I would say this is the perfect cozy fall or winter meal, and it is! But after making this pot roast/ beef stew recipe for years upon years, it’s really a great meal all year long for the busy mom, for hosting a crowd, or for anyone craving something hearty and delicious. It’s a great meal to bring to a new mom or a friend in need of comfort. Heck, the leftovers even freeze well. What I’m saying is, this is one of those meals that is a solid win and needs to be printed in your kitchen recipe notebook or at the very least, pinned or bookmarked.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
With hearty chunks of potatoes, tender carrots, savory onions, and meat that falls apart with a fork, this will quickly become one of your go-to comfort foods.
When I get busy, I try to keep it simple by getting out the slow cooker. I use my multi-function Instant Dutch Oven as a slow cooker, which makes browning the meat a streamlines process, but it’s not required for this recipe. Crockpots are great for all seasons, perfect for putting together healthy, delicious and filling meals that don’t require me to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
Have you seen my epic list of healthy, kid-approved crockpot meals?
It truly does not get any easier than this simple and delicious slow cooker beef stew. It’s hearty and wholesome; a meal that the whole family enjoys.
Beef Stew Crock Pot Ingredients
Meat
You can make this two ways: One, using a traditional chuck roast. For that method, let it cook all day and shred it about 30 minutes before serving. However, the second method has quickly become our family’s favorite. It’s more of a beef stew take on the recipe because I cut the meat into cubes (or you can purchase beef stew meat which is already cubed) prior to adding it to the slow cooker which creates bite sized, super tender meat- perfect for kids.
Potatoes
I prefer using Yukon gold potatoes, but you can swap them for little red potatoes or even russet potatoes cut into large chunks. I don’t recommend sweet potatoes for this recipe.
Carrots
I add extra when I make this dish because my youngest loves them, so adjust as needed. If you prefer your carrots less tender, wait and add those about half way through the cooking time instead of at the beginning.
Onions
Quartered for big, flavorful slices. Add more or less depending on your preferences.
Spice Packet
This makes prep fast and easy. I prefer using the Simply Organic Brown Gravy Packet because of it’s simple and clean ingredient list and delicious, deep flavor.
Cream of Mushroom Soup
I like to use Pacific Foods’ Organic Cream of Mushroom soup because of their simple ingredient lists. However, I’ve also had success using cream of chicken soup, too.
A couple notes to read through and consider before you get started:
- This meal needs to cook for a long time, so if you choose low, make sure it gets at least 10 hours of cook time. If not, use the cook on high option for 6-8 hours. Do you like to eat early in the evening? You might want to consider setting up and starting the dish before you even go to bed the night before. It’s a tough dish to overcook, so it’s better to err on that side and switch your slow cooker to keep warm if necessary, rather than having to crank it up later on when you feel it needs more time to cook.
- For even more of a deep flavor, try adding a bay leaf or two at the beginning, a splash of dry red wine or a couple teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce.
- You can add whole mushrooms for a nutrient boost. Add these in during the last hour of cooking.
- For an additional pop of color and sweet flavor, add in frozen peas during the last hour of cook time.
- If you want it to be more soup like for serving over rice or in a bowl, add beef broth before you cover and cook it. If you want it thicker, add a few tablespoons of all purpose flour and give it a good stir while it cooks the last hour. This will give it even more of a gravy consistency.
- Depending on which packet and cream soup you use, you’ll need to adjust the final product with salt and pepper to fit your preferences. All the packets contain different amounts of sodium and other flavors, so my advice is to save the extra seasoning until the end and you’ve had a chance to taste it.
- A sprinkle of fresh parsley tops off the dish nicely visually and flavor-wise. If you have a heat lover, serve with a splash of hot sauce.
- Warm dinner rolls and butter make an excellent companion to serve with beef stew. My go to roll recipe. The kids especially love using these to soak up all the remaining juices and gravy of their meal.
- Tweak it however you like to fit your preferences; the main staples will guarantee this crock pot beef stew is a success!
I hope you and your loved ones enjoy this cozy and hearty meal as much as we do. It’s like a hug on a fork! If you try it and like it, I really appreciate you leaving a five star review. Enjoy!
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Easy Beef Stew in the Slow Cooker
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: dinner, recipes
- Cuisine: dinner
Description
This delicious and comforting easy beef stew in the slow cooker takes less than 10 minutes to prep, all day to cook and make your house smell amazing, and no time at all to devour.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs stew meat, cubed
- 1 packet Simply Organic dried gravy mix
- 1 can Pacific Foods cream of mushroom soup
- 2 large onions, quartered
- 4–5 Yukon gold potatoes, large diced
- 3/4 lb (6-8 large) carrots, cut into 1–2 inch sized pieces
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Add meat to the slow cooker and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Add chopped onions, potatoes, and carrots.
- Add gravy mix and cream of mushroom soup.
