Easy Comforting Beef Stew Crock Pot Recipe for Cozy Meals

This classic beef stew recipe brings rich flavors and tender beef stew meat together in a slow cooker for an easy beef stew experience. The addition of red wine adds depth to this homemade beef stew, making it a cozy meal perfect for chilly days.

Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Recipe by Victoria JonesCourse: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

hours

Calories

500

kcal

minutes

A cozy and hearty beef stew that fills your home with incredible aromas, perfect for snowy days.

Ingredients

3 pounds cubed beef stew meat
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
3 onions, sliced
¼ cup red wine
4 large potatoes, cubed
1 cup baby carrots
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups boiling water
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
¼ cup warm water
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions

Place the cubed beef in a large plastic bag. In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup flour with salt, then pour it into the bag. Shake until the meat is well coated.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the floured meat and cook it in batches if necessary, until it’s browned on all sides. Transfer the meat to the slow cooker.
In the same skillet, melt the butter, then add the sliced onions and sauté them until they’re softened. Pour those delicious onions on top of your beef in the slow cooker.
Pour the red wine into the skillet and stir to loosen any browned bits left behind. Remove from heat and add the wine to the slow cooker.
Toss in the cubed potatoes, baby carrots, dried parsley, and ground black pepper.
In a small bowl, mix together 2 cups of boiling water and the dry onion soup mix, then pour that mixture into the slow cooker.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 6 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender.
If you like a thicker gravy, mix together ¼ cup warm water and 2 tablespoons of flour in a small bowl, then stir it into the stew. Cook uncovered for another 15 minutes if desired.

Notes

I recommend adding a little more salt before serving to enhance the flavors. You can also try using purple onions instead of white.

What You’ll Need

Gather these ingredients and tools to create a delicious beef stew:

3 pounds cubed beef stew meat
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 onions, sliced
¼ cup red wine
4 large potatoes, cubed
1 cup baby carrots
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups boiling water
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
¼ cup warm water
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Large plastic bag
Large skillet
Slow cooker

Detailed Cooking Instructions

Place the cubed beef in a large plastic bag.
In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup flour with salt. Pour this mixture into the bag and shake until the meat is coated.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the floured beef in batches, cooking until browned on all sides.
Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
Melt butter in the same skillet. Add sliced onions and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
Pour the sautéed onions over the meat in the slow cooker.
Add red wine to the skillet, stirring to loosen the browned bits. Remove from heat and pour the wine into the slow cooker.
Add cubed potatoes, baby carrots, dried parsley, and ground black pepper to the slow cooker.
In a small bowl, mix 2 cups of boiling water with the dry onion soup mix. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, reduce the heat to low and allow the stew to simmer for about 6 hours, or until the meat is tender.
If you prefer a thicker gravy, mix ¼ cup warm water with 2 tablespoons of flour in a small bowl. Stir this mixture into the stew.
Cook uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to thicken the sauce, if desired.
Before serving, taste the stew and add more salt if necessary to enhance the flavors.

Tips & Tricks

Slow cooker beef stew in a black crockpot, showing tender beef chunks, potato wedges, and carrot pieces in a thick brown gravy.

For extra flavor, marinate the beef overnight with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs before cooking.
You can substitute the red wine with beef broth or a splash of balsamic vinegar if you prefer less acidity.
Add other vegetables like celery or peas for a heartier stew.
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat for best results.
If the stew is too thick, add a bit more boiling water to reach your desired consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the secret to good beef stew?

The secret to good beef stew is browning the meat well before slow cooking. This adds deep flavor and helps the stew develop a rich taste over time.

What ingredients go in beef stew?

Beef stew typically includes beef chuck, onions, carrots, potatoes, celery, garlic, beef broth, and herbs like thyme or bay leaves. These ingredients create a hearty and balanced dish.

What is the secret ingredient in a stew?

A splash of acidic ingredients such as red wine or a touch of vinegar often acts as a secret ingredient. It brightens the flavors and balances the richness of the beef and vegetables.

What enhances the flavor of beef stew?

Slow cooking the stew allows the flavors to meld and intensify. Additionally, adding fresh herbs and seasoning at the end lifts the overall taste.

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Easy Comforting Beef Stew Crock Pot Recipe