Description

An effortless, budget-friendly slow cooker stew featuring tender chuck roast and root vegetables. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe requires minimal prep and delivers deep, comforting flavors with one-pot cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

2–3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
1 large yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
1 pound red potatoes, quartered
2 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
1 bay leaf
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons flour
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

Cut the chuck roast into 1.5-inch cubes and place in a large bowl. Sprinkle with flour, salt, and pepper, tossing until lightly coated.
Chop the onions, carrots, parsnips, and potatoes. Place the harder vegetables (carrots, parsnips, potatoes, onions) at the bottom of the slow cooker.
Spread the seasoned beef cubes on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle minced garlic and thyme over the top.
In a small bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Pour over the beef and vegetables.
Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours.
If the sauce is too thin, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes uncovered to thicken.
Remove the bay leaf, taste and adjust seasoning, and serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

Use low-sodium broth to control saltiness. Do not overcrowd the pot. Avoid stirring frequently during cooking to maintain heat. For a gluten-free version, swap flour for cornstarch or a GF blend. Red potatoes hold their shape better than russets in slow cookers.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 7-8 hours
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 380
Sugar: 5
Sodium: 450
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 6
Carbohydrates: 25
Fiber: 4
Protein: 28

Keywords: slow cooker, beef stew, root vegetables, chuck roast, easy dinner, weeknight meals, comfort food, one pot