Slow Cooker Beef Stew That Melts in Your Mouth

Best Ever Slow Cooker Beef Stew – chunky vegetables and tender beef make this stew comfort food at its best. Simple to prepare and slow-cooked for deep flavor, this is my go-to beef stew recipe.

When comfort food calls, the slow cooker delivers. Try this recipe for a cozy meal after a long day.

SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW

Winter’s chill makes a hearty bowl of beef stew especially satisfying. This slow cooker version fills the house with savory aroma and delivers melt-in-your-mouth beef alongside tender potatoes, sweet carrots and bright green beans. It’s hands-off cooking that rewards you with a comforting, flavorful dinner—perfect for busy weekdays or relaxed weekends.

Cooking low and slow for 6 to 8 hours yields incredibly tender beef and vegetables that soak up the rich broth. The result is a thick, savory stew that’s great served with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.

How to make Slow Cooker Beef Stew?

• Season the stew meat with salt and pepper and brown it in a skillet to develop deep flavor.
• Transfer the browned meat to the slow cooker and add the carrots, potatoes and garlic.
• Whisk together a portion of the beef stock with cornstarch to make a slurry, then pour it over the meat and vegetables.
• Add the remaining ingredients, cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
• Stir in green beans during the last 15–30 minutes so they stay bright and slightly crisp.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew Ingredients (your shopping list):

• Beef stew meat (about 1½ lbs)
• Olive oil
• Salt and ground black pepper
• Dried oregano
• Paprika
• Bay leaf
• Carrots, cut into large chunks
• Russet or Yukon potatoes, cut into large chunks
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Yellow onion, chopped
• Frozen green beans (optional)
• Tomato paste
• Beef broth or stock
• Worcestershire sauce
• Cornstarch
• Water (optional)

Tips for the best Slow Cooker Beef Stew:

• Cut potatoes and carrots to the same approximate size as the stew meat so everything cooks evenly.
• Use all beef stock instead of water for a richer, deeper flavor.
• Add frozen green beans in the final 15–30 minutes if you prefer them tender but still vibrant.
• For the most developed flavor, cook on LOW for 8 hours to let the beef fully tenderize.

How to thicken up beef stew?

To thicken the stew, whisk cornstarch into a small amount of cold water to form a slurry, then stir it into the slow cooker and continue cooking for 15–20 minutes until the broth thickens.

What is the best meat for beef stew?

Stew meat from the butcher is convenient and already cut. If buying a roast, choose chuck, chuck shoulder or a chuck roast and cut into roughly 2-inch pieces for tender, flavorful results.

More Easy Slow Cooker recipes:

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes

Slow Cooker Spiced Nuts

For more slow cooker dinners, explore additional crock-pot recipes and variations to suit your family’s tastes.

If you make this recipe, snap a photo and share it on Instagram. Tag @crunchycreamysweet so the author can see and leave a comment.