Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew

This Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew has deep, savory flavors and is one of those reminders of why Slow Cooker Recipes are such a lifesaver when life gets busy. It’s cozy without any fuss, and perfect for those cooler evenings when you want something warm waiting for you.

My slow cooker beef stew is something I love starting early in the day, usually before I’ve even finished my first cup of coffee because it means I don’t have to think about dinner later. Once it’s going, you can move through your day knowing it’s quietly doing its thing, and when you walk back into the kitchen hours later, dinner’s already waiting without any scrambling or last‑minute decisions.

Crock Pot Beef Stew is one of my favorite cold weather comfort foods and having it slow cooked all day makes it so easy to have this ready for busy families.  Now, I have to admit a few things about this recipe: it’s not from scratch.  Believe me when I tell you it’s not from lack of trying!  I have tried numerous recipes, and my family simply tells me it’s not right. Something is missing. 

I will agree that with some of the tries, something wasn’t right, but there were a few that I was like: this is GOOD.  They did not agree.  What’s a girl to do? Stick with what they like (and keep trying) – they tell me the best beef stew I make is using the seasoning packet from McCormick.  It is good, I will admit that, but I want to create a homemade seasoning mix for stews. I’m not giving up.

Since the stew is hearty on its own, I generally will not make a side dish, but I do serve this with my Homemade Rosemary Bread or a crusty loaf of French bread. Sometimes, a simple tossed salad with this Homemade Red Wine Vinaigrette with Dijon Mustard.

Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew

This beef stew starts with a simple step that makes a big difference: lightly coating the beef in flour and giving it a quick browning before it goes into the slow cooker. From there, add hearty vegetables and fresh rosemary, and the McCormick Beef Stew Seasoning Mix helps create the rich, savory gravy.

I use the original McCormick Beef Stew Seasoning Mix, not the version labeled specifically for slow cookers. I’ve found the original packet gives the gravy a smoother texture and a stronger overall flavor. It’s mixed with water before being poured over the meat and vegetables, then everything cooks together until the meat is tender.

Browning the beef only adds a few minutes at the start, but it gives the stew deeper flavor and helps the gravy thicken as it cooks. It’s a small step that makes the whole pot taste even better.

Timesaving Tips and Variations

There isn’t much hands-on work once the ingredients are in the crock pot. A little preparation ahead of time can make getting it started even faster. You can also make a few simple changes depending on what you have available.

• Cut the potatoes the night before, and store in an airtight container with water in the fridge so they don’t brown overnight.  Drain before using.
• Chop the celery the night before and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Use baby carrots to eliminate peeling and chopping whole carrots.
• Chopped fresh onion can be used instead of the pearl onions.
• Potatoes and carrots should be cut large enough to hold their shape during the long cooking time.
• Trim and cut the stew meat ahead of time so it is ready to coat and brown.
• Brown the beef in batches so the pieces have enough room to develop color instead of steaming.
• Use the original McCormick Beef Stew Seasoning Mix rather than the packet labeled for slow cookers when making this version.
• Prefer to make the seasoning yourself? My Homemade Beef Stew Seasoning is one I finally got right, and my family approves of it, too. Follow the directions in that recipe since the homemade blend already contains flour.
• If the gravy is thinner than you prefer at the end of cooking, use a cornstarch slurry to thicken it.

The vegetables can also be adjusted to suit your family, but keep the pieces similar in size so they cook evenly. Once everything is in the slow cooker, there is very little left to do until dinner.

More Easy Dinner Recipes to Try

When cooler weather rolls around, warm and filling dinners tend to sound especially good. These are a few more easy meals that work well when you want something hearty for family dinner.

• Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops
• Old Fashioned Skillet Goulash
• Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
• Oven Baked Smothered Cube Steak
• Classic Swedish Meatballs Recipe

Adding these crowd-pleasing dishes to your weeknight lineup keeps dinner time stress-free and full of flavor. They’re the comfort foods you need for those chilly night cravings!

