Are you ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience? This Classic Slow Cooker Stew is not just a meal—it's a warm hug in a bowl that promises to transport you to a world of rich, hearty flavors and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. With minimal prep and maximum deliciousness, this American-style stew will become your go-to recipe for cozy nights and family gatherings, delivering restaurant-quality comfort right from your kitchen.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 8 hrs
Total Time: 8 hrs 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 3 potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by cutting beef into uniform cubes, chopping onions, slicing carrots, and dicing potatoes to ensure even cooking.
- Season beef cubes generously with salt and pepper, ensuring each piece is well-coated for maximum flavor development.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the beef cubes in batches, creating a rich caramelized exterior that will enhance the stew's depth of flavor.
- Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker, leaving behind any browned bits in the skillet for additional flavor base.
- In the same skillet, sauté chopped onions until translucent, then add tomato paste and cook for an additional minute to develop a deeper, richer taste.
- Add sautéed onions and tomato paste to the slow cooker with the browned beef.
- Add sliced carrots, diced potatoes, beef broth, and dried thyme to the slow cooker, stirring gently to combine all ingredients.
- Cover slow cooker and set to low heat, cooking for 8 hours to allow meat to become tender and flavors to meld together.
- After cooking time is complete, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Let stew rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and sauce to thicken slightly.
Tips
- Browning the beef is a crucial step that develops deep, complex flavors. Take your time and don't rush this process.
- Cut meat and vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- For an extra flavor boost, consider deglazing the skillet with a splash of red wine after browning the meat.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to control the salt content of your stew.
- If the stew seems too thin after cooking, you can create a quick slurry with cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce.
- This stew tastes even better the next day, so don't hesitate to make it in advance.
- Serve with crusty bread or over rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 100mg
