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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe Easy Perfect Root Vegetable Dinner

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A hearty and comforting slow cooker beef stew with tender beef and root vegetables, perfect for cozy dinners and easy meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1 ½-inch cubes
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup flour (30g) for dredging beef

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour until lightly coated. (10 minutes)
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides in batches, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker. (15 minutes)
  3. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour mixture into the slow cooker over the beef. (7 minutes)
  4. Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Stir gently to combine. (2 minutes)
  5. Nestle carrots, parsnips, and potatoes on top of the beef mixture. Do not stir. (5 minutes)
  6. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft but intact.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. If thickening is needed, mix 1 tablespoon flour or cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry and stir into stew. Cook uncovered for the last 20-30 minutes. (10-15 minutes)
  8. Ladle stew into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Browning the beef before slow cooking adds depth of flavor. Cut vegetables uniformly to avoid mushiness. Use low heat to keep vegetables intact. Adjust seasoning at the end. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch. Avoid stirring too much during cooking to keep broth clear.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, root vegetable stew, easy beef stew, comfort food, crockpot stew, hearty dinner

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