Frequently Asked Questions

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Recommended Kitchen Tools

There is no special equipment and other items needed beyond the slow cooker and a skillet. Preparing everything before you start browning the beef helps the process move along quickly. Here are a few of my favorites:

New B’eautiful 6 Qt Programmable Slow Cooker, Digital Timer, Removable Pot, Easy-Clean Design, Family-Size Slow Cooker for Convenient Everyday Cooking by D’rew Barry’more (White Icing)Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular Size, Fits 3-8 Quarts, 20ctM MCIRCO 6 Pcs Glass Measuring Cups with Lids Set, 1 Cup, 2 Cup, 4 CupHAKSEN 2 PCS Wooden Cooking Spoons, Natural Acacia Wood Kitchen UtensilHamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker with 6 Quart Stovetop-Safe Sear & Cook Crock & Travel Lid Lock for Portable Transport, Silver (33663)32 oz Porcelain Pasta Bowls Set of 4, 8.5Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set, 8, 10.25 and 12 InchesVovoly Cooking Spoons, Nonstick Silicone Spatula Spoon, 2 pcs, Black, 12.6GORILLA GRIP Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs for Cooking, 2 PK, BlackMcCormick Classic Beef Stew Seasoning Mix Packet, 1.5 oz

Ingredients to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This recipe uses familiar ingredients along with my favorite beef stew seasoning packet to create its rich gravy.

• Beef Stew Meat and Flour – The beef is the main protein, while the flour helps with browning and gives the gravy more body.
• Canola or Vegetable Oil – Used for browning the beef.
• McCormick Beef Stew Seasoning Mix and Water – Create the seasoned gravy that cooks with the meat and vegetables.
• Potatoes, Carrots, Celery, and Onion – Classic stew vegetables that make the meal hearty and filling.
• Garlic and Fresh Rosemary – Add extra savory flavor and freshness.

How to Make This Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew

Prepare the vegetables and rosemary according to the recipe card directions. Coat the beef with flour, then brown it in batches in a skillet, adding the garlic during the last minute of browning.

Transfer the beef to the slow cooker and add the vegetables. Mix the McCormick Beef Stew Seasoning with water and pour it over everything, then top with the rosemary and stir to combine.

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.

For an easy dessert to finish the meal, serve these Air Fryer Chocolate Glazed Apple Hand Pies. The warm apple filling adds another cozy fall flavor, and the chocolate glaze makes them feel a little special.

Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew

Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew is made with tender beef, hearty vegetables, rosemary, and a rich savory gravy. This comforting slow cooker beef stew is an easy dinner for busy days and cooler evenings.

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: beef stew

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours hours

Total Time: 6 hours hours 25 minutes minutes

Author: Lisa Kerhin

Equipment

• Hamilton Beach 6 Qt. Slow Cooker
• glass measuring cup
• wooden spoon
• Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
• tongs
• large ziplock bag

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stew cubes (cut larger pieces into 1 ­inch cubes, trim all visible fat)
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
• 1 packet McCormick® Beef Stew Seasoning Mix (the original mix – not the slow cooker one)
• 3 cups water
• ½ bag baby carrots (larger ones cut in half)
• 1 cup frozen pearl onions (or use 1 cup of chopped onions)
• 4 medium potatoes (cut into 1 ½ inch cubes)
• 2 stalks of celery (sliced into 1 inch pieces)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Instructions

• Prepare the vegetables and rosemary according to the ingredient amounts in the recipe card. Cut the potatoes into larger chunks, chop the celery and prepare the carrots as needed.
• Add the flour and beef stew meat to a large resealable bag. Seal the bag and shake until the beef is evenly coated.
• Heat half of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown half of the beef on all sides, then transfer it to the slow cooker. Add the remaining oil and repeat with the rest of the beef. During the final minute of browning, add the garlic and stir frequently so it cooks without burning.
• Add the potatoes, carrots, celery, and pearl onions to the slow cooker with the beef. In a measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the McCormick Beef Stew Seasoning Mix and water until combined, then pour it over the beef and vegetables. Top with the fresh rosemary and stir gently to combine.
• Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. If the gravy is thinner than you prefer, mix ¼ cup water with 2 tablespoons cornstarch and stir it into the stew during the final 20 minutes of cooking.

Nutritional Disclaimer

“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Tried this recipe?I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this one! I hope you try it, enjoy it, comment and rate it, and share it with your friends and family!

Fall Flavors Week

This recipe is a total Fall meal to me, and so are these others from my blogger friends. Thank you to Jolene from Jolene’s Recipe Journal for organizing and hosting this annual event!

• Pear Fritter Loaf Cake by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Apple Squares by Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
• Pumpkin Chili with Roasted Poblano Peppers, Black Beans and Corn by A Little Fish in the Kitchen
• Yogurt Dill Dip by Art of Natural Living
• Apple Crumble Muffins by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Deviled Eggs with Basil Pumpkin Seed Pesto by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Sweet Potato Waffles with Cranberry Topping. by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Rosemary Caramel Apple Coffee Cake by The Spiffy Cookie
• Lentil Sweet Potato Salad by Magical Ingredients

Enjoy!