Slow-Cooked Garlic Herb Beef Stew

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

A deeply flavorful stew with fall-apart beef and seasonal root vegetables, simmered low and slow for rich, comforting warmth. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs stew beef, all-purpose flour, extra-virgin olive oil 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels, then season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tbsp olive oil until shimmering, then brown the beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply seared, transferring to a slow cooker as done.
  2. Step 2: Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, then cook the diced onion for 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic, stirring constantly for 1 minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
  4. Step 4: Pour in the beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf, scraping the skillet bottom to release browned bits, then stir into the slow cooker with the browned beef.
  5. Step 5: Add the sliced carrots and cubed potatoes, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours until beef is fork-tender.
  6. Step 6: Stir in the frozen peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking until heated through.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Garlic Herb Beef Stew take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Slow-Cooked Garlic Herb 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 stew beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Garlic Herb 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 Slow-Cooked Garlic Herb 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 Slow-Cooked Garlic Herb Beef 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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