There’s something magical about coming home to the smell of a rich, slow-simmering stew during the holiday season.

This Slow Cooker Christmas Beef Stew is one of my favorite winter comfort meals — hearty, flavorful, and infused with warm seasonal ingredients that make the entire house smell incredible.

It’s the kind of cozy Christmas dinner that feels effortless but tastes like it cooked all day… because it did!

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Recipe Highlights

This stew is built on tender chunks of beef slow-cooked until they practically melt. Holiday touches like rosemary, thyme, red wine, tomato paste, and sweet pearl onions give it both depth and seasonal warmth.

The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while the flavors blend into a rich, glossy broth perfect for serving with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.

Because it’s made in the slow cooker, it’s completely hands-off — ideal for busy December days, Christmas gatherings, or snowy evenings when you want something comforting without effort.

It also reheats beautifully, making it a great make-ahead Christmas dinner option.

  • Tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef cooked low and slow
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  • Festive holiday aromatics and deep, rich flavor
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  • Easy, hands-off slow cooker recipe
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  • Perfect for cozy winter nights and holiday gatherings
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  • Makes amazing leftovers

Ingredient Notes

  • Beef stew meat: Ideal for slow cooking because it becomes incredibly tender over long cooking times.
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  • Carrots: Add sweetness and color while holding their texture well in the slow cooker.
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  • Potatoes: Provide heartiness and help thicken the stew naturally as they cook.
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  • Pearl onions: Add subtle sweetness and a special holiday touch.
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  • Garlic: Deepens the flavor and complements the herbs and wine.
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  • Beef broth: Forms the savory base of the stew and enhances richness.
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  • Red wine (optional but recommended): Adds depth, acidity, and beautiful color to the stew.
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  • Tomato paste: Creates body and balances sweetness with umami.
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  • Rosemary & thyme: Classic Christmas herbs that infuse the stew with warm, festive flavor.
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  • Worcestershire sauce: Adds a savory depth that rounds out the entire dish.
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  • Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors together.

How to Make My Slow Cooker Christmas Beef Stew

Step 1 – Sear the beef
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add oil, and quickly sear the beef on all sides until browned. This step builds flavor but may be skipped if you’re short on time.

Step 2 – Add ingredients to the slow cooker
Place the seared beef, carrots, potatoes, pearl onions, and garlic into the slow cooker.

Step 3 – Make the sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Step 4 – Pour and stir
Pour the mixture over the beef and vegetables. Give everything a gentle stir to combine.

Step 5 – Cook low and slow
Cover and cook on low for eight hours or high for four to five hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft.

Step 6 – Adjust thickness (optional)
If you prefer a thicker stew, stir in a slurry of one tablespoon of flour and two tablespoons of water, then cook an additional fifteen minutes.

Step 7 – Serve warm
Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Serving Suggestions

This Christmas Beef Stew is incredible served over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or creamy polenta.

Pair it with crusty artisan bread, Yorkshire pudding, roasted Brussels sprouts, winter salad, or warm dinner rolls.

It also works beautifully as part of a larger Christmas dinner spread with ham, turkey, or holiday casseroles.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Christmas Beef Stew

Searing the beef first adds deep caramelized flavor, but if you skip it, increase the Worcestershire slightly for added richness.

Cut vegetables into large chunks so they hold their shape during long cooking. Use full-bodied red wine for the best flavor, and always cook low and slow for the most tender beef.

Adding fresh herbs at the end brightens the stew beautifully.

Slow Cooker Christmas Beef Stew
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Slow Cooker Christmas Beef Stew

Recipe by JoanneCourse: Dinner / Main CoursevCuisine: American – HolidayDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Calories per serving

410

kcal
Cooking time

8

hours

This Slow Cooker Christmas Beef Stew is rich, hearty, and full of festive holiday flavor. It’s the perfect hands-off winter dinner that warms you from the inside out.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds of beef stew meat

  • 3 large carrots, sliced

  • 3 medium potatoes, cubed

  • 1 cup pearl onions

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 cups beef broth

  • ½ cup red wine (optional)

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon rosemary

  • 1 teaspoon thyme

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

  • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef on all sides until browned.
  • Transfer the beef into the slow cooker along with the carrots, potatoes, pearl onions, and garlic.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
  • Pour the mixture over the slow cooker ingredients and gently stir.
  • Cover and cook on low for eight hours or on high for four to five hours.
  • If a thicker consistency is desired, stir in a slurry of one tablespoon of flour and two tablespoons of water, then cook for fifteen more minutes.
  • Serve hot with fresh herbs or crusty bread.

Notes

  • Red wine deepens flavor, but can be replaced with extra broth.
  • For extra holiday color, add one cup of fresh cranberries during the last hour of cooking.
  • Baby potatoes may be used instead of cubed potatoes.
  • Stew thickens naturally after cooling and reheating.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed.

The stew also freezes exceptionally well for up to three months.

Slow Cooker Christmas Beef Stew