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Slow Cooker Beef Stew for Two

This slow cooker beef stew for two is the perfect dinner when you want delicious comfort food but only need a couple of servings. I like the fact that there’s very little math involved with this recipe.

Basically, you take an old-school recipe and adapt it for the slow cooker. Since I cooked this yummy stew for 2, I used a 2 quart slow cooker.

Easy Beef Stew

If you already have a beef stew recipe you love, all you have to do is cut the ingredients list to half or one-third.

Or if you want a boatload of leftovers, you can cook a full recipe in a larger Crock Pot. See below for how to keep leftovers for later.

When you cook a meal for two in a slow cooker, make sure you have the right tools, like a small slow cooker. You can get this little Crock Pot from Amazon.

Crock Pot makes slow cookers in a wide range of sizes. You can also find quite a few slow cookers made by other manufacturers.

Bowl of beef stew

One-Pot Meal

I’ve always appreciated one-pot meal recipes because they’re so simple and easy to clean up afterward. My husband enjoys them since he likes the traditional ingredients I put in them.

Back in the day when we both worked outside the home, we enjoyed coming home to the wonderful aroma. Another meal for two we enjoy is this Crock Pot chicken stew.

Ingredients

Of course, you need to start out with beef cut into bite-size pieces. You’ll also need something for the broth and some vegetables. I use beef broth that I thicken with cornstarch when I cook beef stew in a slow cooker.

But you can add flour to the broth if you’re able to eat gluten. For even more flavor, add a little bit of ketchup, salt, and pepper.

Beef and vegetables in a small Crock Pot

I always use whatever vegetables I have on hand. For this batch, I added baby carrots, zucchini, and potatoes.

Here’s the list of ingredients that I used for this stew:

  • Beef cut into bite-size pieces
  • Beef broth
  • Ketchup
  • Cornstarch
  • Potatoes
  • Carrots
  • Zucchini
  • Salt and black pepper

Here are other ingredients that are good in beef stew:

  • Green beans
  • Yellow squash
  • Onions
  • Celery
  • Cauliflower
  • Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce

If you have other vegetables you’d like to try, go ahead and toss them in. If you like them on their own, you’ll most likely enjoy them in stew.

For exact measurements of each ingredient and full directions, go to the recipe card at the bottom of the page. You can even print out the card by using the “print” button.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This recipe is so easy you can do it with one eye closed and one hand behind your back. Yes, it’s that easy.

But maybe you’d better use both hands so you don’t cut yourself when you’re chopping the potatoes.

Cooked beef stew in the slow cooker

I used to brown the meat, until I forgot one time and discovered that I couldn’t tell the difference.

So I stopped doing that in order to save a step. Seriously, it made things so much easier for both the time saved in cooking and cleanup.

I basically just toss all of the meat and veggies into the slow cooker. Then I mix the broth, cornstarch, and ketchup before pouring it into the pot. Put the lid on top, turn it on, and you’ll have dinner in a few hours.

What to Do with Leftover Beef Stew

If you cook a small amount, you probably won’t have any leftovers. However, if you’re like me, you enjoy having leftovers for lunch the next day.

After the beef stew cools to room temperature, either put it in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or pour it into an airtight container. Place it in the refrigerator. It should be good for up to 4 days.

You can also freeze it. Use an airtight container that’s freezer safe. When it’s time to enjoy it, thaw it in the refrigerator and heat it in a saucepan on the stovetop.

It should last up to 3 months in the freezer.

More Tips for Making the Best Beef Stew for Two

Follow the directions as they’re written to make a small quantity of delicious beef stew. Here are some tips to add flavor or make the process even easier:

  • Make sure all of the pieces are similar in size. This ensures even cooking throughout the stew.
  • Caramelize the beef by searing it in a hot pan with oil. This adds depth and lots of deliciousness to the flavor.
  • Also saute the vegetables to caramelize them before adding the gravy.
  • Add a splash of red wine while cooking for depth and richness.
  • Thicken the gravy by making a slurry of broth and cornstarch. Slowly add it while stirring.
  • Add your favorite seasonings. If you’re not sure whether or not they’ll be good, test them in a small amount.

What Goes with Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Although you don’t need anything else with this meal, there are quite a few things you can add. I like to serve the stew over rice or noodles, but sometimes I don’t.

Sometimes I’ll make this tomato cucumber salad to go with it. My husband enjoys having crusty bread with butter. It all depends on how hungry you are.

Slow cooker beef stew in a bowl

Since this is such a filling meal, you may want to serve a light dessert afterward. One of our favorites is this pineapple upside down cake that takes less than half an hour to make.

Another dessert you might like is this delicious berry icebox cake from my friend Julie’s blog Back to My Southern Roots. Everything she makes is good.

More Delicious and Easy Slow Cooker Recipes

If you enjoy the convenience of a slow cooker, you probably have a few favorites. Here are some of ours:

Pork Carnitas – Anyone who likes flavor-packed food will love having pork carnitas for tacos, fajitas, or any other south-of-the-border inspired meals.

pork carnitas with vegetables and cheese in a tortilla

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast – Whether you’re cooking a holiday meal or simply enjoy a turkey dinner any time of year, this is an easy way to have something yummy on your plate with minimal effort.

turkey breast that was cooked in a slow cooker

Layered Hamburger Casserole – Here is another one-pot meal that is absolutely delicious and so filling.

Serving of hamburger casserole

Chicken and Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes – This one is the ultimate comfort food that the whole family will love. If you’re cooking for 2, simply cut the recipe in half.

Chicken and gravy with a side of peas and carrots

Easy One-Pot Beef Stew for Two

You don’t have to cook a massive amount of beef stew to serve two people. This recipe is perfect for a couple, and it’s very satisfying.

Yield: 2 servings

Slow Cooker Beef Stew for Two

Bowl of beef stew

This beef stew recipe is easy to make and the perfect amount for two people.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3/4 pound of stew meat or any beef cut into bite-size cubes
  • 1-1/2 cup of potatoes cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 zucchini cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 cup of baby carrots
  • 2 cups of beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup of ketchup
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

    1. Spray the inside of a small slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
    2. Dump the stew meat, potato pieces, zucchini, and carrots into the pot.
    3. Pour 2 cups of beef broth into the pot.
    4. Cook on high for 1 hour. Turn it down to low.
    5. In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup of beef broth, cornstarch, and ketchup until all of the cornstarch is dissolved. Pour into the pot and stir.
    6. Cook for another 4 hours on low. Serve with rice or noodles.

Nutrition Information

Yield

2

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 672Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 205mgSodium 1508mgCarbohydrates 52gFiber 5gSugar 11gProtein 74g

The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.

Did you make this recipe?

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Eric

Saturday 9th of December 2023

OK I am not a mathematician, but 1 hrs on high and 1 hour on low,then 4 more hours on low = 6 hours. Not 5. Just saying 😌 🤷

southernhomeexpress

Monday 11th of December 2023

Hi Eric. Thank you for pointing this out.

Miz Helen

Tuesday 21st of November 2023

Your awesome post is featured on Full Plate Thursday, 669 Thanksgiving Edition. Thanks so much for sharing at the party with us, we will hope to see you again real soon! Wishing you and your family a bountiful Thanksgiving! Miz Helen

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