Slow Cooker Beef Stew (Hearty, Comforting & Family-Friendly)

Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 8 hours | Total: 8 hours 15 minutes | Serves: 4–6
Best For: cold nights, family dinners, set-and-forget meals

A Classic Comfort Meal That Feels Like Home

There’s something deeply comforting about a slow cooker beef stew simmering away through the day. The long, gentle cooking turns affordable cuts of beef into tender, flavour-packed bites, all wrapped up in a rich, warming sauce.

This is the kind of meal that brings everyone together at the end of the day — bowls on the table, steam rising, and hearts full. Simple food, made with care, that nourishes both body and soul.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Beef Stew

• 1 kg beef chuck or gravy beef, cut into chunks

• 2 tablespoons oil

• 1 onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 carrots, sliced

• 3 potatoes, chopped

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 2 cups beef stock

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional:

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• Frozen peas, added at the end

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a pan and brown the beef on all sides.

2. Transfer the beef to the slow cooker.

3. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and potatoes to the slow cooker.

4. Stir in tomato paste, stock, herbs, salt, and pepper.

5. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours.

6. Stir through peas in the last 15 minutes if using, then serve hot.

Helpful Tips

• Browning the beef adds extra depth of flavour

• A quick cheat is to use frozen diced vegetables if you’re short on time

• Cut vegetables into similar sizes for even cooking

• Taste and season again before serving

Why This Recipe Works

• Slow cooking makes tough cuts tender

• Uses affordable, everyday ingredients

• Minimal hands-on time

• Perfect for batch cooking and leftovers

Explore More Family-Friendly Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also love:

• Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

• Creamy Chicken & Rice

• Chicken Noodle Soup