This Healthier Slow Cooker Beef Stew is a simple yet hearty dish, packed with tender beef, potatoes, carrots, turnips, parsnips, and flavorful herbs. Perfect for a comforting, wholesome meal!
This Healthier Slow Cooker Beef Stew is definitely one of my ultimate comfort foods, especially during the winter months. To be honest, I think I could have my Healthy Slow Cooker Red Wine Beef Stew and Turnip and Carrot Slow Cooker Beef Stew for dinner every night from November until March and be perfectly content.
I am lucky that my husband can eat these three recipes all the time during the winter season, too! When it is so cold outside, I guess there is nothing better than a comforting bowl of stew, chili, or soup to warm up. I also love to make this stew because of the aroma it brings to my home. It is so welcoming and delicious!!
I named this recipe Healthier Slow Cooker Beef Stew because by adding more vegetables, such as turnips and parsnips, and using reduced-sodium beef broth, I made this recipe a little lighter for my family.
The other thing I did to make this recipe even better was that I didn’t add flour to the stew. I know the traditional slow cooker beef stew recipe calls for whisking 2 tablespoons of flour with 2 tablespoons (25 mL) of water, stirring it into the stew, and then cooking it for a few minutes until thickened.
But I just didn’t think it was necessary for me. I prepared it avoiding the added white flour, but if you prefer, about 30 minutes before serving, mix the flour and water together in a small dish and add it to the slow cooker. Mix until well combined.
I also browned the meat before putting it into the slow cooker because it adds depth to the flavor that you simply can’t achieve just by letting it boil away in the cooker. Please do not skip this step. I guarantee that your slow cooker beef stew will taste much better if you brown the meat.
Got extra carrots in the first? Try my Carrot Parsnip Soup!
More slow cooker recipes to try:
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Sweet Potato: This recipe only requires 6 ingredients, 10 minutes to prep, and it is an easy meal-prep recipe for during the week!
- Ultra-easy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili: Add the ingredients, and let the slow cooker do the rest.
- Morning Slow Cooker Omelet: Make this omelet ahead with eggs, almond milk, bell pepper, onions, ham, and cheese.
- Super Easy Slow Cooker Chili: This is one of the easiest slow cooker chili recipes you will ever make. And, it’s packed with beans, veggies, and spices.
- Slow Cooker Zucchini Lasagna: This is going to become your favorite lasagna recipe. It’s low-carb and gluten-free. This is a great hearty meal for dinner.
See below for how to make Healthier Slow Cooker Beef Stew:
Healthier Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Video
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 cups carrots cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 celery ribs chopped
- 2 medium red potatoes cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 turnips cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 parsnip cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 dried bay leaves
- 2 pounds beef stew meat cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped, for garnishing
Instructions
- Place the onions, carrots, celery, red potatoes, turnips, parsnips, tomato paste, beef broth, dried thyme, dried parsley, oregano, and dried bay leaves into a large slow cooker.
- Add the stew meat to a large bowl, and season liberally with salt and pepper. Toss the meat until it is fully coated, and set aside.
- Over medium heat, heat the olive oil in a skillet.
- Add the garlic, and sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add the meat, and let the beef cook without stirring for a few minutes to brown the meat on one side.
- Stir, and repeat until all sides of the beef pieces are browned.
- Add the browned beef to the slow cooker, and stir to combine with the vegetables.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker, and cook on high for 5 hours. After 5 hours, taste the stew, and adjust the salt if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- If you like beef stew recipes, you’ll love these two recipes: Healthy Turnip and Carrot Slow Cooker Beef Stew and Slow Cooker Red Wine Beef Stew.
- When browning the meat, you may have to do so in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.
- You can use low sodium beef broth if you’re worried about the sodium.
- Always brown the meat first as it adds a ton of flavour.
- To store: Store leftover beef stew in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- To reheat: You can reheat the stew in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- To freeze: Freeze leftover stew in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat before enjoying.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I love this Healthier Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe because you can make a great meal in the morning before leaving for work. When you return home, you won’t worry about what to make for dinner. On top of that, your kitchen will smell so good!! You can serve it hot as is or over a delicious bowl of rice. Enjoy!
