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Home Slow Cooker Recipes

Healthy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

By: Olivia Updated: 1/9/23
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Cozy, delicious and rich, this gluten-free Healthy Slow Cooker Beef Stew is loaded with potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms alongside tender, melt in your mouth beef. It’s paleo friendly as well!

The slow cooker is such a life saver. I love how you can start a recipe when you have time and then let it go throughout the day while you do other things and by dinner time, you’ve got a delicious meal waiting for you.

Also try my other stew recipes such as: Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (Whole30 & Paleo), Turnip and Carrot Slow Cooker Beef Stew, Easy Instant Pot Chicken Stew and Healthier Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe.

Healthy slow cooker beef stew inside of a black slow cooker.

While you can skip browning the meat in your pan, I really recommend this step. It only takes a couple of minutes and then the slow cooker does the rest of the work for you. When you brown the beef, it caramelizes the outside of the meat and give your stew a richer flavour once it’s done. Trust me on this one!

The best part about this healthy slow cooker beef stew is that there is enough that there is always leftovers and boy does this stew taste even better when it is reheated. You can even meal prep this so you get a warm cozy stew at work for lunch throughout the week. Stew, like my Cabbage and Sausage Stew, is such a great make-ahead and freezer meal!

Want more slow cooker recipes? Try my Easy Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe, Easy Whole30 Pumpkin Chili Recipe, or my Slow Cooker Chicken and Sweet Potato.

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How to Make this Healthy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Ingredients

  • Beef chuck roast — cut into 2-inch chunks.
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Gluten-free all-purpose flour — or arrow flour for Paleo and Whole30
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • White onion — chopped
  • Garlic cloves — minced
  • Tomato paste — this gives really helps build the layers of flavours
  • Worcestershire Sauce — a small amount goes a long way in helping build flavour as well.
  • Carrot — cut into 2-inch chunks.
  • Yukon Gold potatoes — diced into 2-inch pieces.
  • Low-sodium beef broth
  • Bay leaves
  • Peas — fresh or frozen works.
  • Fresh chopped parsley — for garnish

Instructional step by step photo of browning the beef for the stew and then sauting the ingredients.

Instructions

Prepare the Beef to Brown

  1. In a large bowl, pat beef dry with a paper towel. Season with salt, pepper and flour.
  2. Add olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. When the skillet is hot enough add the meat and sear on all sides until golden brown. It will take about 5-10 minutes. Transfer the meat to the slow cooker.
  4. In the same skillet, add onions and garlic and if necessary add a little bit more of olive oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Scrape the pan with a wooden spoon to get all browned meat bits. Add tomato paste and Worcestershire Sauce. Mix everything well.

Cook the Healthy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

  1. Transfer it to the slow cooker
  2. Add remaining ingredients (don’t add the fresh parsley) to the slow cooker. Give a good stir and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Close the slow cooker and cook on high for 5 hours or on low for 8 hours.
  4. Remove the bay leaves, stir in the peas, and garnish with parsley before serving.

Overhead image of ingredients for the beef stew being adding to the slow cooker before cooking.

Tips and Notes for This Healthy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

  • Did you know you could freeze tomato paste? I find that I always open a can of tomato paste and then it ends up in my fridge for a while and somethings end up going bad because the recipe doesn’t use the whole can. Freeze it and thaw it whenever you need some!
  • It might be tempting to get stew beef for beef stew (I mean, it’s called stew meat), I really recommend you get chuck roast and then cutting it yourself so all your meat is similar in size and the same type of meat!
  • Don’t be tempted to skip the bay leaf! The bay leaves add a lighter note to the healthy slow cooker beef stew and helps the other flavours shine. It’s a small step and a single ingredient but it does a lot.
  • I find that the longer the stew simmers on low, the more tender the beef becomes. For melt in your mouth beef, I like to cook it on low for 8 hours.
  • Avoid opening the slow cooker while your beef stew is still cooking. This releases the heat that was built up and it’ll take time to re-built all that lost heat and your beef stew might not turn out as great as intended.
  • Everything is cut into 2 inch chunks so they can cook evenly in the slow cooker together. If you cut them into larger chunks or smaller chunks, you’ll have to adjust the cooking time.
  • To make Paleo or Whole30 friendly use arrow flour.

White bowl with healthy slow cooker beef stew inside.

Storing, Reheating, and Freezing Tips

  • Store all leftovers in an airtight container inside of your fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Leftovers can be quickly reheated in the microwave or you can reheat it by simmering it on the stovetop. Simmering it on the stovetop to reheat might make your beef stew thicker but I think that’s a great bonus side effect.
  • You can freeze leftovers in freezer bags for up to 4 months. Be sure to thaw in the fridge beforehand and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Serving Ideas

Here are some great recipes to go with your healthy slow cooker beef stew!

  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
  • Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
  • Easy Roasted Vegetables Recipe

Watch the Healthy Slow Cooker Beef Stew Web Story.

