I'm constantly searching for kitchen shortcuts, and this easy crock pot beef stew with onion soup mix is exactly that. Nothing surpasses a slow cooker’s ability to blend flavors and cook the beef and vegetables to perfect tenderness. This meal-in-one is ideal for busy weeknights; prep it days in advance, then just set it and forget on the day you want to serve it. Voila!
Why You'll Love It
- Less than 10 ingredients.
- Stew is a cozy, hearty, and comforting dish that's perfect on a cold winter day.
- It’s a simple and easy recipe to make, using a slow cooker and onion soup mix.
- The slow cooker does all the work, making it a great option for busy days.
- You can customize the recipe to your taste by adding your favorite vegetables or spices (check out the Substitutions and Variations section below).
Beef Stew Recipe Crock Pot Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this easy crock pot beef stew:
- Beef Stew Meat
- Vegetables: to keep this recipe as easy as possible I used a bag of baby carrots, bag of baby potatoes, an onion, and a bag of frozen peas. There are many ways you can vary this so check out the substitution ideas below.
- Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Onion Soup Mix: you can use a store-bought packet or make my easy homemade onion soup mix.
- Canned Tomato Paste
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Garnish (Optional): fresh parsley or sliced green onions can be used for garnish
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
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Substitutions and Variations
You can add or substitue ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Some options you might like:
- Make it spicy by adding hot sauce, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, sliced jalapeños, or pepperoncini.
- Other condensed cream soups may be used such as cream of celery, cream of golden mushroom, or cream of onion.
- Change the vegetables up to use what you have in the fridge or pantry. Examples: drained canned corn or green beans, frozen corn or green beans. Large potatoes can be cut up into bite sized pieces and used instead of baby potatoes. Whole carrots can be used in place of the baby cut carrots.
- Mushrooms may be added but they will add extra moisture to the stew.
- A can of diced tomatoes is really good and adds brightness (you do not need to drain). My favorite is fire-roasted diced tomatoes.
- Fresh or dried herbs can be added - my favorite are thyme and marjoram as well as a couple of bay leaves.
- A can of tomato soup can be substituted for the tomato paste - or omitted entirely and a can of diced tomatoes substituted or an additional can of cream of mushroom soup.
How To Make Beef Stew in a Crock Pot
This is intended as an overview only. For detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below. Enjoy!
1. Add the meat, carrots, onion, potatoes, onion soup mix (and any other herbs or seasonings you might be throwing in).
2. Whisk the soup and tomato paste together then stir into the stew.
3. Cover and cook on low 6 to 9 hours or until beef is very tender.
4. Stir in the frozen peas the last 30 to 45 minutes of cooking. Add salt and pepper to taste, and any other seasoning before serving.
How to Serve It
- Add salt and pepper. Adjust the seasoning.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or slice green onions if desired.
Meal idea! If you are looking for a little more, serve you cozy stew with a side of corn muffins, rolls, or crusty bread.
Kori's Tips
- You do not need to add liquid to the stew while it cooks. Enough moisture will build up in the slow cooker as it cooks throughout the day. With that said...
- Every time I make this, I get a variable amount of liquid built up in the crockpot. This has to do with how much moisture was in the beef and vegetables to start with and how long it actually cooked in the pot - so sometimes the stew is too thick, and other times it might be too runny.
- If it's too thick: dilute with water or broth.
- If it is too thin: whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch together with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir into the pot and stir. Turn the crock up to high and let it sit with the lid off for a few minutes to thicken.
- Meal prepping tip: potatoes can start to turn brown and discolor once cut. Try and use small baby potatoes that you can leave whole.
- Please feel free to adjust or add any seasoning and add salt and pepper to your taste preferences.
FAQ's
Transfer cooled beef stew to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months.
The quickest way is to reheat the stew in a microwave-safe dish on low power in a microwave, 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently. The exact timing will depend on your portion size and microwave, of course.
Yes, you can cook the stew on high for 4 hours, but it may not be as tender.
Yes, you can add or substitute ingredients to suit your taste. Please see the substitutions and variations section in the post above.
Recipe
Crock Pot Beef Stew with Onion Soup Mix
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 1 (16-ounce) bag baby carrots
- 1 medium to large onion (finely chopped)
- 1 (24-ounce) bag new baby potatoes (cut in half if needed, so they are bite-sized)
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup (cream of celery or a combination may be used)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 (10-ounce) bag frozen peas
- optional garnish: fresh parsley or sliced scallions
Instructions
- Add the meat, carrots, onion, potatoes, onion soup mix (and any other herbs or seasonings you might be throwing in).
- Whisk the soup and tomato paste together then stir into the stew.
- Cover and cook on low 6 to 9 hours or until beef is very tender.
- Stir in the frozen peas the last 30 to 45 minutes of cooking. Addd salt and pepper to taste, and any other seasoning before serving.
Notes
- Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
- VARIATIONS:
- Optional ad-ins: 1 teaspoon of dried thyme and marjoram.
- Drained canned sweet corn or green beans. Add in when the peas are added.
- TIPS: If the stew is too thick after cooking, dilute with water or broth. If it is too thin whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch together with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir into the pot and stir. Turn the crock up to high and let it sit with the lid off for a few minutes to thicken.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Garnish with fresh chopped tomatoes, minced dill or chives, and additional cheese if desired. If you like a crunchy topping - crumble french fried onions, crushed potato chips, or crumbled ritz crackers over the top.
Nutrition
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