Okay, so, you know how sometimes you just *crave* that feeling of cozy comfort? Like, a big, warm hug in a bowl? Well, that’s exactly what this Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup is all about! And the best part? It’s ridiculously easy, which is a total lifesaver for those crazy busy weeknights. Seriously, you toss everything in the slow cooker, and *poof*—dinner’s done!
I’ve been making this recipe for years. It’s perfect on a chilly evening. And trust me, the aroma that fills your kitchen while it’s simmering? Heavenly! This Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup is flavorful, hearty, and just what you need to warm you from the inside out. My family always loves it, and even the picky eaters gobble it up. Get ready to enjoy a delicious, stress-free meal.
Why You’ll Love This *Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup*
Okay, friends, let me tell you why I’m practically obsessed with this recipe! First off, it’s a total breeze to make. Seriously, hardly any effort is involved. Next, the flavor? Absolutely amazing! It’s rich, savory, and just bursting with deliciousness. Plus, this Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup is so hearty, it’ll fill you right up. And the best part? The slow cooker does all the work! You just set it and forget it. What’s not to love?
Ingredients You’ll Need for *Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup*
Alright folks, let’s get down to the good stuff! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this incredible Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup. Don’t worry, it’s a pretty straightforward list, and I bet you already have most of this in your pantry!
- 1.5 lbs of beef stew meat – get the good stuff!
- 1 tbsp olive oil – for that perfect sear.
- 1 onion, chopped – because onions make everything better!
- 2 carrots, chopped – add color and sweetness.
- 2 celery stalks, chopped – don’t skip the celery, it adds a lovely bite!
- 4 cloves garlic, minced – hello, amazing aroma!
- 4 cups beef broth – the base of all that deliciousness.
- 1 tsp dried thyme – for a hint of earthiness.
- 1 tsp dried rosemary – the perfect partner to thyme.
- 1/2 tsp salt – season to your preference, of course!
- 1/4 tsp black pepper – a little kick never hurt anybody.
- 1 lb potatoes, peeled and cubed – every stew needs some potatoes!
See? Nothing too crazy, right? Now let’s get cooking!
How to Make Delicious *Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup*: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, friends, this is where the magic happens! Don’t worry, it’s super simple. You got this, I promise! Just follow along step by step, and before you know it, you’ll have an amazing Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup simmering away!
Preparing the Beef for Your *Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup*
First up, let’s talk about the beef. You’ll want to heat up that olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Now, carefully brown your beef stew meat. This part is super important, because searing the meat gives it that amazing, deep, rich flavor. Don’t crowd the pan, brown it in batches if you need to! Just sear it until nicely browned on all sides, then remove it from the skillet and set it aside. Yum!
Building the Flavors: Adding Vegetables and Broth
Now, pour all that beautiful browned beef into your slow cooker. Next, add in your chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Then, it’s time to pour in the beef broth. Make sure you scrape up all those yummy bits from the bottom of the skillet – that’s where the flavor is! Toss in the thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to get it all mixed up.
The Final Touch: Cooking the *Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup*
Pop the lid on your slow cooker and set it to low. You’re going to let this cook for 6 whole hours. This gives the beef enough time to get super tender and the flavors to really meld together. Now, here’s a little secret: about 2 hours before it’s done, you’re going to add in those lovely, peeled and cubed potatoes. Giving them less time in the slow cooker helps from turning into mush. That’s it! Let it cook until those potatoes are fork-tender, and you’re ready to eat! Now, be careful, it’s gonna be hot!
Tips for Success: Perfecting Your *Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup*
Alright, so you want to make the absolute BEST Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup, right? Trust me, I get it! Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years that will help you totally nail it.
