Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

Yes, but make sure your slow cooker is big enough. I once tried to double it in a medium crockpot and dinner showed up late because everything was too packed. Use a bigger cooker or split into two machines if needed.

Can I use frozen meat?

You should thaw meat first for safety and even cooking. While some slow cookers can handle frozen meat, it spends too long in the danger zone temperature-wise. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then proceed.

How do I make the stew thicker?

Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the stew near the end of cooking. Let it simmer on high for 15 minutes to thicken. You can also mash a few potato pieces into the broth to thicken naturally.

Is it okay to leave the slow cooker on while I’m out?

Yes, slow cookers are made to be left alone, but always follow manufacturer instructions. For a long, unattended day, use a trusted timer or plug-in timer and keep the cooker on a flat, heat-proof surface.

Easy Crockpot Beef Stew 2026

Name: Crockpot Beef Stew
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds beef stew meat; 4 carrots, sliced; 4 potatoes, diced; 1 onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 4 cups beef broth; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; Salt and pepper to taste

Description

A comforting, hearty beef stew that simmers in a slow cooker, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds beef stew meat
4 carrots, sliced
4 potatoes, diced
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Place the beef stew meat in the crockpot.
Add in the sliced carrots, diced potatoes, chopped onion, and minced garlic.
Pour the beef broth over the ingredients.
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the beef is tender.
Serve warm and enjoy your cozy evening!

Notes

For a thicker stew, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water and stir it in at the end of cooking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 480 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 80mg