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beef and porkeasy

Costco Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Costco beef stew meat slow-cooked all day into a thick, hearty, deeply flavored stew — fork-tender beef, root vegetables, and a rich red wine broth that fills the house with the best smell.

Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
8 hr
Servings
8
Cost / Serving
$2.25

Quick Answer

Sear Costco stew meat, add to the slow cooker with onions, carrots, potatoes, Worcestershire, red wine, and beef broth, and cook on low for 8 hours. The long simmer is what makes the meat fork-tender. Total 8+ hours mostly hands-off; eight servings.

Costco sells pre-cut beef stew meat that goes directly from the package into the slow cooker with minimal prep. The key to great beef stew is browning the meat first (10 minutes on the stovetop) and using a small amount of red wine or Worcestershire sauce for depth. After 8 hours on low, the beef is falling-apart tender and the broth is thick and intensely savory.

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat beef cubes dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Dust lightly with flour and toss to coat.

  2. 2

    Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until a deep crust forms. Don't crowd the pan — brown in two batches. Transfer to the slow cooker.

  3. 3

    In the same skillet, cook onion 3 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste, cook 1 minute. Add wine or extra broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.

  4. 4

    Pour the onion mixture over the beef in the slow cooker. Add potatoes, carrots, celery, beef broth, Worcestershire, soy sauce, thyme, and bay leaf.

  5. 5

    Cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours until the beef is completely tender and the vegetables are soft.

  6. 6

    Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning — add more salt, Worcestershire, or pepper as needed.

  7. 7

    Serve in deep bowls with crusty bread. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip browning the beef for slow cooker stew?+
You can, but the stew will taste noticeably less complex. The Maillard reaction from browning creates hundreds of flavor compounds that slow cooking alone can't replicate. The 10 minutes it takes is worth it. At minimum, brown just the beef — you can skip sautéing the onions if short on time.
Why is my slow cooker beef stew broth watery?+
Slow cookers trap all moisture — nothing evaporates. For a thicker stew, coat the beef in flour before browning (as in this recipe), or whisk 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water and stir into the stew in the last 30 minutes on HIGH.
What potatoes are best for slow cooker beef stew?+
Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape best during long slow cooking and have a creamy, buttery texture. Russets tend to break down after 8 hours and can make the stew starchy. Red potatoes are also good — they stay firm longest.
Can I add frozen vegetables to slow cooker beef stew?+
Add frozen vegetables in the last 1–2 hours of cooking, not at the start. Frozen peas, corn, or green beans become mushy if cooked for 8 hours. Add them at the end when cooking on LOW, or use them as a last 30-minute addition on HIGH.
How long does beef stew last in the fridge?+
Beef stew keeps well for 4–5 days refrigerated and actually tastes better the next day as the flavors deepen. It also freezes well for up to 3 months — potatoes may change texture slightly after freezing, but the flavor is excellent.

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