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Easy 5-Ingredient Crockpot Beef Stew with Red Wine

easy 5-ingredient crockpot beef stew with red wine - featured image

A quick and easy 5-ingredient crockpot beef stew with red wine that delivers deep, rich flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, this set-it-and-forget-it recipe uses simple ingredients to create a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 to 2 pounds beef stew meat (chuck or round, cut into 1.5-inch cubes)
  • 1 cup dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Malbec)
  • 1.5 cups baby carrots
  • 1.5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, halved or quartered
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional)
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme (optional)
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the stew meat dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
  2. Place the halved potatoes and baby carrots in the bottom of the crockpot.
  3. Scatter the seasoned beef cubes over the vegetables.
  4. Pour the red wine and beef broth over everything. The liquid should come about halfway up the ingredients.
  5. If using, tuck thyme sprigs and bay leaf into the liquid. Add tomato paste if desired. Give everything a gentle stir.
  6. Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours. The stew is ready when the beef shreds easily with a fork and the potatoes are soft.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, taste the broth and adjust salt and pepper as needed. For a thicker broth, mash a few potatoes against the side of the pot and stir.
  8. Ladle the stew into bowls, ensuring each serving gets a good mix of beef, potatoes, and carrots. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For best results, use a dry red wine you’d drink, not cooking wine. Season the beef generously before cooking. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain temperature. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, crockpot, slow cooker, red wine, easy, 5-ingredient, comfort food, weeknight dinner