Description

This Delicious Slow Cooker Garlic Beef & Potatoes recipe is a hearty and comforting meal perfect for busy days. Tender chunks of chuck roast are seared for flavor, then slow-cooked with Yukon Gold potatoes, carrots, onions, fresh garlic, and fragrant herbs in savory beef broth. The result is a rich, flavorful stew with melt-in-your-mouth beef and perfectly cooked vegetables, ideal for a cozy family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

2 lbs chuck roast (or sirloin/round roast), cut into 2-inch pieces

Vegetables

2 lbs Yukon Gold or red potatoes (or baby/sweet potatoes), chopped
2-3 carrots, sliced
1 onion, diced
4-6 cloves fresh garlic, minced (or 1/2-3/4 tsp garlic powder)

Liquids & Seasonings

4 cups beef broth (homemade or store-bought)
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Thyme or rosemary, to taste
Red pepper flakes, optional
1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Oil for searing (such as vegetable or olive oil)
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare the beef: Cut the chuck roast into 2-inch pieces, ensuring the pieces are relatively uniform for even cooking.
Sear the beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil. Sear the beef pieces on all sides until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side, to develop flavor.
Layer ingredients in slow cooker: Place the seared beef at the bottom of the slow cooker, then add chopped potatoes, sliced carrots, and diced onions on top.
Add garlic and seasonings: Mince the garlic and evenly sprinkle it over the meat and vegetables. Season generously with salt, pepper, thyme or rosemary, and optional red pepper flakes.
Add broth: Carefully pour the beef broth over all the ingredients in the slow cooker, ensuring the liquid covers the meat and vegetables.
Cook slowly: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours, or set to high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
Adjust seasoning and thicken sauce (optional): About 30 minutes before serving, taste the broth and adjust salt and pepper as needed. To thicken the sauce, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with a little water and stir it into the slow cooker, letting it cook until the sauce thickens.
Serve: Once fork-tender, ladle the beef and potatoes into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy your comforting slow cooker meal.

Notes

Searing the beef before slow cooking adds depth of flavor but can be skipped for a quicker prep; the texture might be slightly less rich.
You can substitute baby potatoes or sweet potatoes, but cooking times may vary slightly.
Adjust garlic amount based on your preference for garlic intensity.
If thicker gravy is preferred, cornstarch slurry is the best way to thicken the broth near the end of cooking.
Leftover stew keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days and flavors deepen when reheated.