Slow-Cooker Herb Beef & Mushroom Stew
A deeply flavorful stew simmered slowly in a crockpot, featuring tender beef, earthy mushrooms, and aromatic herbs for a satisfying Whole30 dinner. This french-inspired whole30 (gluten-free) ready in about 435 minutes pairs cubed lean beef stew meat, sliced cremini mushrooms, medium, sliced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1.25 lbs, cubed lean beef stew meat
- 8 oz, sliced cremini mushrooms
- 3 medium, sliced carrots
- 2, sliced celery ribs
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 3 cups beef bone broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the beef cubes dry and season with 1 tsp sea salt. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
- Step 2: Sear the beef in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until browned; transfer to a slow cooker.
- Step 3: Add the sliced mushrooms, carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes until mushrooms release liquid and soften.
- Step 4: Stir the tomato paste into the mushroom mixture, cooking for 1 minute until it darkens slightly, then add to the slow cooker.
- Step 5: Pour in the beef bone broth, add dried thyme, and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours until the beef is fork-tender and the flavors are deepened.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooker Herb Beef & Mushroom Stew take to make?
Total time is about 435 minutes (15 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 Slow-Cooker Herb Beef & Mushroom 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 cubed lean beef stew meat from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooker Herb Beef & Mushroom 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-Cooker Herb Beef & Mushroom Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is Slow-Cooker Herb Beef & Mushroom Stew gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
