If you’re craving a hearty, comforting meal that fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma, this Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe is your new best friend. It’s packed with tender chunks of beef, savory pancetta, and a vibrant mix of fresh vegetables that simmer slowly to develop rich, layered flavors. The combination of red wine, tomato paste, and Italian seasonings creates a sauce so delicious you’ll want to savor every spoonful. Perfect for busy days or cozy evenings, this stew promises a wholesome, soul-satisfying experience that’s effortless to prepare and delightful to eat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Using simple and fresh ingredients is the secret to making this stew taste authentically Italian and incredibly comforting. Each component plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor, from the pancetta’s salty depth to the fresh vegetables’ sweetness and the rich broth’s luscious body.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons, divided): Adds a fragrant, smooth base for sautéing ingredients.
- Pancetta (2 ounces, diced small): Brings a smoky, salty punch that infuses the stew.
- Carrots (3 medium, peeled and diced): Provide natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- Onion (1 large, diced): Offers a savory foundation and aroma.
- Garlic (3-4 cloves, minced): Gives a pungent, earthy aroma that awakens the senses.
- Mushrooms (8 ounces, sliced): Add meaty texture and umami richness.
- Beef stew meat (1 1/4 – 1 1/2 pounds): The star ingredient that becomes tender and flavorful.
- Dry red wine (1 cup): Enhances complexity and tenderizes the meat.
- All-purpose flour (4 tablespoons): Helps thicken the stew to a luscious consistency.
- Low-sodium beef broth (1 14-ounce can): Provides a savory, hearty liquid base.
- Diced tomatoes (1 14.5-ounce can): Adds brightness and a subtle tang.
- Tomato paste (2 tablespoons): Contributes intense tomato flavor and richness.
- Salt (1 teaspoon, plus extra): Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors.
- Pepper (1/2 teaspoon, plus extra): Adds just the right amount of spice.
- Italian seasoning (1/2 teaspoon): Blends herbs that highlight the stew’s Italian character.
- Bay leaf (1): Infuses subtle herbal notes during cooking.
- Italian flat beans or green beans (1 cup): Bring crunch and freshness.
- Peas (1 cup): Add color and a touch of sweetness at the end.
How to Make Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe
Step 1: Brown Pancetta and Vegetables
Start by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the diced pancetta until it’s beautifully browned and fragrant, which lays a savory foundation. Next, add the carrots, onion, garlic, and mushrooms, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Cook everything until the vegetables are softened and aromatic. Transfer this delicious mixture to your slow cooker—it’s already promising big flavor!
Step 2: Coat and Brown the Beef
Season your beef stew meat generously with salt and pepper, then lightly toss it in flour to create a coating that will soon become golden and crisp. Brown the floured beef in the same skillet with the remaining olive oil, searing each side for the best flavor development. After the beef has a beautiful crust, pour in the red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those flavorful browned bits that make the stew so rich. Pour everything from the pan—beef and wine—into the slow cooker with the vegetables.
Step 3: Make the Broth and Add to the Slow Cooker
Whisk the remaining flour left in your bowl with the beef broth until there are no lumps—it’ll help thicken your stew perfectly. Add this mixture to the slow cooker along with the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and the bay leaf. Stir gently to combine all those wonderful ingredients for a rich, hearty broth base.
Step 4: Cook
Cover the slow cooker and set it to low, letting the stew work its magic over 8 hours. This slow, gentle cooking tenderizes the beef to melt-in-your-mouth perfection and allows flavors to marry beautifully in your cozy kitchen.
Step 5: Add Vegetables
About one hour before serving, fold in the Italian flat beans and peas. This timing keeps them vibrant and just tender, adding fresh pops of color and texture to your stew without overcooking.
