Winter Spice Slow Cooker Beef Stew
A hearty slow-cooked beef stew infused with warming winter spices, tender vegetables, and a rich broth that comforts on cold days. This general-inspired beef ready in about 440 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, medium carrots, peeled and sliced, celery stalks, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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 beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, browning them on all sides for about 5 minutes, then transfer to the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large diced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened, then transfer to the slow cooker.
- Step 3: Add 4 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground allspice, and 2 bay leaves to the slow cooker. Stir everything to combine.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through. Remove bay leaves and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Winter Spice Slow Cooker 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 Winter Spice 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 celery stalks, sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Winter Spice 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 Winter Spice 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 Winter Spice Slow Cooker Beef Stew?
General 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.
