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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe Easy Homemade Root Vegetable Dinner

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

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1 ½-inch cubes
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 2 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped
  • 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 4 cups beef broth (preferably low-sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup frozen peas (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper. Toss the beef in the flour until evenly coated.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker.
  3. In the same skillet, add chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, scraping up browned bits.
  4. Pour the onion, garlic, and tomato paste mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
  5. Add carrots, parsnips, and potatoes on top of the beef mixture.
  6. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir gently to combine without disturbing layering too much.
  7. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are soft but not mushy.
  8. About 15 minutes before serving, stir in frozen peas if using. Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  9. Ladle stew into bowls and serve, optionally with crusty bread or a green salad.

Notes

Browning the beef before slow cooking adds extra flavor but can be skipped if short on time. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder. Add frozen peas at the end for color and sweetness. Adjust thickness with cornstarch slurry if needed. Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid frequently to maintain cooking temperature.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-stew-recipe-easy-homemade-root-vegetable-dinner/