Crock Pot Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food: a melt-in-your-mouth medley of tender beef, hearty potatoes, and sweet carrots all slow-cooked to perfection in a rich, savory sauce. This dish is a weekly staple in my kitchen because it’s effortless to throw together and reliably delicious, filling every corner of your house with the kind of aromas that make family and friends drift in from every room. It’s one of those classic meals that never fails to deliver warmth and satisfaction, especially on chilly days when you crave something nourishing and deeply flavorful.

Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients for Crock Pot Beef Stew is a breeze, and every item truly matters here. Each one adds a special touch, whether it’s depth of flavor, beautiful color, or irresistible heartiness—you’ll taste the difference with every bite.

Dry onion soup mix (2 packages): These little packets pack a punch, bringing big, savory notes and loads of flavor complexity to your stew.
Paprika (1/2 teaspoon): Just a sprinkle offers a mild warmth and lovely red color, rounding out the flavors.
Beef stew meat (2 pounds), or boneless beef roast: Cut into 1-inch pieces, this is the star of the show—choose well-marbled beef for meltingly tender bites.
Potatoes (5 medium, peeled and diced): Potatoes soak up all the delicious juices, giving every spoonful hearty satisfaction.
Baby carrots (2 to 3 cups): Naturally sweet and colorful, carrots make every serving pop with both flavor and brightness.
Yellow onion (1 small, chopped): Onion adds a subtle sweetness and depth that ties all the flavors together.
Cream of celery soup (2 cans): Provides a creamy backbone and savory richness that makes the stew extra comforting.
Ketchup (1 cup): The surprise ingredient! It brings tang and sweetness; feel free to substitute tomato sauce if you prefer a more subtle touch.

How to Make Crock Pot Beef Stew

Step 1: Season and Coat the Beef

Start by popping the dry onion soup mix and paprika into a large plastic bag, giving them a quick shake to blend. Toss your beef cubes into the bag (perhaps in two batches, depending on the size), and shake until every piece is well coated. This ensures every bite is full of flavor right from the get-go, and it makes prepping so tidy and easy.

Step 2: Layer the Ingredients in the Crock Pot

Spread out the seasoned beef evenly in your greased 7-quart crock pot. This forms the base for your stew. Next, sprinkle the diced potatoes, baby carrots, and chopped onion over the beef. Don’t worry about artful arrangement; just make sure everything is spread out to cook evenly.

Step 3: Mix and Pour the Sauce

In a small bowl, blend the cream of celery soup with the ketchup (or tomato sauce for a less tangy twist). Stir until smooth and uniform, then lovingly pour this mixture over your meat and vegetables. This magical combo seeps into every nook and cranny as it cooks, ensuring a luscious, cohesive sauce.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover your crock pot with its lid and set it on low. Let the Crock Pot Beef Stew slowly work its magic for 7 to 8 hours—the long, gentle cooking is what makes the beef fork-tender and melds all those beautiful flavors together. Resist peeking too often! Stir right before serving to bring everything together in all its cozy glory.

How to Serve Crock Pot Beef Stew

Garnishes

A simple sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley adds a lovely burst of color and fresh flavor right before serving. For extra flair, try a light dusting of freshly cracked black pepper or even a pinch of smoked paprika to echo the stew’s warmth.

Side Dishes

Crock Pot Beef Stew practically begs for a side of crusty bread, perfect for sopping up that delicious sauce. You can also serve it over pillowy mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or cooked egg noodles if you want to stretch the meal and switch things up.

Creative Ways to Present

For a rustic vibe, ladle your stew into wide, shallow bowls and set out a loaf of rustic bread for sharing. Or, for a party, try serving smaller portions in mugs for an easy, handheld comfort food snack. Leftovers also make a delightful filling for baked potatoes if you want to put a fun spin on round two!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Allow your stew to cool a bit before transferring it into airtight containers. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to four days—the flavors develop even more depth as they meld, making leftovers a real treat.

Freezing

Crock Pot Beef Stew is absolutely freezer-friendly. Ladle cooled stew into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags (leave a little room at the top for expansion), and freeze for up to three months. Label with the date so you never lose track!

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm leftovers gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until hot. If reheating from frozen, let it thaw overnight in the fridge before warming. Add a splash of beef broth or water if needed to loosen the sauce.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef for Crock Pot Beef Stew?

Absolutely! While stew meat is convenient, any boneless beef roast (like chuck or round) cut into cubes will turn deliciously tender after a long, slow cook in the crock pot.

Do I have to peel the potatoes?

Peeled potatoes make for a smoother texture, but you can leave the skins on if you prefer a more rustic, earthy feel. Just be sure to scrub them well before chopping.

What can I substitute for cream of celery soup?

If you don’t have cream of celery soup, cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup are good substitutes. For a dairy-free option, try a thickened homemade vegetable soup base.

Is it possible to cook Crock Pot Beef Stew on high?

Yes! If you’re pressed for time, you can cook the stew on high for about 4 to 5 hours, though the flavors and texture really shine best with the longer, slower cook on low.

Can I add other vegetables?

Definitely! Feel free to toss in sliced mushrooms, parsnips, peas, or diced rutabaga during the last hour of cooking for extra flavor and variety.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something cozy that’s low-effort but wildly satisfying, make a batch of Crock Pot Beef Stew this week. It’s one of those rare recipes that never goes out of style, and you’ll love having a pot bubbling away, ready to nourish and delight everyone at the table. Give it a try—you’ll see why it’s a forever favorite in my kitchen!

Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 12 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

This hearty and flavorful Crock Pot Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food. With tender beef, savory onion soup mix, and creamy celery soup, this stew is a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Onion Soup Mix:

2 packages (1 ounce each)

Paprika:

1/2 teaspoon

Beef Stew Meat:

2 pounds, or boneless beef roast, cut into 1-inch pieces

Potatoes:

5 medium, peeled and diced

Baby Carrots:

2 to 3 cups

Yellow Onion:

1 small, chopped

Cream of Celery Soup:

2 cans (10 ounces each)

Ketchup (or Tomato Sauce):

1 cup

Instructions

Coat Meat: In a large plastic bag, combine the dry onion soup mix and paprika. Add meat, shake to coat.
Layer Ingredients: Spread the seasoned meat in a greased crock pot. Top with potatoes, carrots, and onion.
Mix Soup and Ketchup: Combine cream of celery soup and ketchup. Pour over the meat and vegetables.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours until meat is tender. Stir before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooked
Cuisine: American