This quick and easy beef stew recipe is my mom’s classic and truly one of the best beef stews you’ll ever taste. Every time I make it, the house fills with a comforting aroma and everyone asks for seconds. It’s simple enough for an ordinary weeknight but satisfying enough for a cozy family dinner. Use the stovetop or your crockpot—both methods produce a rich, flavorful stew that’s perfect for cold weather, busy days, or when you want a homestyle meal with minimal fuss.
This beef stew is warm, filling, and easy to prepare. It cooks down slowly to tenderize the beef and blend the flavors, giving you a thick, savory gravy that clings to the vegetables. It’s a family favorite that stores and reheats well, so it’s ideal for meal prep or using up leftovers. Kids and adults alike usually ask for this one again and again.
The recipe is versatile and forgiving. If you have leftover roast or any cooked beef, you can swap it in for the round steak. This makes the stew a great way to repurpose leftovers and stretch your grocery budget. The ingredients are common pantry staples, and the seasonings are straightforward, so you can easily adjust quantities to suit your taste.
Budget-friendly and customizable. The recipe is designed to be economical while still delivering great flavor. You can add or omit vegetables to match what you have on hand — extra carrots, celery, bell pepper, or even parsnips work well. If you prefer a meatier stew and don’t mind the extra cost, simply increase the beef amount. For a thicker gravy, add a little more cornstarch or flour at the end until you reach the desired consistency.
Use leftover vegetables to reduce waste. If you have leftover potatoes, carrots, or onions from another meal, this stew is an excellent way to incorporate them. Just chop and add them during the final cooking stages so they stay tender but not overcooked. This flexibility makes the recipe practical for busy households and seasonal cooking.
This quick and easy beef stew recipe is featured in our cookbook collection:
Quick And Easy Beef Stew Recipe – Crockpot Beef Stew
This easy beef stew makes a rich, comforting meal whether you simmer it on the stovetop or cook it slowly in a crockpot. It offers classic, home-cooked flavor and is an excellent way to use leftover beef such as round steak or pot roast. The simple seasonings come together to create a savory broth that highlights the tender meat and vegetables.
- Author: Jill Cooper
Ingredients
1/2 lb. round steak, cubed or leftover beef
6 cups water
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. garlic salt (or to taste)
1 tsp. onion salt (or to taste) or 1 onion, chopped
1/4 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
6 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 Tbsp. cornstarch or flour
2 Tbsp. water
Instructions
- Brown the cubed meat in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until the exterior is well-seared. This step builds flavor.
- Add all remaining ingredients except the vegetables, cornstarch, and the 2 tablespoons of water.
- Reduce heat and simmer gently for 1–2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the broth is flavorful.
- Add the carrots and diced potatoes to the pot.
- Cook for 15–20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender but not mushy.
- Stir the cornstarch (or flour) into 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry.
- Whisk the slurry into the boiling stew.
- Simmer for about 15 minutes, until the stew has thickened. This recipe makes approximately 2 quarts.
To Make This Beef Stew in a Crockpot
- Brown the meat briefly in a skillet; it does not need to be cooked through, just browned for extra flavor.
- Transfer everything to the crockpot and cook on low for about 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir it into the crockpot to thicken the stew. Cook until the desired consistency is reached.
Notes
- The recipe calls for round steak, but you can use other cuts of beef or leftover roast—both work well.
- This stew is an excellent way to use leftover roast beef or other cooked beef to create a fresh meal with minimal effort.
- Feel free to add leftover potatoes or extra vegetables during the final cooking stage to use what you have on hand.
- Serve this homemade stew with warm cornbread, soft dinner rolls, or any favorite side to complete the meal.