Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe

Introduction

This Crock Pot Beef Stew is a comforting and hearty meal that’s perfect for busy days. Slow-cooked with tender beef, potatoes, carrots, and a savory onion soup seasoning, it’s an easy dish that fills your home with inviting aromas.

Ingredients

• 2 packages (1 ounce each) dry onion soup mix
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 2 pounds beef stew meat or boneless beef roast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 5 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 to 3 cups baby carrots
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cans (10 ounces each) cream of celery soup
• 1 cup ketchup (can substitute tomato sauce if preferred)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large plastic bag, combine the dry onion soup mix and paprika. Add the beef pieces and shake the bag to coat the meat evenly with the seasonings. You may need to do this in two batches depending on the size of your bag.
2. Step 2: Spread the seasoned meat evenly in a greased 7-quart crock pot. Layer the diced potatoes, baby carrots, and chopped onion on top of the meat.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, stir together the cream of celery soup and ketchup until well combined. Pour this mixture over the meat and vegetables in the crock pot.
4. Step 4: Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours, or until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Stir gently before serving to combine all the flavors.

Tips & Variations

• For a thicker stew, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water about 30 minutes before cooking ends.
• Swap the baby carrots for chunks of parsnip or turnip for a different root vegetable flavor.
• If you prefer a spicier stew, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce when mixing the soup and ketchup.
• Use tomato sauce instead of ketchup if you want a less sweet and more traditional flavor.

Storage

Store any leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove or in the microwave until heated through. The stew can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other cuts of beef for this stew?

Yes, tougher cuts like chuck roast or brisket work well because they become tender during the slow cooking process.

Is it possible to make this stew in an instant pot?

Absolutely! Brown the meat using the sauté function, then add all ingredients and cook on high pressure for about 35 minutes, followed by a natural release.

Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe

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This hearty Crock Pot Beef Stew is a comforting and easy-to-make meal perfect for busy days. Tender beef chunks are slow-cooked with potatoes, carrots, onion, and a flavorful blend of onion soup mix, paprika, cream of celery soup, and ketchup, resulting in a rich and savory stew that warms you from the inside out.

• Author: Mila
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Stew
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Seasoning

• 2 packages (1 ounce each) dry onion soup mix
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Beef and Vegetables

• 2 pounds beef stew meat or a boneless beef roast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 5 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 to 3 cups baby carrots
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped

Soup and Sauce

• 2 cans (10 ounces each) cream of celery soup
• 1 cup ketchup (can substitute with tomato sauce if preferred)

Instructions

1. Season the beef: In a large plastic bag, combine the dry onion soup mix and paprika. Add the beef pieces and shake the bag to thoroughly coat the meat with the seasonings. You may need to do this in two batches if all the meat doesn’t fit at once.
2. Layer the crock pot: Evenly spread the seasoned beef into a greased 7-quart crock pot. Top the meat with the diced potatoes, baby carrots, and chopped onion.
3. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the cream of celery soup and ketchup until well combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the meat and vegetables in the crock pot.
4. Slow cook the stew: Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours. The stew is ready when the beef is tender and cooked through, and the vegetables are soft but not mushy.
5. Serve: Stir the stew gently to combine all ingredients before serving. Enjoy this warm, satisfying beef stew as a perfect meal on a chilly day.

Notes

• You can substitute ketchup with tomato sauce for a less sweet taste.
• To speed up prep, use pre-cut stew meat and pre-chopped vegetables.
• If you prefer a thicker stew, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• For extra flavor, brown the beef in a skillet before seasoning and adding to the crock pot, though this step is optional.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Keywords: crock pot beef stew, slow cooker beef stew, easy beef stew recipe, hearty beef stew, comforting stew