Description
A hearty and flavorful Slow Cooker Beef Stew featuring tender beef, baby yellow potatoes, carrots, and celery simmered in a savory broth thickened with a cornstarch slurry for a perfect dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Seasoning
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Vegetables
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 pound baby yellow potatoes, halved
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup celery, diced
Liquids and Thickener
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Place the stew meat in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the flour, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and black pepper over the meat and toss well to coat all sides evenly. This helps to sear the beef flavor and slightly thicken the stew later.
- Add Vegetables and Broth: Add the diced onion, halved baby yellow potatoes, chopped carrots, and diced celery to the crockpot. Pour in the beef broth, tomato paste, and balsamic vinegar, then gently stir to combine all ingredients.
- Cook the Stew: Cover with the slow cooker lid and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. This slow cooking tenderizes the beef and allows flavors to meld perfectly.
- Thicken the Stew: About 30 minutes before serving, mix some of the hot liquid from the slow cooker with the cornstarch in a separate bowl to create a thin slurry. Stir this slurry back into the stew and continue cooking uncovered for 30 more minutes until the stew thickens. Adjust cornstarch amount as needed for desired consistency.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, brown the beef in a skillet before adding to the slow cooker.
- You can substitute beef broth with vegetable broth for a lighter taste.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or over steamed rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, slow cooked stew, beef stew recipe, easy slow cooker dinner, hearty beef stew
