This Simple Beef Stew recipe is made with stew meat, mixed veggies, onions and garlic, broth, and herbs of your choosing! Prepared in the slow cooker, this paleo stew recipe is a “set it and forget it” kind of meal. It’s the perfect comfort food dinner recipe the whole family will enjoy! {Paleo}

Beef Stew with tomatoes and cauliflower in a white porcelain mug with silverware, fresh thyme, and a black, gray, and white napkin to the side.

Friends, it’s officially winter, which means I’m layered up in sweatshirts, heavy socks, and various bathrobes throughout the day. It also means I’m slow cooking everything I can get my hands on. Warm, comforting stews are my jam during cold midwestern months. And this Simple Beef Stew is just the ticket for an easy, healthy comfort food recipe.

In spite of how simple the ingredient list is, the overall flavor is hearty, savory, and satisfying. Recipes don’t need to be complicated to boast a toothsome taste. Add your favorite veggies to your own Simple Beef Stew (whatever you have on hand will likely work well), pick a broth (suggestions in the next section and in the recipe card), and throw in some herbs, but only if you want to. When we say Simple Beef Stew, we mean it. Simple is the key. I added fresh thyme and bay leaves because I had them on hand. But you could just as easily add dried herbs or skip them altogether. Sea salt and pepper will carry the weight if you want them to.

If I were to describe this recipe in one phrase, I’d call it “old school.” This Simple Beef Stew is uncomplicated, unassuming, and utterly delicious. We inhaled every last drop within 24 hours. Because that’s how our family rolls. If you’re rolling the same way as we are, then grab your slow cooker and let’s get going!

Beef stew ingredients, including stew meat, carrots, cauliflower, and tomatoes with bay leaves and thyme sprigs in a slow cooker.

SIMPLE BEEF STIR-FRY STEW INGREDIENTS:

Here are the ingredients to make your own Simple Beef Stew!

Stew meat. One pound. Add more, if desired.
Coconut oil. Divided. You’ll use coconut oil to sauté the stew meat and onion and garlic prior to slow cooking the stew.
Fresh onion and garlic. Sauté these prior to slow cooking for a rich, hearty flavor.
Broth. Homemade Vegetable Broth or Homemade Beef Broth.
Veggies. Carrots, cauliflower, tomatoes, and any other vegetables you want to include.
Bay leaves, fresh thyme sprigs, garlic salt, and onion salt. These are optional and to taste.
Sea salt and pepper. To taste.

HOW TO MAKE SIMPLE BEEF STIR-FRY STEW:

Below are the steps to prepare Simple Beef Stew!

In a skillet, combine the stew meat and two tablespoons coconut oil. Sauté the stew meat for about 3-5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Then, using a slotted spoon, transfer to the slow cooker.
In the same skillet, add the pressed garlic and sliced onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the onions are translucent and the garlic is browned but not burned. Transfer onions and garlic to the slow cooker and add the broth, vegetables, bay leaves, fresh herbs, garlic salt, and onion salt. Add sea salt and pepper, if desired.
Cook on LOW for 10 hours. Let cool and serve.
Refrigerate leftovers for about 3-4 days.

MORE HEARTY MEALS FOR DINNER!

If you’re scouring the internet for more hearty, healthy stews, then you’ll like these!

Take care, Spiriteds. I hope you are well, and I’m glad you’re here. ❤️

Simple Beef Stew

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 hours
Total Time: 10 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Soups and Stews
Method: Slow Cooker
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound stew meat
1/4 cup coconut oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 onion, sliced or diced (any color)
1 1/4 cup Homemade Vegetable Broth or Homemade Beef Broth
2 cups carrots (I used baby carrots and left them whole)
2 cups cauliflower florets
1 cup grape tomatoes
2 bay leaves, optional
Handful of fresh thyme sprigs, optional
1/2 teaspoon EACH garlic salt and onion salt, optional
Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

In a skillet, combine the stew meat and two tablespoons coconut oil. Sauté the stew meat for about 3-5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Then, using a slotted spoon, transfer to the slow cooker.
In the same skillet, add the pressed garlic and sliced onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the onions are translucent and the garlic is browned but not burned. Transfer onions and garlic to the slow cooker and add the broth, vegetables, bay leaves, fresh herbs, garlic salt, and onion salt. Add sea salt and pepper, if desired.
Cook on LOW for 10 hours. Let cool and serve.
Refrigerate leftovers for about 3-4 days.

Notes

For best results, cook on LOW. This helps ensure the stew meat remains tender and juicy.
When transferring the stew meat and onion sand garlic from the skillet to the slow cooker, it’s entirely up to you how much of the coconut oil you want to transfer, too.