Crock Pot Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food. Tender chunks of beef with potatoes and carrots in a thick, hearty gravy makes for a nourishing meal any time of year!
Crock Pot Beef Stew
Crock Pot Beef Stew, which we also call Irish Beef Stew, is one of our favorite meals to make on a chilly evening. The simmering stew meat cooks low and slow in the Crock Pot, the savory smell permeating the house. It’s such a delightful fragrance to come home to! Our Irish relatives make this each year for St. Patrick’s Day. This recipe is similar to a traditional Irish stew; the only difference is we don’t add beer to the broth. No matter the occasion or season, this stew is warm, comforting and filling. Pair it with our Irish Soda Bread or biscuits and a green side salad and you have a delectable dinner all year ’round!
Suggestions for Crock Pot Beef Stew
- What makes this beef so tender and juicy is how long it simmers in the slow cooker. Low and slow is best for this type of recipe, because you can use any type of stew beef and it will become fall apart tender.
- Be sure to brown your stew meat before throwing it in the slow cooker. Searing the meat on all sides ensures the juices stay locked in the meat during cooking.
- I like to cut the vegetables into fairly large chunks so they don’t get soggy while cooking. You can always chop them into smaller bite size pieces later on.
- Try different seasonings to suit your taste. You’ll want to taste test the stew about 30 minutes before serving and add more salt, pepper or seasonings as needed.
- Remove the bay leaves before serving.
- I love the classic potatoes, onions and carrots in this recipe, but you could also add chopped celery, diced green beans, peas or even corn to this stew for even more veggie flavor.
More Crock Pot/Slow Cooker Soups to Try
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup: Chicken and Rice Soup warms you up on cold fall and winter days. It is also ideal for busy days. The ingredients go into the Slow Cooker in the morning and a nice, hot meal awaits in the evening.
- Crock Pot Split Pea Soup: There are so many different vegetables in this Crock Pot Split Pea Soup. It is very healthy and hearty.
- Slow Cooker Cheese Tortellini Soup: This Cheese Tortellini Soup is a flavorful, easy slow cooker meal. Tortellini, sausage, and spinach in a creamy tomato soup and slow cooked to perfection.
- Slow Cooker Pasta E Fagioli Soup: Our version of the Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Soup tastes just like the original. It is an Italian seasoned soup easily made in the slow cooker.
- Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup: Many agree that this Zuppa Toscana Soup Olive Garden Copycat is actually better than the original! It has a creamy both base and is loaded with sausage and potatoes.
How to Make Crock Pot Beef Stew
Crock Pot Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food. Tender chunks of beef with potatoes and carrots in a thick, hearty gravy makes for a nourishing meal any time of year!
Serves: 10
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound chuck roast cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces or pre-cut stew meat
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes halved or quartered depending on size
- 1 pound baby carrots
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cans beef broth approximately 40 ounces
- 1 small can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Balsamic or red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 Tbsp cold water
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 2 bay leaves
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cut roast into 1 1/2 inch bite size chunks and place them in a gallon size resealable bag or other airtight container. Add flour, salt, and pepper. Shake bag until the meat is coated with flour.
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy bottom skillet or pot. Add coated meat and brown each piece on all sides.
- While meat is browning, cut potatoes and carrots and place both in the bottom of a crock pot. When meat is browned, layer the meat on top of the potatoes and carrots and leave remaining juices in the skillet.
- Return the skillet to the stovetop and add butter. Melt the butter on medium-high heat, then saute onions and garlic. Stir in beef broth, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. In a small cup, combine cornstarch and cold water. Mix until smooth then add to the liquid mixture in the skillet. This will thicken the liquid. Pour all the contents of the skillet over the meat and vegetables in the crock pot. Add thyme, parsley flakes, and bay leaves.
- Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for approximately 4 hours. 30 minutes before serving check the taste of the broth and add salt, pepper, or seasonings as needed. Allow to cook for another 30 minutes after adding seasonings.
- Remove bay leaves before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Equipment
- Crock Pot Slow Cooker
Recipe Video
Nutrition
Calories: 287kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 1159mg | Potassium: 979mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 6610IU | Vitamin C: 16.7mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 6.2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @favoritefamilyrecipes or tag #favoritefamilyrecipes!
