Hearty 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Simple, cozy, and packed with rich, savory flavor, this easy slow cooker beef stew is the ultimate comfort food. With just a handful of wholesome ingredients, you can create a warm and satisfying meal that tastes like it simmered all day—because it did! Tender chunks of beef, hearty vegetables, and a flavorful broth come together effortlessly in the slow cooker for a dinner the whole family will love.
Perfect for busy weekdays, chilly evenings, or whenever you’re craving a classic home-cooked meal.
Ingredients
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
4 carrots, sliced into thick rounds
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cups beef broth
Optional Seasonings
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons cornstarch (for thickening, if desired)
Instructions
Place the diced potatoes, sliced carrots, and chopped onion in the bottom of your slow cooker.
Add the beef stew meat on top of the vegetables.
Pour the beef broth over everything, ensuring the ingredients are mostly covered.
Season with garlic powder, thyme, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, if using.
Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft.
For a Thicker Stew (Optional)
In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth.
Stir into the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Cover and continue cooking until the broth thickens.
Serving Suggestions
Serve hot with:
Crusty bread or warm dinner rolls
A fresh green salad
Buttery biscuits for dipping
This hearty beef stew is pure comfort in a bowl—simple ingredients, rich flavor, and the kind of meal that brings everyone back to the table for seconds.
