Four-Spice Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Tender beef chunks simmered low and slow with a blend of four warming spices for a deeply flavorful and hearty stew. This american-inspired beef ready in about 445 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, large yellow onion, diced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 3 medium carrots, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides for 5-6 minutes until crusty. Transfer browned beef to a slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground allspice, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground black pepper, and 1.5 tsp salt to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until spices bloom.
- Step 4: Pour 4 cups beef broth into the skillet and stir to combine, scraping up browned bits. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker over the beef.
- Step 5: Add 3 chopped carrots and 2 cubed russet potatoes to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Step 6: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Step 7: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Four-Spice Slow Cooker Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 445 minutes (25 min prep + 420 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Four-Spice Slow Cooker Beef Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large yellow onion, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Four-Spice Slow Cooker Beef Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Four-Spice Slow Cooker Beef Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Four-Spice Slow Cooker Beef Stew?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
