Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Potatoes & Carrots | Easy Comfort Food
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Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Potatoes & Carrots
From Our Kitchen to Yours | Recipes, Memories & Handmade Traditions
October 16, 2026
There's just something about a big pot of homemade beef stew simmering away that makes a house feel like home. ❤️
Maybe it's the smell of tender beef, hearty potatoes, and sweet carrots filling the kitchen. Maybe it's knowing that, after a long day, dinner is already taken care of. Or maybe it's the memories that come with gathering around the table for a warm, home-cooked meal.
Whatever it is, Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Potatoes & Carrots is one of those timeless comfort foods that never goes out of style.
And the best part? Your slow cooker does most of the work!
Here at Johnson Heirloom, we're all about preserving traditions, creating memories, and finding joy in the little things. Sometimes that means stitching together a beautiful quilt, and sometimes it means sharing a simple homemade meal with the people we love.
So grab your slow cooker, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and let's make something delicious!
🍲 Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Potatoes & Carrots
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 7–8 hours on LOW or 4–5 hours on HIGH
Total Time: Approximately 8 hours
Servings: 6–8
Ingredients
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2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1½-inch cubes
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1½ pounds Yukon Gold or red potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
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4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into thick rounds
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1 medium yellow onion, diced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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3 cups beef broth
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2 tablespoons tomato paste
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1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
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1 teaspoon dried thyme
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1 teaspoon dried rosemary
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, for browning the beef)
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2 tablespoons cornstarch
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2 tablespoons cold water
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1 cup frozen peas (optional)
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Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Wash and chop your potatoes, carrots, and onion. Cut the beef into evenly sized cubes so everything cooks consistently.
There's no need to make everything perfectly uniform. A good homemade stew is supposed to look hearty and rustic!
Step 2: Brown the Beef (Optional, but Recommended)
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Working in batches, brown the beef on the outside for approximately 2–3 minutes per side.
You don't need to cook it all the way through. You're simply building that rich, savory flavor.
Short on time? You can skip this step and add the beef directly to your slow cooker.
Step 3: Fill Your Slow Cooker
Add the potatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic to the bottom of your slow cooker.
Place the beef on top.
Step 4: Add the Flavor
In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Pour the mixture over the beef and vegetables.
Give everything a gentle stir.
Step 5: Let It Cook!
Cover and cook on:
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LOW: 7–8 hours
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HIGH: 4–5 hours
Your stew is ready when the beef is fork-tender and the potatoes and carrots are soft.
Try not to lift the lid too often. Let that slow cooker work its magic!
Step 6: Thicken the Stew
About 20–30 minutes before serving, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
Stir the mixture into the hot stew.
If you're adding frozen peas, stir them in now.
Cover and cook on HIGH for another 20–30 minutes, or until the broth has thickened.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Give everything one final stir and taste for seasoning.
Ladle your homemade beef stew into bowls, sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.
And don't forget a piece of crusty bread or a homemade biscuit to soak up that delicious broth!
❤️ A Few Tips from My Kitchen
Use Chuck Roast for the Best Results
Chuck roast is one of my favorite cuts for slow cooker beef stew because the connective tissue breaks down during slow cooking, creating tender, flavorful bites.
Cut Your Vegetables a Little Larger
Potatoes and carrots can become mushy if they're cut too small. Larger, hearty pieces hold up better during the long cooking process.
Want an Even Richer Flavor?
Replace ½ cup of the beef broth with additional broth enriched by a splash of balsamic vinegar, or add a little extra Worcestershire sauce.
Prefer a Thicker Stew?
Add another small cornstarch slurry near the end of cooking. Allow it to simmer until the desired consistency is reached.
Don't Rush the Beef
If your beef is still tough, it usually needs more cooking time. Keep cooking until it's tender enough to pull apart with a fork.
🥖 What to Serve with Homemade Beef Stew
This stew is practically a meal all by itself, but it's even better with a little something on the side.
Some of our favorites include:
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Warm homemade buttermilk biscuits
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Crusty French bread
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Southern cornbread
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Buttered dinner rolls
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A simple garden salad
And if you ask me, there's nothing wrong with enjoying a second helping!
🥣 Storing & Reheating Leftovers
One of my favorite things about homemade beef stew is that it tastes even better the next day!
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooled stew in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months for best quality.
Reheating: Warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through, or microwave individual portions, stirring occasionally. Reheat leftovers to 165°F.
If the stew thickens while refrigerated, simply add a splash of beef broth or water when reheating.
🧵 From Our Kitchen to Yours
Some of the best memories are made around the dinner table.
They aren't always fancy meals or special occasions. Sometimes they're just ordinary evenings, a warm bowl of stew, and the comfort of being together.
That's what I love about recipes like this one.
They're simple. They're comforting. And they're the kind of recipes that can be passed down and enjoyed for generations.
Just like a handmade quilt, a family recipe has a way of connecting us to the people and moments that matter most.
Here at Johnson Heirloom, we believe those everyday moments are worth treasuring.
So whether you're spending your afternoon sewing, quilting, working, or simply enjoying a quiet day at home, I hope this recipe brings a little extra warmth to your table.
From our kitchen to yours, happy cooking! ❤️
With love,
Jacquelyn
Johnson Heirloom
Turning today's moments into tomorrow's treasures.
💕 Let's Keep the Conversation Going!
Do you have a favorite ingredient you always add to your homemade beef stew?
Maybe a splash of Worcestershire sauce, extra potatoes, or a secret family seasoning?
I'd love to hear your family's favorite way to make beef stew! Share your tips in the comments.
And don't forget to follow along with our From Our Kitchen to Yours series for more homemade recipes, kitchen memories, and traditions worth sharing.
