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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
