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Cozy 1970s Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe

1970s crockpot beef stew - featured image

A classic, easy-to-make crockpot beef stew with tender beef, hearty vegetables, and rich broth that delivers nostalgic comfort food perfect for cozy nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 4 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and cubed
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour/cornstarch for gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper. Toss the beef in the flour until evenly coated.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches, about 3–4 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion and celery for 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  4. Transfer browned beef and sautéed vegetables into the crockpot. Add sliced carrots and cubed potatoes on top.
  5. Stir together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Pour over the beef and vegetables. Stir gently to combine.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
  7. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaves.
  8. If stew is too thin, whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, stir into crockpot, and cook on high for 15 minutes to thicken.

Notes

Browning the beef before slow cooking adds a rich caramelized flavor and better texture. Avoid lifting the crockpot lid during cooking to keep heat and moisture locked in. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or cornstarch. You can prep ingredients ahead to save time. Adjust salt carefully as broth and Worcestershire sauce add saltiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, crockpot recipe, comfort food, slow cooker, easy dinner, 1970s recipe, hearty stew, family meal