Herbed Slow-Cooker Beef and Root Vegetable Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A deeply flavorful, tender beef stew simmered with seasonal root vegetables and aromatic herbs in your slow cooker for effortless weeknight comfort. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 380 minutes pairs stew beef, all-purpose flour, salt 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.

★ 4.2 (11 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs stew beef dry, then season evenly with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, tossing to coat completely.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; sear the seasoned beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 large diced onion, 2 sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks to the skillet; cook for 5 minutes until softened, then add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour the onion-carrot-celery mixture over the beef in the slow cooker, then add 4 cups beef broth, 1 can diced tomatoes, 2 cubed potatoes, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 bay leaf; stir gently to combine.
  5. Step 5: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are tender.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 1 cup frozen peas and cook uncovered for 15 minutes until peas are heated through and vibrant green.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Herbed Slow-Cooker Beef and Root Vegetable Stew take to make?

Total time is about 380 minutes (20 min prep + 360 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 Herbed Slow-Cooker Beef and Root Vegetable 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 stew beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Herbed Slow-Cooker Beef and Root Vegetable 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 Herbed Slow-Cooker Beef and Root Vegetable 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 Herbed Slow-Cooker Beef and Root Vegetable Stew?

American slow cooker 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.

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