If you’re craving a hearty, soul-satisfying meal that fills your home with irresistible aromas, this Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a wonderfully rich and comforting stew loaded with tender beef, savory pancetta, fresh vegetables, and aromatic Italian herbs, all slow-cooked to perfection. Whether you’re looking for an effortless dinner or a crowd-pleaser to warm everyone’s heart, this stew captures the essence of rustic Italian cooking with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step toward making this Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe a triumph. Each component brings its own magic—from the rich pancetta that adds smoky depth, to the fresh vegetables providing texture and natural sweetness, all tied together by the robust combination of wine and herbs.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided: Used to brown pancetta and beef for extra flavor and a beautiful sear.
- 2 ounces pancetta, diced small: Adds a savory, slightly smoky note that elevates the stew’s richness.
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced: For a subtle sweetness and vibrant color contrast.
- 1 large onion, diced: Builds depth with its natural sweetness once softened.
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced: Offers an aromatic punch essential to Italian flavors.
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced: Adds earthiness and a meaty texture to balance the stew.
- 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat: The hearty star of the dish, tenderized by slow cooking.
- 1 cup dry red wine: Deglazes the pan and infuses the stew with a rich, tangy complexity.
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Coats the beef to create a luscious, thickened sauce.
- 1 (14-ounce) can low-sodium beef broth: Forms the flavorful liquid base for the stew.
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes: Adds acidity and a fresh tomato dimension.
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste: Concentrates the tomato flavor for a richer sauce.
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus extra for seasoning: Enhances and balances all flavors perfectly.
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, plus extra for seasoning: Adds a gentle spice and warmth.
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning: Brings together traditional herbs like oregano and basil.
- 1 bay leaf: Infuses subtle earthiness and depth during slow cooking.
- 1 cup Italian flat beans or green beans: Adds a fresh, crisp bite in the final hour.
- 1 cup peas: Brings a touch of sweetness and bright green color.
How to Make Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe
Step 1: Brown Pancetta and Vegetables
Start by heating half of your olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the diced pancetta and let it brown until fragrant and slightly crisp. Then add carrots, onion, garlic, and mushrooms, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Sauté everything until the vegetables soften and release their wonderful aromas. This initial step lays a flavorful foundation and ensures the stew will be rich and savory. Once ready, transfer this mixture to your slow cooker to wait for its companions.
Step 2: Coat and Brown the Beef
Season the beef stew meat with salt and pepper before tossing it with flour to create a light coating. This is a crucial move—it helps thicken the stew and gives the meat a lovely crust when browned. Heat the remaining olive oil in the same skillet and brown the beef pieces in batches so they develop a beautiful sear without steaming. After browning, pour in the dry red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those delicious browned bits caught to the skillet. This liquid gold carries an incredible depth of flavor and should be poured directly into the slow cooker along with the beef.
Step 3: Add Broth and Tomato Base
Next, whisk the leftover flour from the beef bowl into the beef broth until smooth, then add this mixture to the slow cooker. To boost the tomato richness, stir in diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Season everything with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and a bay leaf. This hearty liquid bath will envelop the beef and veggies with warmth and a medley of classic Italian notes during the long cooking time.
Step 4: Slow Cook for Tenderness
Cover your slow cooker and set it to low for 8 hours. This leisurely cook time guarantees the beef will be melt-in-your-mouth tender, and all flavors will meld into something truly unforgettable. Resist the urge to lift the lid too often—slow and steady is the secret to perfect stew.
Step 5: Add Green Beans and Peas
About an hour before serving, stir in Italian flat beans or green beans along with fresh peas. This step ensures these vibrant vegetables retain their freshness and just a bit of crunch, adding a lovely textural contrast to the tender stew.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or basil over each bowl for a burst of green freshness and a pop of color. A grating of Parmesan cheese can add a tantalizing salty touch that complements the stew beautifully. Don’t be shy—these simple garnishes truly elevate the dish to restaurant-worthy status.
