This slow cooker beef stew is incredibly easy, cozy, and perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays. The slow cooker does all the work while the beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender. If you love creamy beef stew, crockpot beef stew without tomatoes, comfort food slow cooker dinners, or easy beef noodle stew, this recipe is a must try.
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Julia's Why-You'll-Love-It List
♥ Creamy, savory flavor - Cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, and Worcestershire create a rich, comforting sauce without tomatoes.
♥ Perfect texture balance - Slow cooking makes the beef fork-tender while the silky sauce coats the egg noodles beautifully.
♥ Better than many restaurant versions - Less acidic, extra creamy, and full of slow-developed flavor.
Ingredients
- Beef chuck or stewing beef - This is the best cut for slow cooker beef stew because it becomes incredibly tender during long cooking. Chuck roast works especially well.
- Cream of mushroom soup - This creates the creamy base of the stew. It adds body and deep savory flavor. If you can find low-sodium cream of mushroom, it's worth it.
- Worcestershire sauce - A small amount adds huge flavor. It deepens the beef taste and adds umami.
- Sour cream - Stirred in at the end for richness and a gentle tang. This turns the stew into a creamy stroganoff-style dish.
- Egg noodles, mashed potatoes or rice for serving.
📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew (Step by Step)
- Add the beef and onion: Place the beef cubes and diced onion into the slow cooker. Spread them out slightly so the beef cooks evenly.
- Add the mushrooms: Scatter sliced mushrooms over the beef. They release moisture while cooking and deepen the savory flavor.
- Add the sauce ingredients: Add cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parsley. Stir gently until combined. The mixture will look thick. That's normal.
- Cover and cook:
Low: 6-8 hours
High: 4-5 hours
The stew is ready when the beef is very tender and easily breaks with a fork.
- Add sour cream: Stir in the sour cream during the last 15-30 minutes. Let it warm through until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Cook the noodles: Cook egg noodles according to package directions. Drain well.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy beef stew over the noodles and serve hot.
- The sauce should be thick, creamy, and glossy.
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Best Tips for Success
- Choose well-marbled beef. Chuck roast works best because the fat slowly melts during cooking and keeps the meat tender. Lean cuts often turn dry and tough.
- Brown the beef first if you have time. A quick 3-4 minute sear in a hot pan adds deeper flavor and makes the stew taste more "slow cooked."
- Cook on LOW for the most tender beef. The longer, gentler heat breaks down connective tissue better than cooking on high.
- Adjust seasoning at the end. Slow cooker meals sometimes taste flat until you add a final pinch of salt or black pepper.
- Shortcut tip - use pre-cut stew beef. It saves prep time and works perfectly in slow cooker recipes.
- For a silkier sauce, add extra sour cream or a splash of cream. This gives the stew a more restaurant-style texture.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy slow cooker beef stew pairs well with:
It's also delicious with homemade garlic bread or dinner rolls.
Don't Make These Mistakes
- Adding sour cream too early. This can cause curdling. Always stir it in at the end.
- Using lean beef. Lean cuts become dry in slow cooking.
- Overcooking noodles in the stew. Always cook noodles separately.
- Skipping seasoning adjustments. Slow cooker dishes often need a final salt taste.
Storing Leftovers
- To Store. Store the beef stew and noodles separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- To Freeze. Freeze the beef mixture only (without noodles) for up to 2 months.
- To Make Ahead. Make it ahead if you can. The flavors deepen overnight, and many people say it tastes even better the next day.
- To Reheat. Warm gently on the stovetop or microwave. Add a splash of broth or cream if the sauce thickens too much.
Bonus: Upgrade Variations
- Bold flavor twist: Add 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard with the sour cream for deeper flavor.
- Lighter option: Use light sour cream or Greek yogurt instead of regular sour cream.
- Restaurant inspired version: Add 1 tablespoon butter and extra mushrooms during cooking for a richer sauce.
- Family friendly version: Stir in a handful of frozen peas at the end for color and sweetness.
More Beef Dinners
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Recipe Card
THE BEST Slow Cooker Creamy Beef Stew
Ingredients
Method
- Add beef and onion: Place beef cubes and diced onion into the slow cooker.
- Add mushrooms: Add sliced mushrooms on top of the beef.
- Add sauce ingredients: Add cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parsley. Stir gently to combine.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on Low for 6-8 hours or High for 4-5 hours until the beef is fork tender.
- Add sour cream: Stir in sour cream during the last 15-30 minutes of cooking. Allow it to warm through.
- Cook noodles: Cook egg noodles according to package instructions and drain.
- Serve: Spoon the beef stew over noodles and serve hot.
- Enjoyed this recipe? Leave a quick 5-star rating and review to let me know!
Notes
- Cooking on LOW gives the most tender beef texture.
- Add sour cream at the end so the sauce stays smooth.
- Always cook noodles separately so they don't become mushy.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!On a beef kick lately? This one pot Beef and Veggie Dinner should be next on your list.
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
FAQs
Yes. This recipe uses a creamy mushroom base instead of tomato broth, making it richer and less acidic.
It's not recommended. They become overly soft. Cook them separately.
Chuck roast or stewing beef are the best choices because they become tender during long cooking.
Yes. Full-fat Greek yogurt works well and keeps the sauce creamy.
Fresh mushrooms are best for flavor, but frozen mushrooms can work in a pinch.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
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