Slow Cooker Kentucky-Style Bourbon Beef Stew
Hearty slow-cooked beef stew enriched with a splash of bourbon, root vegetables, and fresh herbs for a comforting taste of Kentucky. This american-inspired beef ready in about 440 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 2 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 3 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces carrots
- 2, chopped celery stalks
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/3 cup bourbon whiskey
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 medium, peeled and cubed potatoes
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 2 lbs beef chuck cubes evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss the beef in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour until coated. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the beef cubes in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 chopped carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened, then add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Transfer vegetables and garlic to slow cooker.
- Step 3: Add 4 cups beef broth, 1/3 cup bourbon whiskey, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 2 bay leaves, and 2 cubed medium potatoes to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and the stew has thickened slightly. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Kentucky-Style Bourbon Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 440 minutes (20 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 Kentucky-Style Bourbon 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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Kentucky-Style Bourbon 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 Cooker Kentucky-Style Bourbon 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 Cooker Kentucky-Style Bourbon Beef Stew?
American 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.
