Ingredients — 4–6 Servings
Beef
- 2 lb (900 g) beef chuck or stew meat, cut into 1½-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1½ cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp onion powder
For thickening
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp cold water
Optional
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Pat the beef cubes dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the beef in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until browned.
- Place the diced onion and optional mushrooms in the slow cooker.
- Add the browned beef and minced garlic.
- In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, and thyme.
- Pour the sauce over the beef.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the beef is very tender.
- Mix cornstarch with cold water to make a smooth slurry.
- Stir the slurry into the slow cooker during the last 15–20 minutes of cooking.
- Cook until the gravy thickens.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Serving ideas: mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or roasted vegetables.
Nut & Allergen Information
- Peanuts/tree nuts: None required.
- Soy: Soy sauce.
- Wheat/gluten: Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce may contain wheat/gluten depending on the brand.
- Dairy: None required.
- Corn: Cornstarch.
For allergies, check packaged sauce labels and cross-contact warnings.
Approximate Nutrition Per Serving
Based on 6 servings, without mashed potatoes:
- Calories: 400–480 kcal
- Protein: 40–45 g
- Carbohydrates: 10–14 g
- Fat: 20–27 g
- Fiber: 1–2 g
- Sodium: 700–1,000 mg
Values are approximate and depend on the beef cut and sauce brands.
Q&A
Q: Can I skip searing the beef?
Yes, but searing adds better browning and flavor.
Q: Can I use beef stew meat?
Yes. It works especially well for slow cooking.
Q: Can I make it without soy sauce?
Yes. Replace it with a little extra Worcestershire sauce or beef broth.
Q: How do I make the gravy thicker?
Add the cornstarch slurry near the end and cook until thickened.
Q: Can I add potatoes?
Yes. Add small potato pieces at the beginning with the beef and onion.
Q: How do I know the beef is done?
It should be very tender and easy to cut with a fork.
