Description
Hearty pioneer woman’s crockpot beef stew delivers comfort with robust flavors from tender meat and rich vegetables. Slow-cooked goodness brings warmth to your table, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this classic American comfort dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds (900 grams) beef stew meat (chuck roast cut into cubes)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Vegetables:
- 4 carrots (cut into chunks)
- 3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet, diced into 1-inch cubes)
- 2 celery stalks (chopped)
- 1 onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup frozen peas
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Crusty bread or biscuits (for dipping)
Instructions
- Dust beef cubes with seasoned flour, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with a delicate layer of seasoning that will help create a rich, golden exterior when seared.
- Heat a skillet with olive oil until shimmering, then carefully place beef pieces in small batches, allowing each side to develop a deep caramel-brown crust that locks in robust flavors.
- Transfer beautifully browned meat cubes to the crockpot, creating a hearty foundation for the upcoming slow-cooked feast.
- Layer crisp carrots, tender potatoes, aromatic celery, sweet onions, and fragrant garlic atop the meat, creating a colorful vegetable landscape.
- Pour in robust beef broth, optional red wine, concentrated tomato paste, umami-rich Worcestershire sauce, and sprinkle earthy thyme, woodsy rosemary, smoky paprika, and a single bay leaf to infuse complex depth.
- Secure the crockpot lid and allow the stew to simmer gently on low temperature for 7-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, transforming raw ingredients into a melting, tender masterpiece.
- Approximately 30 minutes before serving, introduce bright green peas to the bubbling mixture, adding a fresh burst of color and sweetness.
- For a more luxurious, velvety texture, whisk cornstarch with water and fold into the stew, allowing it to thicken during the final cooking moments.
- Discard the bay leaf and ladle this comforting stew into warm bowls, ready to be savored.
Notes
- Ensure beef cubes are uniformly cut to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stew.
- Pat beef dry before flouring to help achieve a perfect golden-brown sear that locks in rich flavor and creates delicious caramelization.
- For gluten-free adaptation, swap wheat flour with cornstarch or alternative gluten-free flour blend when coating beef cubes.
- Enhance depth of flavor by deglazing the skillet with a splash of broth after browning beef, scraping up delicious browned bits to incorporate into the stew.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg