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Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew

A warm, comforting dish filled with tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and a rich broth, perfect for busy families on chilly evenings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces Opt for beef chuck for its ideal balance of tenderness and flavor.
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 3 potatoes, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup frozen peas (optional) Add during the last 30 minutes of cooking if desired.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the beef chuck dry and season it generously with salt and pepper. Brown the beef in a skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side, then transfer to the slow cooker.
  2. In the same skillet, add a touch of olive oil, tossing in the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 2 minutes until translucent, and then add to the slow cooker.
  3. Add the sliced carrots, diced potatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and dried thyme into the slow cooker. Stir to ensure everything is well mixed.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
  2. If desired, stir in frozen peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Serving
  1. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot in bowls garnished with fresh parsley or thyme if desired.

Notes

To thicken the stew, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer.