I’m sharing my take on Paula Deen’s Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe, a comforting dish that’s perfect for chilly days. This recipe delivers fall-apart tender beef and vegetables in a rich, savory broth.
With simple ingredients and a slow cooker, you’ll achieve tender results with minimal effort. Let’s get started!
Ingredients for Paula Deen Beef Stew Recipe Slow Cooker
Simple ingredients come together in this comforting slow cooker beef stew recipe.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beef Stew Meat 🥩 | 2 lb | Chuck roast, cut into 1-inch pieces |
| All-Purpose Flour 🌾 | 2 tbsp | For dredging beef |
| Olive Oil 🫒 | 2 tbsp | For browning beef |
| Onion 🧅 | 1 whole | Chopped, yellow or white |
| Garlic Cloves 🧄 | 4 cloves | Minced |
| Carrots 🥕 | 4 whole | Peeled, sliced |
| Potatoes 🥔 | 2 whole | Peeled, cubed |
| Beef Broth 🍜 | 2 cups | Low-sodium preferred |
| Red Wine 🍷 | 1 cup | Dry red wine, optional |
| Tomato Paste 🍅 | 2 tbsp | Concentrated |
| Worcestershire Sauce 🧂 | 1 tbsp | Adds depth |
| Dried Thyme 🌿 | 1 tsp | Or 1 tbsp fresh thyme |
| Bay Leaves 🌿 | 2 whole | Remove before serving |
| Salt 🧂 | 1 tsp | Kosher salt preferred |
| Black Pepper 🌶️ | ½ tsp | Freshly ground |
For the best results, use chuck roast for tender beef. Most grocery stores carry pre-cut stew meat. If you’re buying a whole roast, look for good marbling. I prefer Costco for their quality beef. Brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
No red wine? Use additional beef broth or a mix of broth and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Fresh thyme is ideal, but dried thyme works too at one-third the amount. If using tomato paste, those squeeze tubes at Trader Joe’s are convenient and minimize waste.
This stew reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day. Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- I’ll be real: I love that this recipe makes great leftovers – it’s just as delicious the next day, and it’s a huge time-saver for lunch or another dinner.
- Slow Sunday Savior: I throw all the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning, and by dinner, I have a rich, comforting stew ready.
- Garlic Magic Happens: The combination of garlic cloves and onion creates a depth of flavor that’s ridiculously good – it’s like a warm hug in a bowl.
- Feeds the Crew: This Paula Deen beef stew recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd, whether it’s a family dinner or a gathering with friends – it’s easy to scale up.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Paula Deen’s Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Here’s the method to achieve that fall-apart tender comfort food we all crave.
Step 1: Prepare and Brown the Beef
Start by seasoning the 2 lb Beef Stew Meat with the 1 tsp Salt and 0.5 tsp Black Pepper. I like to do this generously to ensure the flavor penetrates the meat. Then, dredge the beef pieces in the 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour, shaking off any excess. This step helps create a nice crust on the beef.
Heat the 2 tbsp Olive Oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Brown the beef on all sides, which should take about 5 minutes per batch. The beef doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage; we’re just getting a good sear. Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker as you go.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
In the same skillet, add the chopped 1 whole Onion. Cook until it’s softened and translucent, which typically takes about 5 minutes. Add the 4 cloves Garlic Cloves and cook for another minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The aroma of the garlic and onion will fill your kitchen, signaling that your stew is off to a great start.
Scrape the onion and garlic mixture into the slow cooker with the browned beef. This layer of aromatics will infuse the stew with deep, rich flavors as it cooks.
Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients and Cook
Add the 4 whole Carrots and 2 whole Potatoes to the slow cooker. Pour in the 2 cups Beef Broth and 1 cup Red Wine, making sure that the ingredients are mostly covered. If necessary, add a bit more broth or water to achieve the desired consistency. Stir in the 2 tbsp Tomato Paste and 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce until well combined. Add the 1 tsp Dried Thyme and 2 whole Bay Leaves.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. The stew is done when the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Remove the Bay Leaves before serving.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the stew hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. The slow cooking process should have resulted in beef that’s so tender it falls apart easily, and vegetables that are perfectly cooked. This dish is a perfect comfort food for a cold day, providing warmth and satisfaction with every bite.
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Pro Tips For Making Paula Deen Beef Stew Recipe Slow Cooker
- Brown the Beef: Take the time to properly brown the Beef Stew Meat in Olive Oil before adding it to the slow cooker – it makes a real difference in the depth of flavor. I learned this the hard way—skipping this step results in a stew that’s just okay.
- Prep Onions Right: Make sure to chop the Onion into fairly uniform pieces so they cook consistently throughout the long slow cooking process. This isn’t the prettiest method, but it’s the tastiest.
- Don’t Overcrowd: When browning the beef, work in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the pan, as this will steam the meat instead of browning it. After burning three batches, I finally figured out that giving the meat some space is crucial.
- Season Early: Season the beef with salt and pepper before coating it with All-Purpose Flour to ensure the flavors penetrate the meat. My grandmother swore by this, and she was right: it actually changes the outcome of the dish.
Dietary Considerations for This paula deen beef stew recipe slow cooker
Making It Gluten-Free
To make Paula Deen’s Slow Cooker Beef Stew gluten-free, start by replacing the all-purpose flour used for dredging the beef with a gluten-free flour blend. Look for a blend that contains rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca flour for best results.
Watching Your Sodium
For a lower-sodium version, use low-sodium beef broth and be mindful of the Worcestershire sauce, as some brands can be high in sodium. You can also reduce the amount of added salt or omit it entirely if you’re watching your sodium intake closely.
Keto Adaptations
To make this stew keto-friendly, omit the potatoes and carrots, which are higher in carbohydrates. Replace them with low-carb vegetables like celery, mushrooms, or green beans. Also, ensure that your beef broth is sugar-free and watch the ingredients in your Worcestershire sauce to avoid added sugars.
Dairy-Free Considerations
This stew is naturally dairy-free, but if you’re serving it with a side like mashed potatoes or crusty bread that typically contains dairy, consider dairy-free alternatives. You can use dairy-free butter or margarine for serving.
Other Dietary Adjustments
For a low-carb version, focus on reducing or eliminating the potatoes and carrots. If you’re looking for a spicier stew, add some red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to give it a kick. You can also experiment with different herbs and spices to suit your taste preferences. 🌶️
Nutrition Facts
540kcal
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this beef stew recipe without browning the beef first?
While you can skip browning the beef, it adds a rich flavor to the stew. Browning creates a caramelized crust on the meat that enhances the overall taste. If you’re short on time, you can brown the beef quickly over high heat.
How long can I store leftovers of this slow cooker beef stew?
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. The stew also freezes well for up to 3 months. Reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Can I adjust the cooking time if I prefer my vegetables firmer?
Yes, you can adjust the cooking time to achieve your preferred vegetable texture. For firmer vegetables, add the carrots and potatoes later in the cooking process, about 2-3 hours before serving if cooking on low.
Is it necessary to use red wine in this recipe?
No, red wine is optional. You can substitute it with additional beef broth or a mix of broth and a splash of balsamic vinegar for a similar depth of flavor. The wine adds a richness, but the stew will still be delicious without it.
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