Lynn Tremblay says
Hi, could this be made on the stove, if so, what would be the directions pls. Thank you
Favorite Family Recipes says
You can follow the instructions as written, but replace “crock pot” with “large stock pot” and instead of cooking it for 7-8 hours, you can let it simmer on the stove for 1-2 hours. Hope this helps!
DJW says
I found this recipe last year and it’s my husband’s new favorite! I add cut green beans, diced celery and diced tomatoes to add some extra flavor. I refer to my creation as a “stoup” = stew + soup, because I make the broth a little thicker, but all meat and veggies are cut up “bite size”. No particular reason other than that’s the way I like it. I also have learned to cook the onions with the tomato paste, which gives it a really nice flavor. Love this recipe, and hope these tips help. 😀
Suz says
I just made this for dinner! Delicious! I plan on making it again. This was my first time making this recipe and it was simple and the whole house smelled great! I also made the Irish Soda Bread that’s on this Food website to compliment my Irish stew, wow, it was fantastic and easy to make too.
This is in my favorite recipes! Perfect for a chilly rainy day!😋👍
Francesca Howard says
Thanks for sharing the Irish beef stew its one of my favourites and I like to add my dinner menu for an upcoming family event hope everyone likes and enjoy this meal.
Lorvel says
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Absolutely delicious! Friends and family first request, always! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Lorvel says
Absolutely delicious! Friends and family first request, always! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Janet Glass says
My family loved this recipe; however, I love using fresh herbs and used fresh thyme (1 heaping tablespoon) and 3 teaspoons of fresh parsley. Is the recipe correct in using 1 tablespoon of dried thyme? I thought you use 3 times the amount of fresh herbs to 1 time of dried herbs. Anyway, the stew is delicious! I will check out more of your recipes. Thank you.
Tom Skyehope says
The soup just simply delicious.
Fabulous!
Favorite Family Recipes says
Thank you so much! So happy you enjoyed it 🙂 Thanks for the 5-stars!
Mike says
How big a crockpot?
Favorite Family Recipes says
we typically use 6-7 quart slow cookers. Hope this helps!
Zorka DeFreeuw says
What is the instructions for the cheese. What kind of cheese? I would also like to know when you bake is the old fashion mix Master the same as the new paddle mixers.Thank you.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Cheese isn’t an ingredient in our Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew. I’m not sure on your mixer question either. Please email us at favfamilyrecipes@gmail.com. Thank you!
Mary says
I don’t know why you are calling it Irish Stew, an Irish stew uses lamb (mutton), not beef. It sounds good though and I will try it but it’s beef stew.
Sally says
This recipe is absolutely the best! So glad I found it. I’ve made it at least 4 times already and am making it again tomorrow. The combination of spice is perfect!!
Favorite Family Recipes says
We are so glad you found it too! 😀 Glad you like it!
Judith says
I would brown the tomato paste with the onions for a better taste. Js.love the recioe.
Favorite Family Recipes says
That is a great idea, thank you!
Elizabeth says
Can this be frozen? because potatoes tend to not freeze well I find.
Favorite Family Recipes says
It can be, but like you said, sometimes the potatoes get mushy and get a weird texture. If you were planning on making way ahead of time, it may be a good idea to prepare and just add the potatoes later. Hope this helps!
Miranda says
So it’s 3 40oz cans? So that equals 120oz? Or is it 3 cans to EQUAL 40oz?
Favorite Family Recipes says
It is equal to 40 oz. So each can is approximately 12-15oz. Hope that makes sense!
Lisa says
If I were to do this in the oven, what temperature would I use and for how long? It looks delicious!
Favorite Family Recipes says
Hmmmm that is a good question. If you have a big casserole baking dish with a lid you could probably do it on 350 for the same amount of time. Hope this helps!
Roy Peter Ledama says
Am trying this in the oven today ..hope it turns out fine!!!
Shelle says
Great recipe!! Love that it is alcohol free 🙂 I prefer Irish stew served over mashed potatoes. I just cut out the potatoes and add more carrots. I thicken it a bit more as needed but this is a great recipe for either, thank you!
