Description
A hearty and flavorful slow cooker beef stew with tender chunks of beef chuck roast, fresh carrots, Yukon Gold potatoes, and aromatic herbs. This comforting dish is perfect for a cozy meal and requires minimal hands-on time, allowing the slow cooker to meld the rich flavors over several hours.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Vegetables
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into chunks
- 4 medium carrots, sliced
- 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, quartered
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquid and Seasonings
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp oil for searing (vegetable or olive oil)
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef chunks on all sides until a crust forms, about 4-5 minutes per side. This step locks in flavor.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onions and minced garlic to the same skillet and cook until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared beef and sautéed onions and garlic to the slow cooker. Layer the sliced carrots and quartered potatoes on top.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour the beef broth over the ingredients until covered. Add the bay leaves, fresh thyme, rosemary, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine flavors.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft.
- Serve: Remove bay leaves before serving. Adjust seasoning if needed and enjoy your comforting beef stew.
Notes
- Searing the beef before slow cooking enhances flavor but can be skipped in a pinch for a quicker prep.
- For thicker stew, remove the lid in the last 30 minutes to let it thicken or add a cornstarch slurry if desired.
- Bay leaves are aromatic but should be removed before serving to avoid bitterness and choking hazard.
- This stew can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
