Crockpot Beef Stew is comfort food at its finest, a rich, hearty dish that fills your home with mouthwatering aromas and delivers satisfying, tender bites every time. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug on a cold day, and the best part is how easy it is to prepare. With a little chopping and a few pantry staples, your slow cooker does the rest.
This stew starts with well-marbled chunks of beef, chuck roast is ideal, seasoned and seared for that deep, caramelized flavor. Browning the meat might seem like an extra step, but it makes all the difference in building a rich base. Then come the classic stew vegetables: carrots, potatoes, celery, and onions. You can add extras like parsnips or mushrooms depending on what’s in season or what’s in your fridge.
The key to a great stew is the broth. Beef stock, a splash of red wine, garlic, tomato paste, and a handful of herbs like thyme and bay leaves create a deeply flavorful liquid that simmers for hours. As the crockpot does its slow magic, the beef becomes fork-tender and the vegetables soak up all the savory goodness.
By the time dinner rolls around, all that’s left to do is stir, taste, and serve. Some people like to thicken the broth a bit with flour or cornstarch near the end, while others prefer it more soup-like. Either way, a hunk of crusty bread on the side is always a good idea.
Crockpot beef stew is also incredibly forgiving. You can prep it the night before, let it cook while you’re at work, and come home to a meal that tastes like you spent all day over the stove. It also freezes well, making it a smart make-ahead option for busy weeks.

Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 carrots sliced
- 4 potatoes peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14 ounces
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- 1 tsp rosemary dried
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a crockpot, combine beef stew meat, onion, carrots, potatoes, garlic, diced tomatoes, beef broth, dried thyme, and dried rosemary.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
easy to make but i thought beef should be tender but it was tough.. don’t get it
Stupid recipe. Didn’t turn out like my mom’s, and now I’m sad.
why always beef stew? why not turkey strew? lol
Haha, true! Turkey stew could be interesting! But beef just makes it so hearty! 🥩
I dunno, but beef goes better with them veggies! Turkey’s too dry sometimes. 🤷♂️
This stew was a lifesaver! So easy to make and it really hit the spot on a cold day. Highly recommend!
Best beef stew I’ve ever tried! I’m definitely making this again. My whole family loved it.
Delicious! I added some red wine and it was perfection. Highly recommend!
This stew was sooo good! My kids loved it! Will make again for sure!
This is just like my grandma used to make! Takes me back. 😊
I tried this in my Insta pot instead, turned out great!
Good enough. My kids liked it too, tho they said it looks like mush.🤷♀️
Simple and tasty! But where’s the corn? You gotta put corn in a stew for it to be a stew, am I right?
I totally agree! Corn adds that special sweetness. Gonna try adding it next time!
This recipe is so simple and delicious! My family loved it.
Yo, this recipe is fire. Just throwin’ everything in and let it go. Sooo easy!
Meh. I’ve had better. Not sure what all the hype is about. I’ll stick with my own recipe.
This was absolutely delicious! The flavors were rich and comforting. Perfect for a cold night!
I think stew should have peas! Why didn’t you include them?
I followed the recipe but it came out too watery. Not sure what went wrong.
Not bad, but I think it needs more spices. It was kinda bland.
Good recipe, but I accidentally used chicken broth instead of beef. Still turned out okay!
Do you really need 8 hours? That seems like forever!
Yummy! Perfect for a cold day. Thanks for sharing!
Easy peasy! Maybe too easy, I feel like a chef now!
Haha, you really are a chef now! This stew is super simple but tastes so good. Enjoy your new skills!
I followed the recipe but it turned out a bit bland. Maybe I didn’t have enough salt?
Meh, it was just okay. I expected more flavor. Needs something extra.
Honestly, I thought it would be more complicated. Totally surprised how simple it was!
My stew was kinda bland… maybe I used too much broth?
You should try adding some spices, like paprika or maybe some red pepper flakes! That could add a nice kick. Don’t give up, stew can be super flavorful!
I followed the recipe but it came out really bland. Maybe I should have added more spices? 🤔
I followed the recipe but it came out too salty. Maybe I added too much salt?
Yeah, salt can be tricky. Next time maybe start with half the salt and adjust after cooking. Better to add than to take away!
My grandma used to make stew like this but she added peas. Just saying.
I don’t have a crockpot, can I make this on the stove? Would it still work?
YUUMM!! Best beef stew I’ve ever made. 10/10 recommend!!!
I didn’t have thyme, so I put in basil, hope it’s still good lol.
This stew turned out fantastic! My family loved it. The flavors are super rich.
This is OK. But why do we need to cook for so long? That’s crazy!
Cooking for that long allows the flavors to develop and makes the meat super tender! It’s worth the wait!
I don’t eat beef, so I used chicken instead. It was still good, lol!
Ugh, I tried it and it was so soggy! What’s the point of using potatoes if they’re gonna mush up?
This stew be a win! I added some beans and corn, not traditional but wow, yum!
Adding beans and corn? That’s not how my grandma made it, but if you like it, go for it! Sometimes you gotta experiment. Just hope the beef doesn’t get lost in there!
Yum! Sounds like a fun twist! It’s all about what tastes good to you. Plus, beans and corn give good nutrients too. Gonna try that next time!