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Wholesome Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe

Wholesome Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

A hearty and flavorful Wholesome Crockpot Beef Stew made with tender beef cubes, fresh vegetables, rich beef stock, and aromatic herbs, slow-cooked to perfection. This comforting stew is ideal for a nourishing family meal and can be effortlessly prepared using a slow cooker for deep, tender flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasonings

  • 2 ½ pounds stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ½ teaspoon celery salt
  • ¼ cup flour

Cooking Fats

  • 3–6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons chilled butter (divided)

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 2 cups chopped yellow onions
  • 4 minced garlic cloves
  • 5 medium carrots, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pound baby Yukon gold potatoes, halved or quartered
  • 1 cup frozen peas

Liquids and Flavorings

  • 1 cup cabernet sauvignon or merlot wine
  • 4 cups beef stock
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 tablespoons tomato concentrate
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 rosemary sprig
  • ¼ cup cold water mixed with 3 tablespoons corn starch (optional, for thickening)
  • 2–3 drops Gravy Master (optional, for deeper color)

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Season the Meat: Cut the beef into 1-inch cubes, removing any large pieces of fat but leaving marbled fat intact. Season the meat generously with black pepper, garlic salt, and celery salt, then evenly coat the cubes with flour by sprinkling over and tossing thoroughly.
  2. Sear the Meat: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding and brown each side for about 45 seconds until nicely seared. Add more oil if needed. Transfer seared meat to the slow cooker.
  3. Sauté the Onions and Deglaze the Pan: Reduce heat to medium and melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the skillet. Add chopped onions and cook about 5 minutes until translucent and soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Pour a splash of wine into the pan and scrape the browned bits with a silicone spatula to deglaze. Transfer this mixture to the slow cooker.
  4. Cook the Stew: Add remaining ingredients except frozen peas, cornstarch slurry, and 2 tablespoons of cold butter to the slow cooker. Stir well, cover, and cook on low for 7½ to 8 hours or on high for 3½ to 4 hours, until vegetables are tender and potatoes are fork-soft.
  5. Add Final Ingredients and Thicken: In the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the frozen peas. Remove the bay leaves and rosemary sprig. For a thicker stew, slowly stir in a slurry made from ¼ cup cold water mixed with 3 tablespoons cornstarch. Allow to thicken before proceeding.
  6. Finish and Serve: Turn off the heat once the stew has reached desired consistency. Swirl in 2 tablespoons of cold butter to create a velvety, smooth texture using the “Monter au Beurre” technique. Optionally, add 2-3 drops of Gravy Master for a richer color. Serve hot and enjoy your wholesome beef stew.

Notes

  • Use good quality stew meat with some marbled fat for the best tenderness and flavor.
  • Browning the meat in batches prevents steaming and helps develop deeper flavors.
  • Deglazing the pan with wine lifts all the flavorful browned bits into the stew.
  • Adjust the amount of olive oil as needed based on your pan size and batch size.
  • Adding the peas late preserves their texture and color.
  • The cornstarch slurry is optional; it helps thicken the stew for a richer texture.
  • The “Monter au Beurre” step enriches the stew and adds silkiness without making it greasy.
  • Use Gravy Master sparingly; it adds color but can have a strong flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, crockpot stew, slow cooker beef stew, hearty stew, comfort food, casserole, winter recipe

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/wholesome-crockpot-beef-stew-recipe/