Williams Slow Cooker Beef Stew
A comforting stew featuring tender beef and seasonal root vegetables, slow-cooked to develop deep, savory flavors. This beef-inspired slow cooker ready in about 470 minutes pairs Beef chuck, Olive oil, medium Onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion
- 2 medium Carrots
- 2 medium Parsnips
- 1 medium Turnip
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 2 cups Beef broth
- 1 cup Red wine
- 1 Bay leaf
- 2 tsp Thyme
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs cubed beef chuck and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, stirring for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Transfer the beef and onion mixture to a slow cooker. Add 2 cups beef broth, 1 cup red wine, 1 bay leaf, 2 tsp thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Add 2 sliced carrots, 2 sliced parsnips, and 1 sliced turnip to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
- Step 5: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Williams Slow Cooker Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 470 minutes (20 min prep + 450 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 Williams Slow Cooker 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 beef chuck from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Williams Slow Cooker 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 Williams Slow Cooker 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 Williams Slow Cooker Beef Stew?
Beef slow cooker 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 450-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.