Did you make a recipe? Tag @primaverakitchen on Instagram so we can find you!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Healthy slow cooker beef stew inside of a black slow cooker.
3.95 from 38 votes

Healthy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Cozy, delicious and rich, this gluten-free Healthy Slow Cooker Beef Stew is loaded with potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms alongside tender, melt in your mouth beef. It's paleo friendly as well!
Prep: 10 minutes minutes
Cook: 5 hours hours
Total: 5 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 people
Print Rate Email

Ingredients

  • 2 lb. beef chuck roast  cut into 2-inch chunks.
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour or arrow flour for Paleo and Whole30
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup white onion chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/3 cup tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 cup carrot cut into 2-inch chunks.
  • 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes diced into 2-inch pieces.
  • 1 3/4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 cup peas
  • Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, pat beef dry with a paper towel. Season with salt, pepper and flour.
  • Add olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot enough add the meat and sear on all sides until golden brown. It will take about 5-10 minutes. Transfer the meat to the slow cooker.
    overhead view of a cast iron skillet containing steak bites
  • In the same skillet, add onions and garlic and if necessary add a little bit more of olive oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Scrape the pan with a wooden spoon to get all browned meat bits. Add tomato paste and Worcestershire Sauce. Mix everything well. Transfer it to the slow cooker.
    overhead view of sautéed onions in a cast iron skillet
  • Add remaining ingredients (don’t add the fresh parsley) to the slow cooker. Give a good stir and season with salt and pepper to taste.
    beef stew ingredients inside of a black slow cooker bowl.
  • Close the slow cooker and cook on high for 5 hours or on low for 8 hours.
    Healthy slow cooker beef stew inside of a black slow cooker bowl.
  • Remove the bay leaves, stir in the peas, and garnish with parsley before serving.
    Healthy slow cooker beef stew inside of a white bowl.

Tips

  • For the best flavour and texture, I recommend you get chuck roast instead of stew meat. 
  • Avoid opening the slow cooker to check on the stew. Opening the lid releases the heat that was built up and it’ll take time to re-built all that lost heat.
  • Make sure to cut the chuck roast into even pieces. If they are larger or smaller than 2-inch chunks, you'll have to adjust the timing. 
  • To store: Store leftover beef stew in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. 
  • To reheat: You can reheat the stew in the microwave or on the stovetop. 
  • To freeze: Freeze leftover stew in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat before enjoying. 

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/6 Calories: 418kcal (21%) Carbohydrates: 16g (5%) Protein: 32g (64%) Fat: 18g (28%) Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 3g Cholesterol: 64mg (21%) Sodium: 368mg (16%) Potassium: 305mg (9%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 4g (4%)

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.

© Author: Olivia Ribas

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  1. Sues says

    Posted on 1/30/17 at 9:29 pm

    Yum yum!! I can only imagine how delicious your house smelled with this in the slow cooker for hours. Makes for a super happy winter!

    Reply
  2. Julia says

    Posted on 2/1/17 at 11:41 am

    This stew is my dream come true! I’ve made stew using a whole bottle of red wine a few years ago and there was just nothing like it! I’ll have to try this crock pot methodology and am SO game for the thick and hearty consistency. I have to give you a major pat on the back for your gorgeous photos…stew is hardly photogenic and you made it sooo mouth-watering!

    Reply
  3. Lisa says

    Posted on 1/15/18 at 6:48 pm

    I made this but left the crushed tomatoes out and used venison… also left celery and parsley out as husband doesn’t care for those.  He said it was the best stew he’d ever eaten (I previously made a deer meat bourguignon and a regular ‘beef stew’ w/deer meat and he liked this recipe best). I don’t like/eat meat so I can’t personally comment. 

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      Posted on 1/16/18 at 7:44 pm

      Lisa, thanks for stopping by and leaving your feedback. Happy to hear your husband enjoyed this recipe. It’s our favourite stew recipe too 😉

      Reply
  4. Diana says

    Posted on 9/11/18 at 11:22 am

    I want to try this recipe this week, looks delicious! I’d prefer to not have to use a slow cooker, any tips on best ways to make this recipe without one? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      Posted on 9/13/18 at 10:09 pm

      Sure. Here is how you can do. After you sear the meat and add all the ingredients to a large pot, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes.

      Reply
  5. betty says

    Posted on 8/14/19 at 7:14 pm

    Nutritional info?!?!?! I am so sick of recipes that do not include nutritional info – especially ones that are under titles of healthier recipes.

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:38 pm

      Soon it’ll be added on the recipe box. Thanks.

      Reply
  6. Deborah says

    Posted on 10/17/20 at 12:21 am

    I haven’t not made this yet but wanted to ask what cut of beef was used for this recipe?

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      Posted on 11/10/20 at 7:41 pm

      The cut of beef is from the large shoulder of a cow, which is called “chuck”.

      Reply
  7. Robbie says

    Posted on 2/18/21 at 4:18 pm

    Thanks for all the inspiring recipes, Olivia.
    Would just like to point out that potatoes do not freeze well. They become ‘mealy’ when thawed. If I plan on making enough to freeze I omit the potatoes and serve it over mashed potatoes. Changes it up a little and freezes better. Shoulder or chuck roast is usually cheaper than ‘stew meat’ too! Good tip.

    Reply
  8. Beck and Bulow says

    Posted on 2/12/22 at 8:26 am

    This is absolutely WONDERFUL. I did just as the recipe instructed, but I cooked the beef in the crock pot. If you haven’t tried this recipe, you are missing out, Adding this to my favorite recipes.

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      Posted on 2/12/22 at 7:01 pm

      So happy to hear that. Thanks for your comment!

      Reply
      • Karen says

        Posted on 2/5/23 at 10:18 am

        Not sure why the ingredients on the Yummly first page don’t match the ingredients totally when you click on the directions. A little confusing, so I winged it. It’s cooking now. Hopefully it comes out okay.

        Reply
        • Olivia says

          Posted on 2/11/23 at 7:30 pm

          Not sure why this is happening either. Sorry about that.

          Reply

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