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A comforting, budget-friendly dish featuring tender stew beef slow cooked in a rich, flavorful gravy with minimal prep and ten simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef stew meat
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1 packet dry onion soup mix (gluten-free option available)
  • 2 cups beef broth (gluten-free option available)
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (plus extra for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Remove stew meat from the package and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. If searing, heat butter or olive oil in a hot skillet and brown beef chunks on all sides; transfer browned beef to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
  3. Place beef chunks in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker (transfer seared beef now if applicable).
  4. In a bowl, whisk together salt, pepper, dried thyme, minced garlic, dry onion soup mix, beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch; pour the mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
  5. Add chopped onions and/or carrots to the slow cooker at the beginning if desired.
  6. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours.
  7. About halfway through cooking, add tender vegetables (such as mushrooms, green beans, or potatoes) and add extra beef broth if needed to maintain the liquid level.
  8. Near the end of cooking, whisk additional cornstarch into cold water until smooth, stir into the slow cooker, and cook about 10 more minutes to thicken the gravy.

Notes

Searing the beef before slow cooking adds extra flavor but is optional., Use gluten-free onion soup mix and beef broth for a gluten-free version; check labels to confirm., Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce before cooking to add spice., For extra flavor, add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar at the start of cooking., Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months., Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave; add a splash of broth or water to loosen thickened gravy if needed.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://margorecipes.com/slow-cooker-beef-tips-and-gravy/