Crock Pot Beef Stew

Slow cooker comfort food doesn’t get more classic, nostalgic, or downright satisfying than a bowl of Crock Pot Beef Stew. This hearty, wholesome dish is packed with melt-in-your-mouth tender beef, soft potatoes, sweet carrots, and a savory, velvety sauce that thickens beautifully as it cooks. It’s the kind of recipe that warms up the whole house as it simmers away, coaxing out deep flavors with almost no hands-on work required.

This stew is the definition of a set-it-and-forget-it meal. With just 15 minutes of prep and a full day of slow cooking, you end up with a dinner that tastes like you hovered over the stove for hours. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, stocking up on leftovers for the week, or craving a cozy dinner on a chilly day, this Crock Pot Beef Stew belongs in your regular meal rotation.

In this long-form guide, you’ll find not only the full recipe and step-by-step cooking instructions but also tips, substitutions, variations, meal prep ideas, FAQs, and more. By the time you reach the bottom of the page, you’ll feel fully prepared to make the absolute best slow cooker beef stew every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless comfort food: Just prep, dump, stir, and walk away. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.
• Budget-friendly and filling: With hearty vegetables and economical beef, it’s perfect for feeding the whole family without breaking the bank.
• Perfect for busy days: It cooks low and slow while you’re at work, running errands, or tackling your to-do list.
• Deep, rich flavor: Cream of celery soup, ketchup (or tomato sauce), and onion soup mix create an incredibly flavorful base.
• Versatile and reliable: Easy to customize with pantry staples or seasonal produce.
• Great for leftovers: Tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

Ingredients Breakdown

Below is the full ingredient list exactly as provided, with measurements preserved and grouped for clarity.

Servings: 8

Main Ingredients

• 2 packages (1 ounce, each) dry onion soup mix
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 2 pounds beef stew meat, or a boneless beef roast, cut in 1-inch pieces
• 5 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 to 3 cups baby carrots
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped

Sauce Mixture

• 2 cans (10 ounces, each) cream of celery soup
• 1 cup ketchup (you can substitute tomato sauce if you don’t like ketchup)

That’s it — simple, essential, and pantry-friendly. These ingredients come together to form a deeply savory broth that thickens into a silky stew as everything cooks low and slow.

Tools & Equipment Needed

You don’t need any special equipment, just the essentials:

• 7-quart crock pot (or similar slow cooker)
  A larger model is ideal to accommodate the stew, vegetables, and sauce.
• Large plastic storage bag
  Used to coat the beef evenly with paprika and onion soup mix.
• Cutting board & sharp knife
  For cutting potatoes, onion, and beef (if not pre-cut).
• Mixing bowl
  To combine the cream of celery soup and ketchup before pouring.
• Measuring cups & spoons
  For precise ingredient quantities.
• Wooden spoon or ladle
  For mixing and serving.

Step-by-Step Instructions

(From the recipe exactly — expanded with helpful detail but no changes.)

1. Season the Beef

Place the dry onion soup mix and paprika in a large plastic storage bag. Add the beef stew meat (or the boneless beef roast cut into 1-inch cubes). Seal the bag tightly and shake until every piece of beef is thoroughly coated.
If your bag isn’t large enough, coat the beef in two batches.

2. Add the Beef to the Crock Pot

Once coated, spread the seasoned meat evenly across the bottom of a greased 7-quart crock pot. This ensures even cooking and creates a flavorful base layer for the vegetables to sit on.

3. Layer the Vegetables

Add the diced potatoes, baby carrots, and chopped onion over the beef. Keeping them layered above the meat helps them steam and soften slowly while the flavors meld together.

4. Mix the Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of celery soup and ketchup (or tomato sauce). This creamy mixture becomes the stew’s savory, tangy sauce.
Pour it evenly over the meat and vegetables in the crock pot.

5. Slow Cook All Day

Cover the crock pot with its lid. Cook the stew on low heat for 7 to 8 hours, or until the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
During this time, the sauce thickens and absorbs the beef juices and onion mix seasonings.

6. Stir & Serve

Once everything is cooked, give the stew a good stir to distribute the sauce and ingredients evenly. Serve warm, preferably with a crusty bread or simple side salad.

Tips & Variations

This recipe is already incredibly reliable, but here are ways to adjust it based on your needs or preferences—without altering the core version you’re making today.

Vegetarian Variation

You can create a veggie stew by:

• Replacing beef with mushrooms, chickpeas, or plant-based beef cubes.
• Using vegetarian onion soup mix.
• Swapping cream of celery soup for a vegetarian condensed soup alternative.

Gluten-Free Notes

• Ensure your dry onion soup mix is labeled gluten-free.
• Use a gluten-free condensed soup (some brands offer this).

Dairy-Free Options

• Replace cream of celery soup with a dairy-free condensed soup alternative.
• Ensure the dry onion soup mix is dairy-free.

Spice Adjustments

• Add cayenne pepper for mild heat.
• Add garlic powder or dried thyme for deeper herbal flavor.

Other Substitutions

• Swap potatoes for sweet potatoes for a sweeter, more earthy finish.
• Add celery or peas for extra vegetables.