- Mix well to coat all the ingredients.
- Cover and set to low for 12 hours or high for 6-8 hours.
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family says
I LOVE crock-pot pot roast. NOM.
Karen says
I love crockpot taco chili and think that or Panera Mac & Cheese are my two comfort foods…YUM!!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
I love how easy and delicious pot roast is! I haven’t made it in ages, mostly because I just forget about it, so thanks for the reminder. It makes for a great fall dinner!
Maria says
Like I mentioned on Twitter, I used my slow cooker to make beef stew, which is essentially the sister of pot roast in my opinion 🙂 I cook so much more in the fall/winter because soups, stews, and comfort food are so easy to throw together and the best way for me to get my veggies.
Tawny says
I love using my slow cooker in the colder months! It always makes the house feel so cozy. Might have to give this recipe a try! Thanks for posting!
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
I’ve actually never had pot roast!
Nicole @ FruitnFitness says
I love pot roasts, such a wonderfully satisfying meal that takes no time at all to prepare. My boyfriend and I made one on Sunday and one of the best part of pot roasts is usually the leftovers!
Gcroft says
Looks good, a big, warm hug in a bowl is what I call this.
Courtney @ Don't Blink. Just Run. says
That looks amazing! I bet it is so delicious. My favorite comfort food would be my grandmother’s mealoaf with mashed potatoes.
Cat says
Ooh putting soup mix in! Why haven’t I tried this yet!? I’m still new to slow-cooking but I’m learning! Last weekend I made oxtail stew and it’s been fuelling me all week – next time, I’m getting me some chuck and soup mix!
Amy says
Just put this up in my crockpot!! House already smells amazing 🙂
Kate @ Indulgent Wellness says
I am totally going to do pot roast your way next time. I always put the veggies in with the meat from the start (per the recipes that I had on hand) and I wasn’t thrilled with the way they turned to total mush by the end of the long cook time. This way makes so much sense…veggies get cooked and still impart some flavor, but retain their veggie-like shape. thx!
Neil Butterfield says
Pot roast is one of my favorite home cooked meals.
Brianne says
Working women must also maintain a proper diet plan with
the workouts in order to remain wholesome.
Jennifer says
Yum! I made this for dinner last night. Simple and delicious. I served mine over mashed potatoes, instead of putting the potatoes in. My whole family loved it. Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
Hope you enjoy it!! If you like your veggies more firm, you can add them about 1/2 way through instead of at the beginning. Either way- we love it!
Allison Phrey says
Do you add any water to the recipe? Like say a can of water from the mushroom soup or the water you would normally add to the gravy packet mix? Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
I rinsed the mushroom soup can with a little water to get it all out, but that’s it. The meat and vegetables cooking down provided enough moisture for a delicious, thick stew. If you’d like it to turn out a little more soupy, adding a little water or broth would work just fine though!
Bethany Myers says
A great recipe. I got a slow cooker recently, but I haven’t tried making stews in it yet. I cooked a few rice dishes so far. I love a hearty stew in the winters. I am going to make this as soon as climacell weather on my phone tells me the rains are gonna stop and the weather is getting chilly. Or if I cant wait that long, I am making it during the weekend.
Emily says
This has become our Go-to stew. So easy, so tasty. I make a loaf of crusty bread to sop up the gravy afterwards. Mmmmmm
Brittany Dixon says
I’m so glad it’s a winner for you; thank you for your review!
Erin says
I’d love to try this! But any options for gravy mix and the mushroom soup? Food allergies at this house and I have to make gravy/dairy free soup to go in. Thank you in advance for your tips!
Brittany Dixon says
Hi Erin! Food allergies can be so tough. I’m sorry I don’t know enough about them to offer suggestions. Is there a dairy free spice packet that you could use? If so, you could make it without the mushroom soup (sub broth). It might not be as creamy, but still good!
Elizabeth Davies says
Mmm, this looks delicious! The days are slowly getting chillier here, and I can’t wait for all the comfort foods!
wonderfulcook says
I made this beef stew for dinner last night and it was the bomb! The beef was quite tender! I am so happy with the flavor of this dish. It will definitely become one of our family’s favorite recipes. Thank you!
Brittany Dixon says
Thanks so much for the review; I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Sea says
I’m feeling like a dummy. Do I just sprinkle the gravy powder on or prepare the gravy per instrux and pour on? I sprinkled it on and thought it was wrong so poured a cup of water on top. Hope I didn’t ruin it
Brittany Dixon says
It’s hard to ruin so I’m sure it is just fine! You just need to sprinkle on the powder though; easy peasy!
Katie says
Can you use frozen stew meat??
Brittany Dixon says
Yes, you can. Just make sure it has plenty of hours to cook!
Kathryn says
Do you think the leftovers will freeze well?
Brittany Dixon says
Yes, I think they’d freeze well!