Crockpot beef stew 

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Crockpot beef stew 

There’s nothing quite like coming home to the rich aroma of a hearty Crockpot beef stew simmering away in the crockpot. This Crockpot Beef Stew is the epitome of comfort food, delivering tender beef, perfectly cooked vegetables, and a savory broth that warms you from the inside out.

Ideal for busy weeknights, cold winter days, or whenever you’re in the mood for a satisfying meal, this slow-cooked stew is a crowd-pleaser that requires minimal effort but yields maximum flavor.

The Magic of Crockpot beef stew 

What makes this beef stew so special is the slow cooking process. By letting the ingredients simmer together for hours, the flavors meld and develop into something truly extraordinary. The beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, absorbing the savory broth that’s been infused with the essence of aromatic herbs and spices.

The vegetables—potatoes, carrots, and celery—retain their shape and texture while becoming soft enough to complement the beef without turning mushy. Each spoonful is a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

A Symphony of Flavors

The beauty of Crockpot Beef Stew lies in its simplicity. The ingredients are basic, yet when combined and slow-cooked, they create a rich, robust flavor that’s hard to beat.

The stew begins with a base of seared beef, which adds a layer of caramelized flavor that permeates the entire dish. The beef is then joined by hearty vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and celery, each contributing their own subtle sweetness and earthiness to the stew.

The broth, made from a combination of beef stock, garlic, onions, and Worcestershire sauce, is where the magic happens. As it slowly simmers, the broth thickens into a rich gravy that coats the beef and vegetables, delivering deep, savory notes in every bite. Fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves add an aromatic finish, elevating the stew from simple comfort food to a meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.

• 1 1/2 lbs of Sirloin Steak
• 2 Tablespoons of Butter
• 1/2 cup of Olive oil (more if needed)
• 4 large white potatoes – cut in bite size pieces 
• 5 carrots – sliced in pieces 
• 2 medium (or 1 x-large) sweet onion – cut in pieces 
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 2 1/2 cups boiling water 
• 1 can of tomato paste – 6 ounces 
• 1 heaping Tbsp of Balsamic vinegar 
• 4 Tablespoons of Brown sugar – divided see recipe 
• Garlic salt 
• Garlic powder 
• Seasoned salt 
• Black pepper 

1. Open the Sirloin steak, and lightly sprinkle with garlic salt, garlic powder, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Place the steak in a Ziploc bag, and zip it tightly. Using your fist lightly pound the steak on both sides.  Place the bag in a bowl and refrigerate overnight. 
2. The next day, turn the crockpot on high, and remove steak from refrigerator, and cut steak into bite size pieces. In a heavy skillet, place butter and oil, and heat until the butter and oil are sizzling. Place the pieces of steak in the hot skillet, and cook until golden brown on both sides, then turn the heat to medium low, and cook until the steak is cooked through – 20 to 30 minutes. 
3. Place the steak in the crockpot. Add the chicken broth to the skillet, and bring to a simmer, gently scraping the bottom of the skillet, deglazing the skillet, and adding the skillet drippings to the broth. 
4. Add the balsamic vinegar, and stir well, and add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, stirring well with broth and juices from skillet. Pour the broth mixture from the skillet into the crockpot, and cover with lid.  
5. Rinse and peel the carrots, and slice into bite size slices.  Add to crockpot.  Rinse and peel the potatoes, and cut into bite size pieces, and add to crockpot.  Peel the onions and cut into bite size pieces, and add to crockpot, cover with lid.
6. In a large microwave safe measuring cup (4 cup capacity). Heat 2 1/2 cups of filtered water until boiling. Add the Tomato paste to the water and stir to dissolve. Add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and stir. 
7. Pour the liquid over the steak and vegetables in the crockpot and stir well. Sprinkle the stew with garlic salt and seasoned salt, stir and cover with lid. Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours, or on low for 7 to 8 hours.
8. Before serving place a small amount of the stew in a bowl, and taste to make sure the stew is seasoned to your liking, and that all vegetables are cooked tender, and steak is fork tender. If it needs a little more salt, sprinkle a small amount and taste until desired seasoning is reached. Serve, and enjoy!

You can serve this with cornbread, crusty bread, bread and butter, croutons, or crackers.  

NOTE:  If you’re not familiar with the term ‘deglazing the skillet’ it simply means adding broth, juices, or water to the skillet after meat has been cooked in it, and removed, leaving the pan drippings, or the bits in the bottom of the pan, and any oil and butter left in the pan.  When you heat the liquid, it softens the bits left behind and allows you to gently scrape them from the bottom of the skillet and into the broth or water, adding the delicious flavor to your liquid.  The liquid can be used in stews or soups or sauces and gives your dish a rich hearty flavor.  

Perfect for Any Occasion

One of the best things about Crockpot Beef Stew is its versatility. It’s the ultimate “set it and forget it” meal, making it perfect for those days when you’re too busy to spend hours in the kitchen. Simply throw the ingredients into the crockpot in the morning, and by dinner time, you’ll have a delicious, hot meal ready to go. It’s also an ideal dish for feeding a crowd, whether you’re hosting a casual family dinner or a cozy get-together with friends.

And let’s not forget the leftovers—if there are any! Crockpot Beef Stew only gets better the next day, as the flavors continue to deepen and meld. It’s great for meal prep, ensuring you have a tasty, nourishing lunch or dinner ready in minutes.

A True Comfort Food Classic

In a world of fast-paced living, Crockpot Beef Stew offers a return to the comforting, homemade meals of yesteryear. It’s a dish that doesn’t require fancy techniques or exotic ingredients—just simple, wholesome foods cooked slowly to bring out their best. So, whether you’re looking to warm up on a chilly evening or need a dependable go-to recipe for any occasion, this Crockpot Beef Stew is a classic that never disappoints.