called for red wine.
I started out to make this just the way you say, but after reading all the comments, I incorporated a few people’s good ideas. Hopefully it’ll turn out well… it’ll be ready at 7AM tomorrow morning!
Oh, and the wine your recipe didn’t call for… I substituted beer also! 🙂
Mark says
My stew turned out very well with the bottle of beer added. I didn’t have tomato paste so I substituted a little Goya Sofrito tomato cooking base. I also didn’t have a red onion so I used a sweet white onion. The stew had a slight, not unpleasant, sweetness. Could this be from the onion? The beer?
Pat says
Worcestershire is pretty spicy and goes a long way with a little. But it’s so good.
Stacy says
I reduced the pepper and the worcestershire. It sounds odd, but I’m wondering if it may be too much tomato paste that is overpowering the dish. My other beef recipes usually call for only 3 oz – half the amount here.
uthor says
That’s funny, I threw in a splash of Tabasco because I thought it needed a kick. 🙂
Mallorie says
I was thinking the same!..but I am from South Louisiana so I put cayenne and pepper in all of my cooking. Lol. This recipe is good though, I’ve made it a few times, adding someof my own seasonings of course.
Lauren says
Texas here! I added chopped jalapeños and some of the juice out of the jar. My stews and chili aren’t the same without it!
Beth says
I put in half the pepper and it was still too spicy! 1 tsp of black pepper is waaaay to much for a comforting beef stew. I’d say 1/4 tsp is enough.
Heather Lampman says
I see this as a well seasoned dish. Too much Worcestershire would make it taste salty; too much oregano would make it taste “grassy” , or kind of “funky”. I’m thinking that, for you, it might be the pepper. There’s quite a bit of pepper in this recipe. And, of course, there’s always the question of personal taste. I know that I don’t like recipes that are “blazing hot”, or even medium hot, while others crave spicy and hot dishes.
Mary says
I wonder if it’s the garlic, frankly.
The gentleman who put beer in? he probably had the right idea.
Chef Austin says
I always put a bottle of beer in my stews and its great!!
Rebecca says
Loved this stew! I will be making this again! 🙂
Tracie B says
In your picture, the meat looks cooked in when you put it in the crock pot. Do you need to cook or brown it prior to putting it in the crock, or can it be raw? I’ve never made beef stew before!
Corey says
You don’t need to brown the meat before putting it into the crockpot. If you want to cut down on the time, you can brown the beef.
Rhonda says
I looked up the 6 at crockpot you used/ is advertised here- the amazon reviews aren’t good?
Glass lid shattering, copy shut off before done etc.
did you encounter these problems?
Also- I’m a widow. I need healthy food too- could I cut most of these soup recipes in half? If so- should I get a 4 at crockpot? The 6qt looks massive. Limited counter n storage space. Also- do you use an immulsion blender? Any sugggestin s?
Corey says
WOW! I have never had an issue with my crockpot and the lid shattering. Yikes! I think a 4qt crockpot would work well for doing this recipe halved. I hope that helps!
Doreen says
I am a widow and I usually always half the recipes and just get what I need. Keeping a portion for the next day which cuts down on the energy used. You could make the full recipe and freeze two portions for the following week or two. You will then surely always have a meal prepared. You can then take it out of the freezer the previous night and just cook rice or mashed potatoes fresh from when you want to use up the other two portions.
don says
doyou brown the meat first
Corey says
No, you do not need to brown the meat first.
Patti says
I don’t have any beef broth on hand, but I do have vegetable broth, and may add a couple of beef bouillon. I got the vegetables all cut up (in water in fridge), and ready to just throw together in the am. Can’t wait to try it!
Brigette says
I have been searching for a recipe that was similar to my late Papaw’s beef stew recipe. He rarely cooked, but made this wonderful stew with no recipe. He even made my roommate and I a very large batch for our first year in the college dorms! When I saw your recipe I thought it sounded very close to Papaw’s so, I gave it a try. It was a near perfect imitation! It was soo delicious and when I brought the stew to my parents, they both echoed the same sentiment! Thank you for this recipe, it makes me so happy to finally find one that reminds me so much of my grandfather!!
Brigette says
I forgot, I did add a can of diced tomatoes because my grandfather did the same.
Corey says
How cool Brigette! I feel honored to be in the same ranking as your Papaw’s beef stew. Thank you for the amazing compliment. 🙂
Stephanie says
Love this recipe!!! I added a can of some stewed tomatoes and a little red wine. Perfect!
Susan says
Absolutely delicious!! My family really enjoyed this stew! A keeper in my recipe collection for sure!
Tamika says
Wonderful!!!! Just finished my second bowl, my husband and children loves it! Thank you for sharing!
Corey says
Awesome Tamika! Thank you so much for stopping by to share 🙂
Jessica says
I made this for dinner last night and it was wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Corey says
Thank you for sharing Jessica 🙂 I am so happy love loved it!
