Slow Cooker Kentucky-Style Bourbon Beef Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-01 · Updated 2026-07-01

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 recipe, ready in about 440 minutes, pairs beef chuck roast, salt, black pepper 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

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.