The Ultimate Set-It-and-Forget-It Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

On a cool day, nothing is more reassuring than a bowl of rich, hearty beef stew.  However, who has the time to spend hours caring for a pot on the stove? The solution is this recipe for the Ultimate Slow-Cooker Beef Stew.  While your slow cooker handles the labour-intensive work, it produces fall-apart tender beef with rich, complex flavours. It's the ideal hands-off dinner for a leisurely weekend or a hectic weeknight. Additionally, properly prepared components are the first step in making a fantastic stew, which is where a sharp, dependable knife from Sharp Blades comes in handy.

Ingredients
2 lbs (900g) beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup red wine (like Cabernet Sauvignon) or additional beef broth
4 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp dried thyme
2 bay leaves
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup frozen peas

Necessary Utensils:
6-Quart or Larger Slow Cooker
Sharp Chef's Knife (Essential for easy, even dicing)
Cutting Board
Large Skillet
Tongs
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Mixing Bowls

Cooking Time:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours on Low or 4-6 hours on High
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes (mostly hands-off)

Comprehensive Preparation Guidelines:
Get the beef ready: 
Pat the beef chuck cubes totally dry with paper towels.  To achieve a decent sear, this is essential.  Mix the flour, salt, and pepper in a big basin until the meat cubes are well covered.

To sear to perfection:
Heat a big skillet's olive oil over medium-high heat.  Sear the beef cubes for two to three minutes on each side, or until a deep brown crust forms, working in batches to prevent crowding.  Turn the meat with your Sharp Blades tongs.  To your slow cooker, add the seared beef.

Sauté Aromatics: 
Add the chopped onion to the same skillet.  Cook until tender, 4–5 minutes.  Cook the minced garlic for an additional minute until it becomes aromatic.  To deglaze the pan and scrape out all the browned bits from the bottom, pour in the red wine (or broth).  Give it a minute or two to simmer.

Combine in Slow Cooker: 
Cover the beef in the slow cooker with the pan juices, onion, and garlic.  Stir in the tomato paste, dried thyme, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth.  Make sure the tomato paste is dissolved and mix thoroughly.

Add Filling Vegetables: 
Carefully arrange the chunks of celery, potato, and carrot over the beef and stock combination.  This lets them steam a little as the beef braises underneath, so don't stir them in all the way.

Cover and cook:
On LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours to achieve tenderness.  When the beef is so soft that it shreds easily with a fork, the stew is done.

Final Touches: 
Stir in the frozen peas about half an hour before serving.  To make a slurry, combine 2 tablespoons cornflour with 3 tablespoons cold water if you like your stew thicker.  Add this to the stew and simmer for the last 30 minutes on HIGH to thicken.  Before serving, take off the bay leaves.

Serve and Savour: 
Serve the stew with crusty bread for dipping after ladling it into bowls.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Calories: 420
Carbs: 35g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 16g
Fiber: 6g
Sugar: 8g

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

Pro Tip from Sharp Blades:
For the most tender beef stew, always take the extra minute to sear your meat! Searing locks in juices and creates a flavorful fond in the pan that forms the base of your rich gravy. Using a razor-sharp chef's knife from Sharp Blades to cube your beef and chop your vegetables ensures clean cuts, which means less tearing of the meat fibers and more consistent cooking.

Looking for more easy family dinner ideas? Discover our collection of "best slow cooker recipes for busy weeknights" and "easy one-pot meals for family dinner" on the Sharp Blades blog!