Step 6: Serve Your Masterpiece
Once the stew is perfectly cooked and rich with flavor, it’s ready to be enjoyed. Ladle it hot over creamy polenta, buttery egg noodles, or fluffy mashed potatoes and don’t forget some crusty bread for soaking up every last drop.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes like chopped parsley or a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese can take the Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe to the next level. These little touches brighten the dish and add a fresh contrast to the deep, hearty flavors.
Side Dishes
This stew goes wonderfully with simple side dishes such as creamy mashed potatoes or soft polenta that soak up the savory sauce perfectly. A crisp green salad or roasted seasonal vegetables add freshness to balance the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the stew over garlic-infused polenta or buttered egg noodles and drizzle a little extra red wine reduction over the top. You can also stuff the stew inside hollowed-out bread bowls for a rustic, cozy presentation that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors will deepen overnight, making the stew even more delicious the next day. Enjoy within 3 to 4 days for freshness and safety.
Freezing
This Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe freezes beautifully. Portion the stew into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 3 months, making it a perfect meal prep option for busy weeks.
Reheating
Reheat your stew gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but be sure to cover and stir halfway through to ensure even warmth. Add a splash of beef broth or water if the stew has thickened too much.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this stew?
Absolutely! Chuck roast or beef brisket also work well due to their marbling and ability to become tender during slow cooking. Just cut them into stew-sized pieces.
Is it necessary to brown the beef and pancetta?
Browning adds incredible depth of flavor, creating caramelized bits that enrich the stew. While you can skip this step, your Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe will be far more flavorful if you take the time.
Can I make this stew without red wine?
If you prefer to avoid alcohol, swap the red wine with extra beef broth and a splash of balsamic vinegar for acidity. The stew will still be delicious and rich.
When should I add the beans and peas?
Add the Italian flat beans and peas during the last hour of cooking to keep them tender yet crisp and preserve their fresh color and texture in the stew.
What’s the best way to thicken the stew if it’s too thin?
If your stew is thinner than you like, mix a little flour or cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the hot stew. Let it simmer for a few minutes until it reaches your desired consistency.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for bringing warmth and comfort to your table with minimal fuss. It’s one of those dishes that feels lovingly made, even if you spent most of the day away. I can’t recommend it enough for anyone wanting a hearty meal that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours in a traditional Italian kitchen. Give it a try—you’re going to fall in love!
Print
Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Stew
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for a cozy meal. Tender beef stew meat is browned with pancetta, sautéed vegetables, and simmered slowly in a rich tomato and red wine broth, enhanced with Italian herbs. Finished with fresh green beans and peas, this stew pairs wonderfully with polenta, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes for a satisfying comfort food experience.
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 and Fats
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings
- 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 the diced pancetta until browned and fragrant. Add the peeled and diced carrots, diced onion, minced garlic, and sliced mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper, and sauté the mixture until the vegetables have softened. Transfer this mixture to the slow cooker.
- Coat and brown beef: Season the beef stew meat with salt and pepper. Toss the beef pieces with flour until evenly coated. In the same skillet used for the pancetta and vegetables, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and brown the beef on all sides over medium-high heat. Once browned, pour in the red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Transfer the beef and the wine from the skillet into the slow cooker.
- Make broth and add to slow cooker: Take the remaining flour left in the bowl used to coat the beef and whisk it into the beef broth until smooth to avoid lumps. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker. Add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and the bay leaf. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on low heat for 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the beef to become tender.
- Add vegetables: About one hour before the cooking time ends, add the Italian flat beans (or green beans) and peas to the slow cooker. This will ensure they remain vibrant and slightly crisp.
- Serve: After the full cooking time, remove the bay leaf, stir the stew, and serve it hot. Pair the stew with polenta, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes. Serve with crusty bread on the side for dipping into the rich sauce.
Notes
- You can substitute pancetta with bacon if pancetta is unavailable.
- For a thicker stew, you can remove the lid and cook on high for an additional 15-30 minutes to reduce the liquid.
- Feel free to add other vegetables such as parsnips or celery for extra flavor and texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