Elle says
Just made this today, being stuck indoors in the middle of a winter storm… this is by far the best crockpot beef stew I’ve had! Thanks for sharing it… I’ll definitely be making it again!
Elle says
Oh, I added fresh thyme to the recipe – I love thyme in everything though. 🙂
Corey says
Elle, you are so sweet! Thank you for the wonderful comment. That makes me so happy to hear you loved it so much 🙂
nicole says
Do you brown the meat before you add it to the crock pot? Thanks
Corey says
Nicole, you can, but it is not necessary. If you are in a rush and want the stew to cook faster, you could brown the beef to reduce cooking time. But I prefer just to throw it in without browning. Saves prep time and tastes just as good! Hope that helps!
XO
Karen says
Can you freeze this ?
Corey says
Yes Karen you can, but the potatoes might get a little watery after reheating.
Roger says
Just put on third pot. Tastes great! Thxs for sharing! I do add some red pepper and creole to add some spice!
Kelly says
This is in the crockpot right now! I can’t wait to taste it, it smells amazing.
John says
Making a big pot right now. I add some red pepper for spice and some bourbon. I cant wait to eat this tonight during the snow storm!
Beverly says
MMMmm. Bourbon. That is a great idea! I made this exactly as the recipe said, and it was great, but I think bourbon could make it even better.
Dana says
I love this recipe. I have made it once before and will be making it again this weekend for a bookclub. Thank you Corey!
Marina |Let the Baking Begin! says
This looks like a wonderful recipe for the winter season! I have a question though, do the potatoes hold shape or do they become somewhat mushy? Do you think additing them 3-4 hours into the cooking (on high) process would help the potatoes hold their shape better or would that not be enough time for them to cook?
Corey says
They times I have cooking this, my potatoes have held shape just great!
Melissa @ My Recent Favorite books says
This sounds delicious! and so easy!
Thanks for sharing.
Jenn says
Oh my goodness! Thank you! This recipe is fantabulous! We are in a deep deep freeze in Wisconsin this week (no school) and my kids commented all day on the wonderful smell coming from the kitchen! This is a keeper!
Corey says
I’m so happy to hear that my stew kept your family warm during the cold weather 🙂
Jacqus says
One thing I like to do to really deepen the flavor is brown the meat on
Medium high with a bit of oil and add to the pot. then take 1/4 cup each of finely chopped onions, celery and carrots and sauté over medium heat until well browned and caramelized about 10-12 min. Deglaze the pan with some broth and add to the pot. This adds a depth of flavor that can’t be beat.
Brenda says
I agree with Jacqus. I am in the process of making this stew and I ‘browned’ the meat + added 1/4 cup chopped onions, celery and carrotts and deglazed the pan with the broth, prior to adding it to the crock pot.
Larissa Da Silva says
I wish I read this before I threw it all in the pot… will note for next time!
Katiedidit says
Wow. I made this last night with Elk, on of my husband’s various donations to our freezer. Amazingly tasty. I added a couple chopped parsnps and turnips to the mix, along with some creole seasoning (about half a Tablespoon). So good I’m eating leftovers today, and I normally hate leftovers.
Best thing about the recipe is the lack of browning the meat before putting it in the pot. Certainly cuts down on the clean up time.
James says
Just left the store the ingredients……fingers crossed!!
Vicki says
I have been searching for a good beef stew recipe for years. I have tried many recipes and they were all okay, but nothing special (never made the same recipe twice). My husband said this was the best stew I ever made and my children loved it as well. My boys are 6 and 8 and this stew was so good they didn’t even complain about the vegetables. They both said it was tasty. This is a great recipe and simple to make and perfect for a cold winter day like today! I finally found the perfect beef stew recipe and won’t even look elsewhere! Thanks for sharing!
Corey says
Vicki!!!! This comment made my night! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a sweet comment. I am SO HAPPY to hear that your entire family love it 🙂 It really is one of my favorite recipes for the winter too 🙂
Tim M. says
I would like to double this recipe in order to have enough to last a few days. Will reheating it in the crockpot cuase the vegetables to over cook?
Corey says
Sorry Tim, I can’t say for sure, since I have never reheated this stew in the crockpot. But I would guess it would be ok, as long as you warmed it on a warm or low mode. Lets us know how it works out! Hope that helps 🙂
Tim M. says
Didnt want to chance it. Reheated it on the stove top instead. Great stew! I added McCormick Beef Stew seaoning, and 1 cup frozen green beans.
Tim M. says
Very Good Stew!
Lisa says
Trying out this tonight! It’s got little over an hour left but smells oh so good. I added a bit of brown sugar in mine, just for a touch of sweetness:) Can’t wait to eat!
kathy says
any ideas for a substitute for the flour, need to keep it Gluten free.
Corey says
Could you use a gluten free flour? Or do you not have a store nearby that carries that?