Side Dishes
This Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe pairs perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes, silky egg noodles, or soft polenta, all of which soak up that luxurious sauce marvelously. Don’t forget to serve warm, crusty bread on the side to dip and savor every last drop.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy family dinner, serve the stew in large bowls with a side of roasted garlic bread. Hosting friends? Consider hollowing out small rustic bread bowls to ladle the stew inside—edible bowls add an interactive and charming touch everyone will love. You can also layer the stew over oven-roasted polenta squares for a modern twist on comfort food.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your stew, store any leftovers in airtight containers and refrigerate. This stew keeps beautifully for up to 4 days, giving you plenty of delicious lunches or dinners ready to warm up during the week.
Freezing
If you want to save the stew for even longer, freezing is an excellent option. Let it cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. The Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe freezes well for up to 3 months without losing its incredible flavor and texture.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw frozen stew overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm gently over low heat on the stove or in the microwave. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. Adding a splash of broth or water can refresh the sauce if it has thickened too much during storage.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Absolutely! While stew meat works wonderfully, chuck roast cut into chunks is also fantastic for this recipe. It becomes tender and flavorful during the slow cooking process.
What if I don’t have pancetta?
If pancetta isn’t on hand, bacon or prosciutto can be great substitutes, bringing a similar savory richness to the stew’s base.
Can I prepare the stew without wine?
Yes! If you prefer to skip the wine, simply use additional beef broth to deglaze the pan. You might miss a bit of complexity, but the stew will still be delicious and hearty.
How do I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make this Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe gluten-free, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch for coating the beef and thickening the sauce.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers without drying out the beef?
Reheat the stew gently on low heat, adding a little broth or water if necessary. This keeps the beef moist and prevents the sauce from thickening too much.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the way this Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe brings comfort and joy to the table, all with the ease of slow cooking. It’s a dish that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day and a food memory waiting to be made. Give it a try, and you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again whenever you crave a taste of Italy’s hearty heart.
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Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for a comforting meal. Tender beef stew meat is browned with pancetta and vegetables, then slow-cooked with red wine, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning to develop rich flavors. Fresh green beans and peas are added towards the end for a vibrant finish. Serve this stew hot alongside polenta, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes with crusty bread for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Meat and Protein
- 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat
- 2 ounces pancetta, diced small
Vegetables
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup Italian flat beans or green beans
- 1 cup peas
Liquids and Broth
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 1 (14-ounce) can low-sodium beef broth
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
Oils, Seasonings, and Others
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus extra for seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, plus extra for seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Brown pancetta and vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté diced pancetta until browned and slightly crisp. Add diced carrots, onion, minced garlic, and sliced mushrooms; season with salt and pepper. Continue sautéing until vegetables are softened. Transfer this mixture to the slow cooker.
- Coat and brown beef: Season the beef stew meat with salt and pepper, then toss it with 4 tablespoons of flour until coated. In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and brown the flour-coated beef on all sides. Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Transfer the beef and wine mixture to the slow cooker.
- Make broth and combine in slow cooker: Whisk any remaining flour from the beef bowl into the low-sodium beef broth until smooth. Add this broth mixture to the slow cooker along with tomato paste, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and the bay leaf. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Cook low and slow: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 8 hours to allow the beef and vegetables to become tender and flavors to meld.
- Add green beans and peas: During the last hour of cooking, add the Italian flat beans or green beans and peas to the slow cooker. Continue cooking uncovered or covered as preferred until the beans are tender and the peas are warmed through.
- Serve: Serve the Italian beef stew hot, paired with polenta, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes. Accompany with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- For a thicker stew, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes to reduce the liquid.
- Using low-sodium broth helps control the salt content; adjust seasoning accordingly.
- For added depth, use a robust dry red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.
- Feel free to substitute fresh green beans if Italian flat beans are unavailable.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freeze nicely for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
