Hearty Healthy Beef Stew: Easy Crockpot Comfort (Print Version)

Enjoy this simple, healthy beef stew, slow-cooked in a crockpot for tender meat and rich flavors. A wholesome, easy weeknight meal your family will love.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 7 Hours minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Gluten-Free (if using GF broth/Worcestershire)

# Ingredients:

→ Stew Base

01 - 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 4 cups low sodium beef broth
03 - 1/2 cup red wine (e.g., Cabernet or Merlot)
04 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Fresh Veggies

05 - 3 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
06 - 2 stalks celery, chopped
07 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
08 - 1.5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered

→ Flavor Builders

09 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 2 bay leaves
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing/sautéing)

→ Finishing Touches

15 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, pat that beef dry with paper towels. Seriously, this is key! Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, add the beef in batches – don't overcrowd the pan, or it'll steam instead of sear. You want a beautiful, dark brown crust on all sides. This step, my friends, is where all the deep, rich flavor starts. I used to skip this, thinking "it's going in the slow cooker, who cares?" Big mistake! The difference is night and day. Once seared, transfer the beef to your crockpot.
02 - In the same skillet (don't clean it, those browned bits are gold!), add a little more oil if needed. Toss in your chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté them for about 5-7 minutes until they start to soften and get a little color. This step really wakes up their flavors. Then, stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for just another minute until fragrant. Oh, the smell at this point is just heavenly – it’s like the promise of something truly delicious is already in the air! Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan while you’re at it.
03 - Pour that red wine into the skillet. Listen to that sizzle! Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that's called deglazing, and it’s pure magic for your <strong>Healthy Beef Stew</strong>. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes until the wine reduces slightly. Then, pour this glorious mixture over the seared beef in the crockpot. This is where all the good stuff starts to come together, building layers of taste!
04 - Now, add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and bay leaves to the crockpot. Give it a gentle stir to combine everything. Make sure the beef is mostly submerged in the liquid. If it's not, just add a little more broth until it looks right. I always double-check my spices here, sometimes I add a tiny bit more thyme because I just love that earthy note. This <strong>Healthy Beef Stew</strong> is really coming together now, you can almost taste it!
05 - Cover your crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. You're looking for that beef to be fall-apart tender, seriously, melt-in-your-mouth good. Around the last hour of cooking, stir in your quartered potatoes. I usually peek in and give it a good stir, making sure everything is happy. Sometimes I add a splash more broth if it looks too thick, because I like my stew a little saucy. Don't worry if it looks a bit messy; kitchen chaos is part of the charm, right?
06 - Once the potatoes are tender and the beef is perfectly soft, carefully remove the bay leaves. Give your <strong>Healthy Beef Stew</strong> a final taste and adjust the seasonings if needed – maybe a little more salt, a grind of fresh pepper. Ladle this incredible, hearty stew into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. The vibrant green just makes it pop and adds a lovely fresh counterpoint to the rich flavors. It smells amazing, looks comforting, and honestly, it’s just what the soul needs. Enjoy every warm, savory spoonful!

# Notes:

01 - Honestly, don't skimp on searing the beef; it builds so much flavor, I learned that the hard way when I rushed it once.
02 - This stew gets even better the next day, seriously! I always make extra and it's a lifesaver for lunch.
03 - No red wine? I've used a splash of balsamic vinegar in a pinch, and it gave a surprising depth, a little different but still good.
04 - A big dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream right before serving adds a lovely creaminess that contrasts with the rich stew, trust me.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet
02 - slow cooker (crockpot)
03 - wooden spoon
04 - sharp knife
05 - cutting board

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450-550
Total Fat: 25-35g
Total Carbohydrate: 30-40g
Protein: 40-50g

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