Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Recipe Date: October 23, 2025
Serving Size: 6
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 350 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Measurements: Imperial (US)

Achieving deep, beefy flavor in a stew usually means browning the meat—but we wanted all that richness without the extra work. Instead, we built layers of flavor by browning tomato paste with the aromatics, creating a robust, complex base that pairs beautifully with a glass of our red wine. The mix of chicken and beef broths amplifies the savory depth, while a splash of soy sauce adds an unexpected umami note that complements both earthy and fruit-forward wines. With tender-yet-distinct potatoes and carrots gently steamed in a foil packet above the stew, every bite offers balanced texture and warmth—perfect alongside a bold Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Malbec.

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbl olive oil
  • 3 onions, minced
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Tbl minced fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 C low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 C beef broth
  • 1/3 C soy sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 (4-lb) boneless beef chick roast trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks
  • 1 1/2 pounds red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 Lb carrots peeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced 1 inch thick
  • 2 Cups frozen peas

Directions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in 12 inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.  Add onions, tomato paste, garlic and thyme and cook until onions are softened and lightly browned, 8-10 min.  Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.  Slowly wisk in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits and smoothing out any lumps; transfer to the slow cooker.
  2. Stir in beef broth, soy sauce and bay leaves.  Season the beef with salt and pepper and wrap in foil packet.  Lay foil packet on top of stew.  Cover and cook until beef is tender, 9-11 hours on low or 5-7 hours on high.
  3. Transfer foil packet to plate.  Let stew settle for 5 minutes, then remove fat using large spoon.  Discard bay leaves.
  4. Carefully open foil packet (watch for steam), and stir vegetables with any accumulated juice into stew.  Stir in peas and let sit until heated through, about 5 minutes.  (Adjust stew consistency with additional hot broth as needed.)  Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
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