This traditional Beef Stew is loaded with tender bites of juicy beef, golden potatoes, carrots, peas, red wine, onions, garlic, and a hearty beef broth. It's the BEST Slow Cooker recipe for Fall and Winter.
Recipe by Stephanie on September 17, 2020
Prep time: PT20M
Cook time: PT240M
Total time: PT260M
Rating
4.98 stars (731 reviews)
Keywords
Best Ever, Easy, Hearty, Traditional
Ingredients
2 ½ pounds stew meat (see notes)
½ teaspoon EACH: black pepper, garlic salt, celery salt
1/4 cup flour
3-6 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons cold butter (divided)
2 cups yellow onions (diced)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1 cup cabernet sauvignon (or merlot. See notes.)
4 cups beef broth
2 beef bouillon cubes
2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
3 tablespoons tomato paste
5 medium carrots (cut into 1-inch chunks)
1 lb. baby Yukon gold potatoes (halved or quartered)
2 bay leaves
1 sprig rosemary
1 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup Cold Water + 3 tablespoons Corn Starch (Optional)
2-3 drops Gravy Master (*Optional*- Adds a richer, darker color.)
Categories
Main Course
Soup
Cuisine
American
Steps
Cut meat into 1-inch cubes, discard any large pieces of fat. Fat marbleized into the meat is fine!
Sprinkle beef with black pepper, garlic salt, and celery salt. Toss to coat. Sprinkle flour over the meat and toss again.
Heat 3 Tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat in batches, don’t overcrowd the pan. Brown on each side for 45 seconds. Add more oil if needed. Transfer to slow cooker.
Reduce heat to medium and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add a splash of wine and use a silicone spatula to loosen the brown bits in the skillet, this will add more flavor to the stew. Transfer the onions, garlic, and remaining wine to the slow cooker.
Add all remaining ingredients except for the peas, corn starch mixture, and 2 tablespoons of cold butter.
Cook on low for 7 ½ to 8 hours or high for 3½ to 4 hours, until the vegetables are softened and the potatoes are fork tender.
Add the peas during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Remove the bay leaves and rosemary stem.
Optional: To thicken, combine ¼ cup COLD water with 3 Tablespoons of cornstarch. Slowly add it to the stew, stirring to incorporate. It will continue to thicken upon standing.
Turn off the heat. Swirl in 2 tablespoons of cold butter for a smooth, velvety finish. This is a technique that chefs use called “Monter au Beurre”. Optional: Add 3 drops of Gravy Master for an even darker color.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 507 kcal
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Protein: 49 g
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Cholesterol: 132 mg
Sodium: 1035 mg
Sugar: 7 g
Reviews
Margo on 2025-11-16 (5 stars): This is a fail safe recipe. I am so happy I found it! Delicious!!
Nancy Penn on 2025-11-15 (5 stars): Too good! My only problem was, since I am in German shepherd rescue, and have 5, I couldn't get around my kitchen from the moment I started cutting up the meat!! I had apt pupils all around me the entire day! Just the look in their eyes as this incredibly fragrant meal slow cooker, all day!! How could I say no, to just a little taste?!? Thanks soo much!! Oh yeah, the husband raved about it, too!!
Amy Malak on 2025-11-11 (5 stars): This is the most delicious beef stew recipe!! My whole family and one of the kids friends loved it!! Everyone ate their entire bowl and asked for more. I will certainly make this again.
Patti on 2025-11-11 (5 stars): This is absolutely the best beef stew we have ever had! Next time I will double the recipe because it was gobbled up in no time. Thank you for a delicious recipe.
Deborah Majesky on 2025-11-11 (5 stars): I think this is the most delicious beef stew I have ever made in my 70 years! It deserves more than five stars, I cut the recipe in half and it came out great it has the most flavor and smelled so good all day long cooking in my crock pot it's definitely a winner and I am passing it on to my daughters!
Danielle Murphy on 2025-11-09 (5 stars): This is the best beef stew. My 11 yr old daughter loved it and wants me to make it again. The only thing I changed was the broth. I subbed beef for veggie and still really flavorful. I love the buttery flavor at the end.