Easy 4-Ingredient Dump-and-Go Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe for Perfect Comfort Meals
A simple, hearty beef stew made with just four ingredients, perfect for busy days when you want a comforting, home-cooked meal with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 to 8 hours on LOW or 4 to 5 hours on HIGH
- Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes to 8 hours 10 minutes (LOW) or 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1.5 pounds baby potatoes, whole or halved if large
- 1 packet (1.25 ounces) onion soup mix
- 3 cups beef broth
Instructions
- Trim and prepare the beef by cutting into 1 to 1.5-inch cubes and trimming excess fat.
- Rinse baby potatoes and halve any larger than a golf ball; no peeling needed.
- Place beef chunks at the bottom of the crockpot, then spread baby potatoes on top.
- Sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly over the beef and potatoes.
- Pour 3 cups beef broth gently over the layered ingredients without stirring.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours until beef is tender and potatoes are soft but hold shape.
- Check doneness by piercing a potato with a fork; adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
Do not lift the lid during cooking to avoid heat loss. If stew is too thin, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water) during the last 15 minutes to thicken. For gluten-free, use a gluten-free onion soup mix or homemade seasoning. Optional to brown beef before slow cooking for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: beef stew, crockpot, slow cooker, easy dinner, comfort food, dump-and-go, baby potatoes, onion soup mix