Some nights, I just need dinner to cook itself. Between chasing my toddler, helping with homework, and trying to keep my house from looking like a tornado hit it, standing over a stove is not happening. That’s why I love beef stew crock pot recipes—they’re easy, fast, and make my house smell like I actually tried.
This slow cooker beef stew is one of the best beef stew crock pot recipes I’ve ever made. It’s rich, hearty, packed with tender beef and veggies, and honestly, pure comfort in a bowl. Whether you’re using classic beef stew meat, ground beef, or even swapping in whatever you have, this is one of those crockpot recipes beef stew lovers will go crazy for. It’s one of those easy beef stew recipes that you can throw together in the morning, and by dinnertime, you’ve got a cozy, homemade meal with zero stress.
If you’ve been searching for simple beef stew crock pot recipes, hearty beef stew crockpot meals, or just a slow cooker beef stew easy enough for busy weeknights, this one’s for you. Whether you call it a crock pot soup, crockpot stew, or just a life-saving meal, trust me—this is about to be your new favorite slow cooker recipe beef stew lovers will devour.
Why You’ll Love This Stew
- It’s easy. Like, throw everything in the pot and forget about it easy.
- One pot = fewer dishes. Enough said.
- Leftovers taste even better. So make extra. Future-you will thank you.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into chunks
- 1 lb mushrooms, sliced (baby bella or white mushrooms work great)
- 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 potatoes, diced (I use russet or Yukon gold)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for thickening)
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Beef (If You Have Time)
Listen, this step is totally optional, but if you have an extra five minutes, searing the beef in a hot pan before throwing it in the slow cooker makes a huge difference. It locks in flavor and gives the stew that deep, rich taste. If you’re in full-on survival mode (I get it), just toss the beef in raw. It’ll still be delicious.
Step 2: Load Up the Slow Cooker
Grab your slow cooker and start dumping. Beef, mushrooms, carrots, potatoes, onion, and garlic all go in. Then pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and all the seasonings. Give it a little stir if you feel like it, but honestly, it’s fine if you don’t.
Step 3: Set It and Forget It
Put the lid on, set your slow cooker to low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, and walk away. Go do life—wrangle kids, catch up on laundry, or, let’s be honest, scroll on your phone for a bit.
Step 4: Thicken It Up
About 30 minutes before it’s done, mix together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl, then stir it into the stew. This helps thicken up that delicious broth so it’s rich and hearty instead of soupy. Let it cook a little longer until it thickens.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle that cozy, slow-cooked goodness into bowls and serve it up with some crusty bread. Trust me, you need the bread for soaking up every last bit of that flavorful gravy.
Tips & Variations
- Don’t like mushrooms? No worries. Swap them out for peas or green beans.
- Want a little spice? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Need it dairy-free/gluten-free? It already is, just make sure your Worcestershire sauce is GF-friendly.
- Love extra veggies? Throw in some celery or bell peppers.
Leftovers? Even Better
This stew somehow tastes even better the next day, after all the flavors have had time to hang out together. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove.
So there you have it—an easy, no-fuss beef and mushroom stew that makes itself while you do literally anything else. It’s rich, comforting, and exactly what you need on a chilly night. Let me know if you try it, and if your kids actually eat the mushrooms, you deserve a gold medal.
FAQs for Slow Cooker Beef and Mushroom Stew
Can I use frozen beef for this stew?
Yes! You can put frozen beef straight into the slow cooker, but keep in mind it might take a little longer to cook. I’d recommend adding an extra hour on low. If you have time, thawing the beef first helps it cook more evenly.
Do I have to brown the beef before adding it to the slow cooker?
Nope! Browning the beef first adds extra flavor, but if you’re in a rush (or just don’t feel like dirtying another pan), you can toss it in raw. It will still be delicious.
Can I make this with ground beef instead of stew meat?
Absolutely! If you want a hamburger beef stew crockpot version, just brown the ground beef first, drain the grease, and then follow the rest of the recipe as written.
How long does this stew last in the fridge?
It stays fresh in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Just reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.
Slow Cooker Beef and Mushroom Stew
Slow Cooker Beef and Mushroom Stew
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into chunks
- 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
- 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water for thickening
Instructions
- (Optional) Brown the Beef: If you have time, sear the beef chunks in a hot pan for extra flavor. If not, skip this step and add the beef raw.
- Load the Slow Cooker: Add the beef, mushrooms, carrots, potatoes, onion, and garlic to the crockpot. Pour in beef broth, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. Stir lightly.
- Set It and Forget It: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours until the beef is tender.
- Thicken the Stew: In the last 30 minutes, mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl and stir it into the stew. Let it cook until thickened.
- Serve & Enjoy: Ladle into bowls and serve with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Swap mushrooms for peas or green beans if you’re not a fan.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- For a ground beef beef stew crockpot version, brown and drain ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker.
And that’s it—dinner made easy! This slow cooker beef stew is hands down one of the best beef stew crock pot recipes I’ve ever made. It’s warm, hearty, and packed with flavor, and the best part? The crock pot slow cooker does all the work while you handle everything else life throws at you (which in my case, usually involves chasing my toddler away from the pantry for the 100th time).
Whether you’re looking for easy beef stew recipes, a simple beef stew crock pot recipe, or even a twist like hamburger beef stew crockpot style, this one’s a keeper. It’s great for meal prep, leftovers taste even better, and it works with whatever you have on hand—ground beef beef stew, chuck roast, or classic beef stew meat recipes all work perfectly.
So next time you need a no-fuss dinner, save this slow cook beef stew crockpot recipe and let your crockpot recipes beef stew dreams come true. One pot, minimal effort, and a dinner that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. That’s a win in my book!
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