Gretchen says
If you subbed turkey, would you increase liquid or fat somewhere? Looks divine, thx!
Favorite Family Recipes says
I don’t think it would be necessary to add extra liquid or fat. I think you can just add the turkey without adding anything else. Hope this helps!
Fran says
I’m making today I may put cooked rice in the bottom of the bowl then put stew on top
Lisa Slaughter says
I am trying the beef stew for tonight’s dinner. I hope it turns out good.
PattiRL says
What makes this wonderful stew IRISH STEW?
Favorite Family Recipes says
We love Irish Stew but this version is alcohol-free because we don’t drink alcohol. Some have suggested adding beer to make it more “authentic”. Hope this helps!
Tami says
Just came across this page and although I know this page is from 2017, I feel compelled to share that authentic Irish stew doesn’t contain alcohol at all:) I’m Irish, living in Ireland my whole life, have my paternal and maternal ancestors recipes from different parts of Ireland as well as my convent school recipe and I’ve never heard of an Irish stew with alcohol in it. Sure, beer would ruin it altogether!!
Myra Foster-Smith says
Thank you for posting this!
I think the world believes the Irish put beer in everything, just as it thinks all Americans eat is McDonald’s, lol!!
Is traditional Irish stew anything like this recipe, which is a basic American stew? I’d love to hear how you make yours. Thanks so much!
Pamela says
How many servings would you say this will make? I always like to save that along with any recipe I keep for future use.
thanks
Favorite Family Recipes says
6-8 servings depending on serving size. 🙂
Trisha says
I’m going to try this. If I wanted to used alcohol- what would I use(someone mentioned beer(?)?. Also I don’t care for Worcestershire sauce, so could I use A-1 steak sauce. I know they taste a lot alike- but there’s sorting inWorcestershire sauce I do not like. Thank you, Trisha
Jenifer Gardner says
My husband actually showed me this recipe and he hates soups and stews, says he wants to try this…. I really can’t wait to try!!
Tabitha says
Could you use gluten free flour? I really want to try this but can’t have gluten
Favorite Family Recipes says
Yes, a quality gluten free flour will work just fine in this recipe. Thanks for asking!
Marie says
Sounds delicious!
Favorite Family Recipes says
Thank you, Marie!
Linda says
Just made this today. It was delicious. I made a mistake on vinegar. I used rice wine instead if red wine. Grabbed wrong bottle, but it still was so good. Had some sourdough bread with it. Cannot wait to make again.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Glad it still worked out for you, despite the vinegar mix-up! Great idea serving with sourdough!
Vicky says
Delish. I used recipe with a venison roast. Amazing
Cathy says
I’m going to make this tomorrow. Defrosting my roast today. I am going to leave the potatoes out because I have 10lbs of russets. I will make mashed potatoes instead. Thank you so much for sharing this without alcohol.
Favorite Family Recipes says
You’re welcome! Enjoy the stew!
Lisa says
This stew is just so very good!
shawn says
Made this for the family and I must say, it had an extremely off taste, think I’m attributing it to the vinegar, until now I have never heard of that in stew but I follow your recipe as directed. Is this “off” taste typical of Irish stew?
Echo says
The vinegar is a substitute for the alcohol that is commonly used in Irish stew. You can leave it out if you don’t like the flavor. Thank you for asking!
Stephanie ouellette says
Can I use lamb stew meat?
Erica says
Absolutely! It would actually make it more traditional that way 🙂
Tammy says
I do not have a crock pot, never was big on them but this looks so wonderful!!! Do you think I could just make in a big pot on the stove, or just borrow my daughters crock pot??? TY 🙂
Echo says
You can definitely make this in a regular pot on the stove. After adding everything to the pot, cover and let it simmer until the potatoes and carrots are cooked. It will probably take 45 minutes to an hour. Thanks for asking!
Bill in Massachusetts says
Just finished dinner, my wife and I each had a good size bowl of your Irish stew, yum. I followed the recipe to a tea, perfect. Had a Stella and hunks of crusty bread with it, great meal on such a blustery day. Thanks!
