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Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe Easy Perfect Root Vegetable Meal

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A comforting and hands-off slow cooker beef stew packed with tender beef and hearty root vegetables, perfect for chilly days and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1½-inch cubes
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 2 parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ cup red wine (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef chuck cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until a deep golden crust forms. Transfer browned beef to a plate.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and sauté the chopped onion for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
  4. Deglaze the pan by pouring in ½ cup red wine or a splash of beef broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon.
  5. Transfer the beef and sautéed aromatics to the slow cooker. Add carrots, parsnips, potatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, and beef broth. Stir gently to combine.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft but not mushy. If stew is too watery near the end, remove lid and cook on high for 30 minutes to thicken.
  7. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Remove bay leaves and thyme stems. For thicker stew, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into stew; cook on high for 15 minutes more.

Notes

Browning the beef before slow cooking adds rich flavor and improves texture. Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain heat. Use firm root vegetables to prevent mushy stew. For gluten-free, verify Worcestershire sauce or substitute with tamari. Cornstarch slurry can be used to thicken stew if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, hearty beef stew, root vegetable stew, easy beef stew, comfort food, slow cooker recipe

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