Easy Crockpot Beef Stew with Beer

Skip the takeout with this easy beef stew recipe served in a rich, creamy broth. With a dark beer, veggies, and hearty beef, it’s the perfect cold-weather dinner.

Crockpot Beef Stew with Beer is a dump and go dinner that will warm you up on a cold night. Beef stew meat is stewed low and slow in a rich sauce of cream of mushroom and cream of celery soups and beer.

Crockpot Beef Stew with Beer Recipe:

It’s easy and creamy, and this slow cooker beef stew makes its own gravy.

Beef stew meat is stewed all day in the crock pot. Stewing means to slowly simmer or boil which is the perfect way to take a tougher cut of meat (like cubed beef), and make it fork tender. This recipe stews the meat in a combination of cream of celery soup, cream of mushroom soup and BEER.  Make it your favorite beer! The beer helps to soften those tough meat fibers and transform them fork-tender.

I learned something new today. This recipe was originally called “Cabbage Row” Beef Stew (from my Caterin to Charleston cookbook). I honestly had no idea what “Cabbage Row” was referring to. After some quick research, I learned that Cabbage Row refers to a specific part of Charleston where many pre-Revolutionary buildings stood. I guess this Beef Stew with Mushroom Soup can be traced exactly to this spot.

Can I put beer in my beef beef stew?

Yes, beer is the perfect ingredient for beef stew. Beer is high in acidity which helps break down the meat fibers in the stew meat resulting in a very tender beef.

What vegetables go in beef stew?

The author made it quite clear that you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand; however, they recommended the combination of carrots, celery and green peppers.

• Potatoes
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Cabbage
• Turnips
• Parsnips
• Peas (added at the end)

My Momma made beef stew quite often during the cold winter months. Her version was a tomato based sauce that was thickened using tapioca pudding.  Find that recipe here; it’s a winner!

This Crockpot Beef Stew with Gravy recipe has a flavor profile completely different than our Mom’s. It calls for a can of cream of celery soup and a can of cream of mushroom soup. If you can’t find the cream of celery or don’t particularly care for celery, then go ahead and use two cans of the mushroom variety.

Ingredients for Crock Pot Beef Stew with Beer

The ingredients for hearty stew are quite simple, and you might have most of them in your kitchen already. Check out our Amazon Store for many of the pantry items below and other kitchen must-haves.

• Beef Stew Meat, 1 inch cubes
• Diced Veggies (carrots, celery, green pepper)
• Cream of Celery Soup
• Cream of Mushroom Soup
• Beer (or beef broth)
• Butter, softened
• Flour
• Cornstarch
• Worchestershire sauce
• Salt and Black Pepper

How to Make Beef Stew Recipe without browning meat:

For the full instructions for slow cooker beef stew with cream of mushroom soup, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Arrange seasoned beef and diced vegetables in a slow cooker insert.
2. Pour and spread cream of celery and cream of mushroom soups over top.
3. Pour beer around the edge of the stew. Cover.
4. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or until the meat falls apart and vegetables are fork tender.
5. With a fork, mash together softened butter, flour and cornstarch.
6. Stir into the beef stew mixture. Cover and cook for an additional 20 minutes on low or until thickened.
7. Add Worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper to taste.

FAQs

• I love how this is a beef stew recipe without browning meat. Easy Peasy!
• Substitute an extra can of cream of mushroom soup for the cream of celery, if desired.
• Beef broth is an acceptable substitute for beer.
• Instead of carrots, celery and peppers, try some of your other favorite vegetables in this slow cooker beef stew including potatoes, mushrooms, onions or peas.
• To thicken, make a quick paste of softened butter, flour and cornstarch. Stir it in 20 minutes before serving, and you’ll have a nice, thick gravy.
• Be sure to taste before serving. Add salt, black pepper and Worcestershire sauce, to taste.

What kind of beer goes in beef stew?

Practically any type of beer goes in beef stew. However, a dark beer such as a stout or Guinness are particularly good and give a great depth of flavor. The only beers I would stay away from would be a fruity beer.

 Recipes Using Beef Stew Meat

Slow Cooker Minestrone

Sunday Beef Tips

Bloody Mary Beef and Vegetable Soup