These ideas maintain the spirit of the recipe while giving you options for dietary needs and personal taste.

Flavor Profile & Pairings

Taste & Texture

This Crock Pot Beef Stew delivers:

• Tender chunks of beef that practically fall apart.
• Soft potatoes and sweet carrots that soak up savory broth.
• A silky, creamy sauce thanks to the cream of celery soup.

The dry onion soup mix infuses each bite with deep onion flavor and savory seasoning, while the ketchup adds mild sweetness and tang.

Best Side Dishes

Even though the stew stands beautifully on its own, it pairs wonderfully with:

• Crusty French bread
• Buttery dinner rolls
• Mashed potatoes (for an ultra-hearty bowl)
• A simple green salad
• Roasted Brussels sprouts

No drink pairings included, per your instructions.

Nutritional Overview (Estimated)

These are general estimates based on standard ingredients.

Per serving:

• Calories: Approximately 420–480
• Protein: 25–30g
• Carbohydrates: 40–55g
• Fat: 15–20g
• Fiber: 3–4g

Dietary notes:

• Contains meat and dairy.
• Can be adapted to gluten-free or dairy-free versions.

Make-Ahead & Meal Prep Tips

This stew is a fantastic make-ahead meal.

Prepare Ahead

• Chop carrots, potatoes, and onions the night before. Store in airtight containers.
• Season beef and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking.
• Mix the sauce mixture ahead of time to streamline morning prep.

Once Cooked

• This stew tastes even better the next day!
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating

• Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat.
• Or microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between rounds.

FAQs

1. Can I cook this stew on high instead of low?

Yes, but slow cooking on low produces the most tender beef. If needed, cook on high for 4 to 5 hours.

2. Can I use a different cut of beef?

Absolutely. Chuck roast, top blade, or any well-marbled stew meat works beautifully.

3. Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes. Allow stew to cool, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

4. Can I add more vegetables?

Certainly. Celery, peas, green beans, or parsnips make great additions without altering the base recipe.

5. Does the ketchup make the stew sweet?

Not overly. It balances the savory ingredients and blends into a mild tangy sauce.

6. Can I thicken the stew more?

If you prefer a thicker stew, let it cook uncovered for the last 20–30 minutes. The sauce will naturally reduce.

Cooking Timeline (At a Glance)

Stage	Time
Prep Ingredients	15 minutes
Slow Cook	7–8 hours on low
Final Stir & Serve	2 minutes
Total Time	About 8 hours 15 minutes

Serving Suggestions

To elevate your bowl of Crock Pot Beef Stew:

• Serve in wide, shallow bowls to showcase the chunky vegetables.
• Garnish with parsley for color.
• Pair with warm bread or rolls for dipping.
• Add a dollop of sour cream for a creamy swirl.

Recipe Variations (Creative Twists)

1. Smoky BBQ Beef Stew

Swap the ketchup for smoky BBQ sauce and add smoked paprika.

2. Rustic Italian Beef Stew

Use tomato sauce, add Italian seasoning, and stir in drained canned tomatoes.

3. Herb Garden Stew

Add rosemary, thyme, and garlic powder for a bright, herbaceous aroma.

4. Sweet & Savory Maple Beef Stew

Use tomato sauce and stir in a tablespoon of pure maple syrup for depth.

Ingredient Spotlight

Beef Stew Meat

• Choose well-marbled pieces for tenderness.
• Chuck roast cut into cubes works beautifully.
• Slow cooking breaks down connective tissue, resulting in buttery-soft beef.

Potatoes

• Yukon gold or russet potatoes both perform well.
• Store potatoes in a cool, dark place.
• Dicing them uniformly ensures even cooking.

Pro Cooking Tips

• Don’t lift the lid while cooking: Every peek adds 20–30 minutes of cook time.
• Cut vegetables evenly: Ensures everything cooks at the same pace.
• Layer correctly: Meat always goes on the bottom so it cooks fully.
• Grease the crock pot: Helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
• Let it rest: A 10-minute rest after cooking helps flavors settle.

Storage & Freezing Guide

Refrigerator Storage

• Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
• Stir before reheating to recombine the sauce.

Freezing

• Cool fully before freezing.
• Freeze up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers.
• Avoid freezing in glass unless it’s freezer-rated.

Thawing & Reheating

• Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until steaming hot.

Nutrition Estimate Table (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	~420–480
Protein	25–30g
Carbs	40–55g
Fat	15–20g
Fiber	3–4g
Notes	Contains meat & dairy, adaptable to gluten- & dairy-free diets

Conclusion

This Crock Pot Beef Stew is everything cozy cooking should be: hearty, simple, flavorful, and unbelievably easy. With just a few everyday ingredients and almost zero hands-on time, you get a warm, comforting meal that’s perfect for weeknights, winter evenings, or feeding a hungry crowd.

Whether you’re new to slow cooker meals or rely on them weekly, this recipe is one you’ll return to again and again. Save it, share it, and make it your go-to comfort dish whenever you need something deeply satisfying with minimal effort.

If you try this Crock Pot Beef Stew, be sure to come back and make it part of your regular rotation — and check out more comforting, down-to-earth recipes whenever you need dinner inspiration.

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