Beef and Vegetable Slow Cooker Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-22 · Updated 2026-04-22

A comforting, hearty stew simmered to tender perfection with root vegetables and aromatic herbs. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs beef chuck, medium potatoes, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs beef chuck
• 2 medium potatoes
• 2 carrots
• 1 onion
• 2 stalks celery
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes dry with paper towels, then season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil and sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and celery, and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Transfer the seared beef, onion, celery, and garlic to a slow cooker. Add the peeled and cubed potatoes, sliced carrots, 4 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the beef is tender and vegetables are fully cooked.