First off, the browning of the meat is KEY! Don’t rush this step, because it seriously amps up the flavor. Also, make sure you choose a good cut of beef. Beef chuck is a classic choice, but you can also use stew meat. Make sure you adjust those seasonings to your taste. Taste as you go, and don’t be afraid to add a little extra salt or pepper! The most common pitfall is overcooking the potatoes, so keep an eye on them in the last couple of hours.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for *Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup*
Okay, let’s chat about the ingredients and how we can make this Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup work for *you*! First up, the beef: You can totally use regular beef stew meat, which is what I usually grab. But, if you’re feeling fancy, beef chuck is amazing! It gets super tender in the slow cooker. Don’t be afraid to try different cuts, too!
Now, about those veggies: I love the classic combo of carrots, celery, and onion, but if you’re not a fan of one, feel free to swap it! Parsnips, rutabaga, or even sweet potatoes would be tasty additions. As for the broth, beef broth is my go-to, but if you’re short, you can totally use vegetable broth. Just make sure it’s flavorful! You can even add a splash of red wine for extra depth of flavor, yum!
Serving Suggestions to Complement Your *Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup*
Okay, so your amazing Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup is ready, and now you want some sides? You got it! Honestly, the best part? It goes with just about anything! A big ol’ hunk of crusty bread is always a winner for soaking up all that delicious broth.
You can never go wrong with a simple salad, either. Or, if you’re feeling extra cozy, some creamy mashed potatoes? YES, please! Honestly, the possibilities are endless. Serve it up with whatever you are craving. Enjoy!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for *Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup*
Okay, so you’ve got leftovers? Awesome! This **Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup** is even better the next day! Just let it cool down completely (important!), then pop it into an airtight container. It’ll be good in the fridge for about 3-4 days. You can also freeze it! Just make sure it’s in a freezer-safe container. It should last about 2-3 months in the freezer.
To reheat, I like to gently warm it up on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave. Just add a splash of water or more broth while reheating to keep it nice and moist. You don’t want to dry out all that deliciousness!
Estimated Nutritional Information for *Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup*
Heads up, folks! The nutritional info below is just an estimate, okay? It totally depends on the brands and ingredients you use. So, you know, your figures might be a *little* different. But hey, it’ll give you a general idea!
Frequently Asked Questions About *Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup*
Got questions about this Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup? No worries, I’ve got you covered! Here are some of the most common questions I get asked, so you can make this recipe like a pro!
Can I use frozen vegetables?
You betcha! Frozen veggies can be a total lifesaver, especially when you’re in a pinch. Just toss them right into the slow cooker along with the other ingredients. However, keep in mind frozen veggies might release a bit more liquid, so you might want to adjust the amount of broth ever so slightly – you can always add more at the end if needed. No biggie!
How can I make this in a pressure cooker?
If you have a pressure cooker, you can totally do this recipe! You’ll need to adjust your cooking times. After browning the beef, add all the ingredients to your pressure cooker. Cook on high pressure for about 20-25 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes, and then you can quick release any remaining pressure. Your delicious Slow Cooker Beef Stew Soup is ready sooner. Just be careful with that steam!
How can I thicken the stew?
Sometimes, you want a thicker stew, right? No problem! There are a couple of ways you can do it. You can mix a couple tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water to make a slurry and stir that in during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Or, you can take some of the potatoes out of the stew, mash them, and stir them back in – instant thickness! Enjoy!
What if I don’t have a slow cooker?
No slow cooker? No sweat! You can easily adapt this recipe to cook on the stovetop. Just brown the beef and add it to your pot. Add your veggies, broth, and seasonings, and let it simmer for about 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender. You may need to add more broth during cooking if it looks like the stew is drying out. Deliciousness awaits!
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Slow Cooker Beef Stew
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
A hearty beef stew made in a slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs beef stew meat
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb potatoes, peeled and cubed
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet. Brown the beef.
- Place beef in the slow cooker.
- Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Pour in beef broth. Add thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on low for 6 hours.
- Add potatoes during the last 2 hours of cooking.
Notes
- Serve hot.
- Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: beef stew, slow cooker, soup, stew recipe, easy dinner