American
Traditional Slow-Cooker Beef Stew with Carrots, Potatoes, and Tomatoes
This is a straightforward old-school crockpot beef stew built from stew meat, carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, tomatoes, broth, and tapioca for body. The long low cook gives you fork-tender beef, soft vegetables, and a lightly thickened tomato-beef broth without any extra fuss.
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeHigh ProteinHigh CarbHigh VeggiesSlow-CookedMake AheadMeal Prep FriendlyComfort Food
At a Glance
- Time
- 8 hr 15 mins
- Serves
- 4
- Cost
- Low
- Cuisine
- American
- Dietary fit
- Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free
Instructions
- Add the beef stew meat, baby carrots, potatoes, onions, diced tomatoes, beef broth, celery, quick-cooking tapioca, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to a 3-quart slow cooker. Stir just enough to distribute the tapioca and seasonings through the liquid instead of leaving them in one spot.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours without lifting the lid more than necessary. The stew is ready when the beef is fork-tender, the potatoes and carrots are fully soft, and the broth has thickened lightly from the tapioca.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed before serving.
Adaptations
Easy Swap- Gluten-Free: Easy Swap Easy swap; see the adaptation note below.
- Dairy-Free: Works As Written Works as written; verify packaged ingredients as noted below.
- Vegetarian: Not Vegetarian Not adaptable; this recipe is built around meat, poultry, or seafood.
How to adapt: The stew is naturally dairy-free as written. For gluten-free, use a certified gluten-free Worcestershire sauce; the tapioca already thickens the broth without flour.