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Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe with Root Vegetables Easy and Cozy

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A cozy and easy slow cooker beef stew featuring tender beef chuck and a medley of root vegetables simmered to perfection. Perfect for chilly nights and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped into chunks
  • 3 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped
  • 1 medium rutabaga, peeled and diced
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups beef broth, preferably low sodium
  • 1 cup dry red wine (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Pat beef cubes dry with paper towels. Toss beef with flour, salt, and pepper to coat.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef cubes in batches until browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Transfer beef to slow cooker.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavor.
  5. Pour in red wine and scrape browned bits from skillet bottom. Let wine reduce by half, about 3-5 minutes.
  6. Pour wine and onion mixture over beef in slow cooker. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and thyme. Stir gently to combine.
  7. Add carrots, parsnips, and rutabaga to slow cooker. Stir gently to distribute evenly.
  8. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft but not mushy.
  9. About 30 minutes before serving, remove bay leaves and adjust salt and pepper. For thicker stew, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into slow cooker; cook uncovered on high for 20 minutes.
  10. Ladle stew into bowls, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.

Notes

Searing the beef before slow cooking locks in juices and enhances flavor. Use fresh root vegetables cut into uniform pieces for even cooking. Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid frequently to maintain heat. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or almond flour and verify Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, root vegetables, easy beef stew, cozy dinner, comfort food, slow cooker recipe

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/slow-cooker-beef-stew-recipe-with-root-vegetables-easy-and-cozy/