Echo says
Thank you for sharing this! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Shirley says
it would be nice if you emailed me some of your recipes,thanks
Echo says
We will add you to our email list and you will have our recipes emailed to you each week. Thank you!
Toni says
Can you add me too? Thank you
Favorite Family Recipes says
Done!
Louise says
Thank you so much for posting this recipe that has no alcohol in it.
Could you please tell me what size slow cooker you used to make it?
Echo says
Yes, I used a 6-quart slow cooker or crock pot. Thank you for asking!
Jane Wolford says
I have had this recipe for your Irish Beef Stew in the crockpot all day. The aroma is driving us crazy! Just gave hubby a taste & he thinks it to die for! Cannot wait to scoop up a big in a little while!!! It’s so delicious!!!! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Jane
Echo says
Thank you, Jane! I’m so glad you like the recipe!
Vicki Thomson says
Sounds delicious!! If you were adding alcohol would you add maybe one can of Guinness ??
Erica says
If you added any alcohol you may want to just cut down on some of the broth so it stays thick 🙂 Hope this helps!
marilyn Plitz says
sounds good… How would this be with chunks of cabbage tossed in and if so, when would you insert them?
Erica says
I am sure if would be great! You could probably add them any time. I would probably add them closer to the end.
Kelly says
Why can’t I see the full recipe? Would love to try this!
Echo says
There was a technical issue on our site for a few hours, it should be working just fine now. Thanks!
Cindy says
I like to make dumplings on top of stew can this be done with this stew?
Favorite Family Recipes says
We haven’t tried that before – but it sounds delicious! Let us know if you do try it!
Judy says
Looks wonderful.
Echo says
Thanks Judy!
Emily C. says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious! I added frozen peas about an hour before it was done cooking. I will definitely be making it again.
Echo says
Thanks Emily! I’m so glad you like the recipe!
Pamela Wallen says
How many servings does this recipe make. I am looking to make it for St Patrick’s Day luncheon for my ladies church group and my husband wants to make sure he can have some as well. So I need to know if I need to double or triple the recipe. Thanks
Echo says
This recipe serves 4-6 depending on how much you serve each person. It serves 4 if you are serving in large bowls, or 6 if you are serving in a regular size soup bowl. Good luck with your luncheon!
Joyful Noises says
Thanks for posting a non-alcoholic Irish stew recipe! It looks GREAT. St. Patty’s is my birthday, and I am pregnant and have two small kiddoes, so I DEFINITELY didn’t want any traces of alcohol in it (because no… it doesn’t actually cook out that much. Plus, being Mormon… don’t want alcohol in it anyways.) I’m looking forward to feeding this to the missionaries when they come over on Tuesday (one of them is from Ireland, so I’ll let you know his opinion of it!).
I do have one question, though–how many does this serve? I’m thinking I should probably double it, but wanted to make sure I won’t be over-doing it! Thanks!
Echo says
Thank you and congratulations on a new addition to your family! This recipe serves 6. I serve it with a side salad and our cheesy biscuits and it is very filling. You probably don’t need to double it, but it is always nice to have leftovers.
Joyful Noises says
By the way–the recipe is SO good! Everyone loved it! I definitely keep this on the top of my list. We’re making it for dinner tomorrow along with sourdough bread bowls. Yummmmm. I love your blog–thanks for sharing!
MJ says
it appear there is not enough moisture to do this stew justice….we’ll see….
Echo says
You’re right – I had 3 cups instead of 3 cans. Thank you so much for catching this! I made the change in the recipe.
Dave Inocencio says
You’re right – I had 3 cups instead of 3 cans. Thank you so much for catching this! I made the change in the recipe. I found this comment under the Crock Pot Stew. My question is, Three cans of what??? Water, broth? Please explain. Thank you. Dave
Erica Walker says
This is 3 cans of beef broth. It is in the recipe above. Hope this clarifies things!
Jess says
Does anyone have an estimate of the calories in this recipe?
p.latimer says
why worry..it taste so good you would ask for more….so ..calories be dam…just enjoy…