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Taste more from 50 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes!
What a beautiful beef stew Olivia! I love all the root vegetables in there. Don’t you just love your slow cooker? Nothing better than coming home and your house smelling delicious.
This might be just what I need to help me get through the rest of this horrid winter!!
This is a gorgeous beef stew! I love all the veggies in there! YUM!
Ohhh this looks so comforting and perfect for winter! I love that you used parsnips – I find they’re so amazing in stew! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some beef I need to slow cook 😉
What a comforting and delicious stew! Sounds perfect to keep warm in this cold weather! Love that it’s made in the slow cooker too!
So I “thought” we were done with snow. But apparently March is a huge jerk and decided to bring some more snow our way…. i.e. I need this stew in my life immediately! It looks SO comforting and hearty!
i like to cook healhty food for my kids
Hope your kids enjoy this recipe 😉
I am allergic to tomatoes. Can I leave it out or is there a substitute?
Yes, I think you can leave it out 😉
I rarely comment, but this was delicious! Even better the second day. I’m making it again today and adding a few more ingredients (mushrooms, butternut squash) to make it even bigger meal, because leftovers were so good! I omitted dried thyme as I don’t like the flavor of it, but added dried basil in its place. It is amazing! Thank you!
So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks a lot for your comment 😉
Do You know the calories , fat , protein & fiber etc per serving?
Unfortunately I don’t know, but I am trying to install a calorie count on my blog this year. Thanks!
This looks so good. I’m needing to feed a group of 8 ladies. What were your portion sizes? Should I double it?
Yes, you should double it because this recipe is for 4 people only 😉
If i were to cook on low,how long should it take? Cant wait to try. 😊
It is about 6-7 hours!
Thank you, this turned out beautifully. Loved the wonderful sweetness of parsnips and turnips. Didn’t miss potatoes at all. I served this over a soft polenta.
Awesome! That’s a great idea to serve this over a soft polenta! Yummy!
I need a copy of the recipe so when the turnips come in l will have the recipe. I will be making this.
I’ve made this recipe a ton of times, it’s a crowd-pleaser each and every time! I’ve passed on the recipe to friends and family who have the same experience. Thank you so much for such an easy, delicious, perfect meal! <3
Hi, Olivia. I was surfing the net for healthy stew and came across your recipe. Thanks for sharing, would like to try it soon. However, since my family doesn’t include beef in our meal for religious reason, what adjustment do I need to make such as other suitable meat and herbs?
Thanks again, Olivia! 😊
I’ve never made this recipe without beef meat, but I think you can try pork meat or even chicken breast. Hope it helps 😉
Hello! I recently made this recipe in my new crockpot. It was my first time ever making stew: but let me say that my boyfriend and I just absolutely loved it. Although, on the first night (we ate it three nights in a row for dinner!) my boyfriend said there was a spice he didn’t want me to include next time, but after smelling all the spices he couldn’t pin point the spice. On the next night, after two more hours of cooking, he said the spice was gone or the flavors had came together, and he loved it.
Any idea which spice that would have been?
Thanks for the recipe!
Happy to know you both liked this recipe. I’m not sure about the spice but it may be the dried thyme.
I accidentally bought beef stock instead of chicken and was looking for a way to use it and came across this. It’s a great recipe! The spices add a really nice flavour and it’s hearty without feeling heavy!
Totally. Happy you enjoyed this recipe 😉
Hi Olivia!! I’m on weight watchers. Do you know how much is a serving size… like in cups??? Thank you, Kathy
Hi, Kathy. It’s about 2 cups. Thanks for asking.
Hi, looking forward to making this! I don’t have dried parsley. :(. Can I add another spice instead? Thanks!
Yes, you can add Italian Seasonings or even dried oregano. Or you can omit it if you prefer. Thanks for your questions.