Slow Cooker General-Style Beef Stew with Five-Spice

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

Hearty beef stew slow-cooked with aromatic Chinese five-spice and a rich sauce inspired by General Tso’s flavors, delivering tender meat and deep umami. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 505 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, cornstarch, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 4.3 (15 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Chinese cuisine 420 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes beef chuck roast
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tbsp vegetable oil
4 cloves, minced garlic
2 tbsp, minced ginger
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 cup chicken broth
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1/2 tsp dried red chili flakes
3 stalks, sliced for garnish scallions
2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water)

Equipment for this recipe

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Instructions

Step 1: Toss 2 lbs beef chuck roast cut into 1.5-inch cubes with 1/4 cup cornstarch until fully coated.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot, then brown the beef cubes in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until a rich crust forms; transfer browned beef to the slow cooker.
Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp minced ginger over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Add 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1 cup chicken broth, 3 tbsp hoisin sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1/2 tsp dried red chili flakes; stir and bring to a simmer.
Step 5: Pour the sauce mixture over the beef in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours until beef is tender.
Step 6: About 20 minutes before serving, whisk together 2 tbsp cornstarch and 2 tbsp water, then stir this slurry into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce; cook uncovered on high for 20 minutes.
Step 7: Garnish with 3 sliced scallions and serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker General-Style Beef Stew with Five-Spice take to make?

Total time is about 505 minutes (25 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 Cooker General-Style Beef Stew with Five-Spice?

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 beef chuck roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker General-Style Beef Stew with Five-Spice?

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 Cooker General-Style Beef Stew with Five-Spice 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 Cooker General-Style Beef Stew with Five-Spice?

Chinese 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.