big bowl of crock pot beef stew

A few weeks ago Lincoln and I were on a Target run (I had an extra $100 just laying around – NOT!) and I could smell them before I saw them – crayons. Construction paper. Rubber erasers. Rulers! Ok, maybe not the rulers but seriously, back to school shopping has begin. Although we've got a few more glorious weeks of summer left, the school year is coming, along with busy evenings, early mornings, and all the chaos in between. Take a beat to get Crock Pot Beef Stew simmering in your slow cooker to take the stress out of dinner time, at least!

spoonful of crock pot beef stew and a bowl

Lincoln is starting school this fall (and by "school" I mean a two hour program twice a week that is essentially a play group but STILL!) and I know I'll blink and he'll be off to Kindergarten. With school age children comes karate, cub scouts, swimming, etc, and once evenings get crazy I'll be turning to my crock pot to make dinner for me more and more.

If you're in the same boat and are looking for a hearty, filling, and comforting family-friendly recipe that couldn't get any easier – Crock Pot Beef Stew is for you! Chopped stew meat is slow cooked in beef broth seasoned with pantry staples like dried thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves, and pumped up with tons of vegetables including potatoes, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and peas. A complete meal in one pot that requires no pre-cooking. Just toss everything into the crock pot – which you can even do the night before – then press start!

overhead photo of a bowl of crock pot beef stew

How to Make This Recipe

I know I sound like a broken record but really all you have to do is throw everything into a crock pot – here's the one I have. You'll need 1-1/2lbs stew meat cut into bite-sized pieces, 1 chopped onion, 2 chopped carrots, 2 ribs chopped celery, 8oz chopped mushrooms and 3 cloves minced garlic.

Crock Pot Beef Stew is easy, hearty, and comforting. Toss everything into the crock pot at night then pop into the base and cook the next day! #glutenfree | iowagirleats.com

Rounding the stew out is 3 Tablespoons tomato paste, 1 Tablespoon gluten-free Worcestershire sauce (I like Lea & Perrins,) and spice cupboard staples including salt, pepper, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and a bay leaf. Add 32oz gluten-free beef broth then cook on low for 6-8 hours (just depends on how small you cut your stew meat – mine took 6.) Again, I did all this the night before I made it then popped the crock pot into the base in the morning. So easy.

Crock Pot Beef Stew is easy, hearty, and comforting. Toss everything into the crock pot at night then pop into the base and cook the next day! #glutenfree | iowagirleats.com

Once the meat and vegetables are tender, whisk together 1/4 cup gluten-free or all-purpose flour (dish will not be GF if using all-purpose flour) with a scoop of the cooking liquid then stream it in and give the stew a big stir.

Crock Pot Beef Stew is easy, hearty, and comforting. Toss everything into the crock pot at night then pop into the base and cook the next day! #glutenfree | iowagirleats.com

Cook on high for 30-45 more minutes, or until the stew is slightly thickened, then stir in 1/2 cup frozen peas and let them warm through for about 5 minutes. Serve with a side salad, bread, or crostini for dunking, then dig in!

big bowl of crock pot beef stew

More Crock Pot Recipes You'll Love

  • Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Pork
  • Crock Pot Mojo Pork with Cuban-Style Black Beans
  • Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches
  • Crock Pot Shredded Beef Enchiladas
  • Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

big bowl of crock pot beef stew

Description

Crock Pot Beef Stew is easy, hearty, and comforting. Toss everything into the crock pot at night then pop into the base and cook the next day!

Ingredients

serves 8

  • 1-1/2lbs stew meat, cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1lb white potatoes (about 1 large potato,) peeled then chopped
  • 8oz whole mushrooms, cut into quarters or sixths if large
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 ribs celery, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 Tablespoon gluten-free Worcestershire sauce (I like Lea & Perrins)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 32oz gluten-free beef broth
  • 1/4 cup gluten-free or all-purpose flour (dish will not be GF if using all-purpose flour)
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas

Directions

  1. Add ingredients from stew meat to beef broth into a 6-quart crock pot then cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until meat is tender (mine took 6 but it will depend on how big your stew meat is cut.) I added everything to the crock pot the night before then popped into the crock pot base in the morning and turned it on.
  2. Add flour to a bowl then add a ladleful of cooking liquid and whisk until smooth. Pour back into crock pot then stir well to combine and cook on high for 30-45 more minutes, or until broth has thickened (Note:broth will continue to thicken while cooling.) Add peas then let sit until heated through, 5 minutes, before serving.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

photo collage of crock pot beef stew