This slow cooker beef stew is nourishing and easy to make! It’s a dump-and-go meal made with stew meat, vegetables, and arrowroot starch instead of flour.

Beef stew fully cooked in the slow cooker

Why you’ll love this slow cooker beef stew

Nothing says comfort food like beef stew! Slow-roasted meat like Dutch oven beef stew and oven-braised chuck roast is a huge staple in my house. And even though I love a tender roast out the oven, I love the set it and forget it style meal in the slow cooker too.

I’ve been making beef stew in the slow cooker for years, and I don’t know what I would do without this staple meal! There are so many ways you can make beef stew, but this simple and delicious version is one that I have often. Here’s why you’re going to love it…

Headshot of Michelle Hoover, a brunette woman with pigtails in a pink sweater.
  • Set it and forget it. This recipe requires zero precooking, and zero babysitting. Just put it in the slow cooker and you’re done!
  • It’s thickened without flour to make it Gluten-free. Most stews are going to be thickened with flour, but this one is thickened with arrowroot starch to make it gluten-free.
  • Comfort food classic. It just doesn’t get any more comforting than tender beef, flavorful herbs, and rich veggies!

Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Beef stew meat. I prefer to use stew meat that’s already cut, but you can also buy a chuck roast and cut it yourself at home!
  • Carrots, parsnips, and white sweet potato. These are the root vegetables that I like to use, but you can also use potatoes, rutabaga, and orange sweet potato.
  • Beef broth. I highly recommend making this recipe with my slow cooker beef bone broth.
  • Frozen peas.
  • Herbs.
  • Arrowroot starch. This thickens the stew. You can also use tapioca starch or cornstarch.

Let’s Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew…

Here are the simple steps, with photos, to make this recipe. Find full instructions in the recipe card.

Slow cooker beef stew uncooked in the crockpot

Step one. Add the beef to the bottom of the slow cooker along with the vegetables. Set the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours.

arrowroot starch slurry being poured into crock pot beef stew

Step two. Add the peas and arrowroot starch slurry to thicken before serving!

How to adapt for the Instant Pot

  • Add 2 tbsp of oil (like avocado oil) to the bottom of the Instant Pot and set to sauté. Add the beef to the Instant Pot and lightly brown.
  • Add the vegetables and sauté for another few minutes.
  • Add the remaining ingredients, then place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal the valve. Use the “stew” setting to cook the stew. Let the pressure release naturally and remove the bay leaves before serving.

How to make freezer meal beef stew

Slow cooker beef stew ingredients uncooked in a freezer bag.

This recipe was originally part of my own postpartum freezer meal prep, which turned into a list of 20 easy and healthy freezer meals! Here’s all you have to do…

  • Add all of the ingredients to a freezer bag, reserving the arrowroot starch and liquid ingredients.
  • Freeze flat in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • When ready to cook, transfer to the fridge and place it in a large container (like a casserole dish or a large bowl in case it leaks at all) to defrost.
  • Once the meat is totally thawed, cook as directed.

Michelle’s Tips & Tricks

  • Cut the vegetables into similar sizes. This is key to making sure everything cooks evenly! It doesn’t have to be perfect, but the closer, the better.
  • Sear the meat beforehand for extra crispness and flavor. I developed this recipe to be more of a dump and cook style meal, and browning the meat isn’t required, but if you have the time, it does add an extra layer of flavor.

If you tried this Slow Cooker Beef Stew or any other recipe on my blog please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!

More beef stew recipes to try…

Beef stew fully cooked in the slow cooker
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Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Author: Michelle
This slow cooker beef stew is nourishing and easy to make! It's a dump-and-go meal made with stew meat, vegetables, and arrowroot starch instead of flour.
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb beef stew meat
  • 2 cups carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup white sweet ptoato , peeled and chopped
  • ½ onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 cups beef broth
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 tsp thyme
  • 2 tbsp parsley. chopped, plus additional for topping
  • 1 cup frozen peas, omit for AIP

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Add the beef to the bottom of the slow cooker along with the vegetables.
  • Pour the broth, tomato paste, vinegar and seasonings over the beef and vegetables. Stir well to combine.
  • Set the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours (or high for 3-4 hours). The beef should be fully cooked through to about 160F and the vegetables tender.
  • If a thicker broth is desired, spoon out about 1/2 cup of broth and whisk in the arrowroot starch. Add back to the slow cooker and cook for another 20 minutes or so to thicken.
  • Remove the bay leaves and serve topped with fresh parsley and seasonings to taste.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 277kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 1246mg, Potassium: 994mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 15734IU, Vitamin C: 22mg, Calcium: 92mg, Iron: 4mg
All nutrition facts are estimated and will vary.
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