Description
This hearty Crock Pot Beef Stew is the perfect comfort food, slow-cooked to tender perfection with beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, and aromatic herbs. The long cooking time allows flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a rich and savory stew ideal for cozy meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into cubes
Vegetables
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Seasonings
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup flour (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Season the Beef: In a large bowl, season the beef stew meat generously with salt and pepper. If you prefer a thicker stew, lightly coat the beef cubes with flour at this stage.
- Layer Ingredients in Crock Pot: Place the seasoned beef into the Crock Pot. Add the prepared potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic on top.
- Add Broth and Herbs: Pour the beef broth and water into the Crock Pot. Sprinkle in the dried thyme, dried rosemary, and add the bay leaf. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Cook the Stew: Cover the Crock Pot with its lid and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours, or on high heat for 4 to 5 hours. The stew is done when the beef is tender and the vegetables are fully cooked.
- Final Touches: Before serving, remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the stew and adjust seasoning as needed with more salt or pepper.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the warm stew into bowls and serve immediately for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a thicker stew, coat the beef with flour before adding to the Crock Pot or stir in a slurry of flour and cold water during the last hour of cooking.
- You can substitute other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for variety.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Adjust cooking times if using a different slow cooker size to ensure even cooking.
