Slow Cooker German Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

A hearty German-inspired beef stew slow-cooked with root vegetables and a rich gravy, perfect for rainy days. This German-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 440 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cubed, carrots, peeled and sliced, parsnip, peeled and chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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, cubed
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 medium parsnip, peeled and chopped
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp flour

Slow cookers worth buying for this → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides for 5-7 minutes until caramelized, then transfer to a slow cooker.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and translucent, then add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor.
3. Step 3: Transfer sautéed onion mixture to the slow cooker with the beef. Add 3 sliced carrots, 2 chopped parsnips, 3 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir gently.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are soft.
5. Step 5: About 30 minutes before serving, mix 2 tbsp flour with 1/4 cup cold water until smooth, then stir into the stew to thicken. Cook uncovered on high for 30 minutes until gravy coats the back of a spoon.