Description
This slow cooker beef stew recipe is hearty, tender, and full of comforting flavors, featuring beef, bacon, mushrooms, and vegetables simmered to perfection. It’s an easy way to make a delicious meal with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 slices center cut bacon, chopped
- 1 ½ pounds chuck beef, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 ½ cups cremini mushrooms, halved or quartered
- 1 cup shallots, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 ½ cups carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer bacon to the slow cooker.
- Toss beef cubes in flour, onion powder, ¾ teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Brown beef in batches in the same skillet. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker.
- Add 1 teaspoon bacon fat to the skillet. Cook mushrooms with the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt for 4-5 minutes until browned.
- Add shallots and garlic to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in tomato paste.
- Transfer the mushroom mixture to the slow cooker. Pour in beef broth and stir to combine all ingredients.
- Add carrots, thyme, and rosemary to the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. Remove herb sprigs before serving.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour.
- Chuck beef is recommended for its tenderness.
- The flavors deepen overnight, making it ideal for making ahead.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- If the stew is too thin, let it rest uncovered for 10 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx.)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: N/A