Slow Cooker Beef Stew
A hearty and flavorful one-pot meal that cooks slowly for tender meat and delicious vegetables.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs stew meat
- 4 pieces carrots, sliced
- 4 pieces potatoes, diced
- 1 piece onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pieces bay leaves (optional) For extra flavor, if desired.
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the stew meat on all sides.
- Transfer the browned meat to the slow cooker.
- Add the carrots, potatoes, onion, and garlic on top of the meat.
- In a separate bowl, mix the beef broth, tomato paste, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the meat and vegetables in the slow cooker.
- If using, add bay leaves.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, or until the meat and vegetables are tender.
Serving
- Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a splash of red wine to the broth mix. Don't skip browning the meat; it adds depth to the flavor. Feel free to mix in other vegetables like peas or green beans. Adjust the seasoning to your taste; you can always add more salt or herbs.