Robin says
I have seen recipes use tapioca flour as a thickening agent.
VJ says
Gluten-free thickener: I use cornstarch for gravy. I would think cornstarch would work in this recipe. 1 Tablespoon cornstarch = 2 Tablespoons flour. Or for this recipe, 1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) corn starch. I’m looking forward to making this stew tomorrow!!
Krista says
My daughter and husband are gluten-free and I have used tapioca pearls in beef stew and also cornstarch as suggested above. I have not tried tapioca flour, but have tried rice flour and found it too gritty. Good luck!!
Marcia says
Yes, cornstarch as a flour substitute- use about 2 T mixed with 1/3 cup water. Works like a charm!
Mike says
You could add instant mashed potatoes as a thickener
Robin says
I would like to make a double batch and cook one tonight and put the other in a freezer bag for future use. Have you tried this? I will not put the potatoes in the freezer bag as I saw you said they can get watery.
When removing from the freezer/bag, I expect you’d put the contents straight into crock pot, BUT does the time to cook then change? If so, do you happen to have the time to cook from frozen? Thanks.
Can’t wait to try this!
Corey says
Yes, I would put the whole thing in the crockpot. As far as cooking time goes, my suggested cooking time for frozen beef stew would be LOW for 11-12 hours and HIGH for 8-9. I hope that helps!
Robin says
Thank you!
Louise says
Would this recipe be too big for a 4 quart slow cooker?
Corey says
Yes. If you have to use a 4 qt, I would half the recipe 🙂
Larry Schwering says
I am a recent widower and lets just say that my culinary skills (at least for now) border on the non existent. Hopefully, little by little, I can accrue some simple recipes that even I can execute. Will give this one a try!
Michele says
I don’t have stew meat on hand so I am going to use 2lbs. venison hamburger. Do you think it will work out okay?
Adam says
Sear the meat before adding to the crockpot to keep it moist and to give the stew a nicer flavor.
Shonna says
Thanks for the great recipe! This was easy and delicious. I used whole chopped carrots instead of “baby carrots” and I cut my own chuck so prep time was more like 30 minutes. 30 minutes well spent! Yum 🙂
Kelley says
Hello there, I was just wondering, is that purple onions in the photo or am I mistaken?
I love purple onions, they add a little different flavor but either way would be great I’m sure! 🙂
Can’t wait to try! Thanks
Corey says
I have made it with both kinds of onion Kelley. I think whatever you have on hand would be fine.
Linda says
Made this stew today and thought it was delicious. Perfect for a cold wintery day lunch. Made only half recipe which cooked in about 4 hours. Will definitely make a whole recipe when my kids come to eat with me. Ate with French bread, but will make cornbread next time.
Jennifer says
Hi Corey!
I was at the super market buying groceries and decided to make my old standby crockpot beef stew and was trying to remember all of the ingredients. I decided to turn to my iphone for a reference and typed in beef stew crockpot recipes and came upon this one, it looked so good I decided to try it. I have it in the crockpot now! Looking forward to it!
Corey says
I hope you loved it Jennifer!
Elizabeth says
I did the same thing in the grocery store!!! Its been cooking for 2 1/2 hours now and smells devine! Can’t wait to try it!!!
Vicky says
Hi! I am making this as we speak and I can’t wait to see how it turns out 🙂
I too was wondering about the meat being raw because I wonder where the juices go but I guess it just adds flavor?!??
Kelly W says
Do you serve this with anything or just the stew by itself. Making it today. Thanks!
Corey says
If I have some fresh bread, that is always fun to serve with the stew for dunking 🙂
robert says
Made this stew yesterday and everyone loved it. Great flavor. Thick and hearty. Thanks for a great recipe from all of my family.
Robert
Charles says
I substituted beef for venison and added a touch of red wine and a bit of bacon fat…absolutely the best stew I have had.
Corey says
Yay Charles! I am so glad to hear you loved it! I will have to try venison in the stew one of these days 🙂
Morgan says
I’m cooking this tomorrow! Do you peel the potatoes?
Corey says
I don’t but we like skins 🙂 I hope you enjoy it Morgan!
Carla says
Just got back from the grocer with these ingredients! Can’t wait til it’s ready tonight. LOVE the reviews!
Adam says
Very good. A bit of fennel seed added an extra dimension to the flavor.
Megan S says
Best beef stew EVER! Simple, yummy ingredients and full of flavor- the beef melts in your mouth. I accidentally put the peas and corn in with everything when you first throw it in the crock put but it still turned out. Thanks, Corey! This one is taking a permanent spot in the ole recipe book 🙂
D says
Absolutely scrumptious.
Carol B says
How many would you say this serves? Thanks! I love it.
Corey says
About 6 big servings 🙂 If you have children, it can stretch to 8 servings 🙂
June says
Way to much tomato paste, I suggest maybe a couple tablespoons, not the whole can.