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Cozy Cheap Beef Stew Recipe Easy Hearty Slow Cooker Comfort for Six

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A hearty and budget-friendly slow cooker beef stew that feeds six comfortably, featuring tender beef chuck, carrots, potatoes, and a rich, savory broth. Perfect for cozy evenings and easy meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1½-inch cubes
  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into thick slices
  • 3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and cubed
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup flour (or gluten-free alternative)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and toss them in the flour seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, about 3-4 minutes per batch, then transfer to the slow cooker.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker over the beef.
  4. Add carrots and potatoes to the slow cooker.
  5. In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Add bay leaves on top.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and broth is slightly thickened.
  7. Remove bay leaves, taste, and adjust seasoning. For thicker stew, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, stir in, and cook on high for another 15 minutes.
  8. Serve hot with crusty bread or over buttered noodles.

Notes

Browning the beef before slow cooking adds significant flavor. Cut beef into uniform chunks for even cooking. If stew is too watery near the end, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes to reduce liquid. Stir occasionally during the last hour to prevent sticking. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. Leftovers taste better after a day and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, slow cooker, comfort food, easy recipe, budget-friendly, hearty stew, chuck roast, slow cooker beef stew

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/cozy-cheap-beef-stew-recipe-easy-hearty-slow-cooker-comfort-for-six/