Crock Pot Beef Stew

Crock Pot Beef Stew

Classic beef stew was never difficult to make, but now it’s even easier. This delicious slow cooker beef stew starts with chuck roast cubes, Yukon gold potatoes, carrots, celery, garlic, and onions. Then, I combine it with zesty spices, Rotel tomatoes, and cream of mushroom soup to create a rich, creamy beef stew that’s loaded with flavor and so simple to make. It’s rich, hearty, and beefy, and it satisfies even the biggest eaters. This is the best beef stew and it feeds an army, you guys!

Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Beef Stew

• It’s super easy to make, and it uses simple ingredients.
• It’s slow cooked until the meat is super tender.
• And, it’s a hearty, delicious beef stew recipe the whole family will enjoy.

Tips

• Be sure to spray your crock pot with nonstick spray. Even though this is a soup, you don’t want the beef to stick.
• Layering the vegetables, beef, and soups in that order ensures the most even cooking of all ingredients.
• Chuck roast is your best bet for the most tender beef in your stew.

Variations

• I love the flavor of Rotel, but you can add stewed tomatoes if you don’t have any.
• Add any of your favorite vegetables to this stew recipe.
• If you don’t like spicy food, omit the red pepper flakes.

What to Serve with Crock Pot Beef Stew

Beef stew is a meal all on its own, but it’s also delicious with these amazing side ideas.

• Crusty bread
• Garlic bread
• Salad
• Mashed potatoes
• Cheddar biscuits
• Biscuits
• Cornbread
• Crescent rolls

Recipe FAQ

Can I put raw beef in a slow cooker?

Absolutely. Slow cookers are designed to cook meats from raw, so it’s completely safe.

What is the secret to tender beef stew?

There are two keys – cut choice and time. Chuck roast is the best cut to use because it’s full of collagen and connective tissue. That brings us around to time. Cooking beef stew low and slow lets all that connective tissue in the chuck roast dissolve and make super tender beef.

Do you have to brown stew meat before putting it in the crock pot?

It’s totally optional. Many people prefer the beef browned before cooking, but some would rather save time and just put it in the crock pot as-is. If you prefer to brown your roast, place it in a large skillet on medium-high heat and let brown on each side for 1-2 minutes before placing in the slow cooker.

Can you overcook beef stew in a crock pot?

You can, but it’s very difficult. Slow-cooked stew is incredibly forgiving, but you can cook it so long that the beef actually becomes tough and the juices begin to evaporate. However, that takes several hours of cooking beyond the time that the stew is actually ready.

How do you thicken crock pot beef stew?

I like to use cream soup to keep my stew thick without any extra work. However, if your stew is too thin, you can use a slurry of flour and water or a cornstarch slurry. Mix either into the stew and cook it on high for an hour until it thickens up.

How to Store, Reheat, and Freeze Leftover Beef Stew

Store this stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container.

To reheat, just place the stew in a pot and heat over medium-low heat until heated through.

Crock Pot Beef Stew Ingredients

This classic beef stew only uses simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store. You probably have many of them in your kitchen right now.

• Beef chuck roast, or beef stew meat
• Onion
• Cloves garlic
• Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes
• Baby Yukon gold potatoes or russet potatoes
• Carrots
• Celery
• Rotel®
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Lipton® onion soup mix

How to Make Crock Pot Beef Stew

This is just about the easiest beef stew you’ll ever make. It only takes a couple of steps. After that, it’s just a matter of waiting.

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

Spray a 6 to 8-quart crock pot with nonstick spray. Then, add the onions, carrots, celery, potatoes, and garlic. Next, add the meat followed by the seasonings and onion soup mix. Finally, pour the Rotel and soup over the top.

Step 2: Cook

Cover and cook on high for 5 to 6 hours or on low for 8 to 10 hours. Serve in a bowl with your favorite bread and enjoy.

Try This Delicious Crock Pot Beef Stew Today

This crock pot beef stew is so easy to make and delivers all the delicious flavors we love about classic beef stew. It couldn’t be easier or more delicious. It’s the perfect family meal, and it can feed an army. Give this stew a try, and I know it will quickly become one of your favorite recipes.

Here are More Delicious Crock Pot Recipes to Try

Crock Pot Chicken Broccoli & Rice – An easy and delicious dinner recipe that is loaded with flavor, super healthy, and something the entire family will enjoy.

Slow Cooker Chicken & Stuffing – An easy recipe that takes only a matter of minutes to throw together, but has so much flavor and makes a great weeknight dinner.

Green Chicken Enchilada Soup – An easy and delicious crock pot recipe that is simple to make and is a great dinner recipe for a cold night.

And, try this Hearty Turkey Corn Chowder from Great Grub, Delicious Treats. It’s the perfect soup to make with leftover turkey and is hearty, flavorful, filling, and super easy to make and can easily be made in a dutch oven or a crock pot.