• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hungry Healthy Happy
  • Game Day Recipes
  • About
  • Recipes
  • FREE eBook
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Game Day Recipes
  • About
  • Recipes
  • FREE eBook
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Let's get social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Game Day Recipes
    • About
    • Recipes
    • FREE eBook
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Let's get social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Beef

    The BEST Slow Cooker Beef Casserole

    Published: Oct 9, 2012 · Modified: Oct 7, 2021 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

    289 shares
    • 220
    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Gluten Free / Low Carb
    A plate of slow cooker beef casserole with a text title overlay.

    A hearty and warming Slow Cooker Beef Casserole with lots of chunky vegetables is the perfect comfort food. Just what you need for those cold winter nights, this slow cooker beef stew is super tender and the meat just falls apart. It freezes really well too, so it's ideal for batch cooking.

    Beef casserole on top of mashed potatoes.

    Tender chunks of beef and vegetables in a rich red wine and herb gravy make this slow cooker beef casserole deliciously indulgent. Served on top of creamy mashed potato just to increase the comfort levels - this is a family favourite.

    This is a super easy and comforting beef stew that the whole family will love, and an easy way to start using your slow cooker a bit more. It's easy to adapt to include vegetables that you know your family are going to eat too. When life gets busy, stick this meal in the slow cooker.

    Looking for some more slow cooker recipes? Why not try our Slow Cooker Shredded Beef, Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole, Slow Cooker Whole Chicken or Slow Cooker Chocolate Fudge?

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients needed
    • Step by step
    • Why should you try it?
    • Health benefits of beef
    • Variations
    • What to serve with Slow Cooker Beef Casserole
    • Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Extra tips
    • More beef recipes 
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Ingredients needed

    • Beef - Slow cookers are great for making budget friendly meals, because you can use cheaper cuts of meat. Cooking low and slow will get cheaper cuts really tender and still full of flavour. We used braising steak for this recipe.
    • Onion - This is the base of any good stew. You could swap it for shallots if you prefer, and this would give a sweeter flavour. Save yourself some time and use frozen onion.
    • Leek - Rather than just use onion, we added in some leek too as it has a really lovely flavour. You could use use all leek if you prefer.
    • Mushrooms - These add some nice chunky texture and they are really meaty too. You could even use more mushrooms and less beef if you are trying to reduce the amount of meat you eat.
    • Garlic - This adds lots of flavour to the beef stew and a little goes a long way. Save yourself some time and use frozen garlic.
    • Stock - This is the base of the "gravy". Use a really good quality beef stock pot as you will taste the difference. If you are making this for young children, then use a low salt stock.
    • Red Wine - This is totally optional, but we think it gives a real richness to the dish. If you didn't want to use it, then you could just use stock instead.
    • Mustard - A little wholegrain mustard adds lots of flavour. You could use Dijon mustard instead.
    • Rosemary - Fresh is always best, however you could use dried as it is cooked for long enough to bring out the flavours.
    • Tomato Puree (paste) - This not only helps to thicken up the slow cooker beef casserole, but it adds to that rich colour too.
    • Salt and Pepper

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    Step by step

    One: Heat a little oil in a frying pan and add the beef. Cook the chunks of meat for about 2 minutes until all sides are browned.

    A frying pan containing browned chunks of beef.

    Two: Meanwhile, chop all the vegetables.

    A wooden chopping board with chopped vegetables.

    Three: When the beef has browned, remove it from the frying pan and put in the slow cooker bowl. Add the vegetables to the frying pan and cook for 5 minutes.

    A frying pan containing chopped vegetables.

    Four: Place the cooked vegetables in the slow cooker bowl with the beef and add the other ingredients. Cook on low for 7 hours or high for 4 hours.

    A Crock Pot bowl containing chunks of beef, chopped vegetables and gravy.

    Why should you try it?

    • Low calories - There are just 360 calories for a big filling portion. That doesn't include sides, but we have lots of options for those for you too.
    • Hidden vegetables - I am sure we all struggle to get enough vegetables in to our diet, but this one has them chopped up small and all mixed in. Perfect for fussy eaters.
    • Hearty and warming - Seriously, this is like a hug in a bowl. It's a warm and comforting stew and just what you need when the weather starts to turn.
    • Freezes well - this slow cooker beef casserole is perfect for batch cooking as it freezes and reheats really well. So, make a double batch if you slow cooker is big enough, so you have plenty of leftovers to freeze.

    Health benefits of beef

    Beef can definitely play an important role in a balanced diet and using lean cuts is key for this. It can provide a lean source of protein, iron and eight essential vitamins and minerals. Beef is a significant provider of protein and is naturally low in sodium and contributes towards good health and wellbeing.

    To make a lighter version of this slow cooker beef casserole, make sure to trim all the visible fat off the beef and swap the red wine for extra stock, or just use a little splash of wine.

    A plate of raw cubes of beef.

    Variations

    There are not too many ways that you can adapt this recipe, but you can always add more vegetables. Really chunky root vegetables like carrot, parsnip and swede work well. You could also add some chunks of potato or butternut squash and then you don't need to serve it with anything. It's like a full meal in one that way.

    Flavour adding vegetables like onion, shallots, leek, celery are nice too and then you can add some colour by adding some peas, spinach, kale, sweetcorn or green beans about 30 minutes before it is finished cooking. You could also stir through some spinach 20 minutes before serving for a green vegetable boost.

    If you wanted to add even more protein, then you could add in a can of cooked lentils an hour before the end of cooking time. Add some extra flavour by adding a bay leaf to the stock and taking it out before serving.

    Chunks of cooked beef and chopped vegetables in a gravy sauce on top of mashed potato.

    What to serve with Slow Cooker Beef Casserole

    I think mashed potato goes perfectly with a beef stew, as they are both so comforting. We love this Vegetable mash, as it adds some extra goodness, but for some extra indulgence, why not have it with our Creamy Mashed Potato? If you have a second slow cooker, then you could make our Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes too!

    You could serve it with rice or couscous or even on a baked potato. Sometimes we like to have some warmed crusty bread and then use it to scoop everything out and then mop up all the juices left behind.

    Looking for some vegetable packed sides to serve with this? Why not try these:

    • Garlic Spring Greens
    • Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli
    • Roasted Butternut Squash
    • Garlic Green Beans
    • Air Fryer Carrots
    • Roasted Lemon Asparagus

    Storage

    Store: Make sure the beef stew cools completely and then put in an air tight container. It will then keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.

    Freeze: This freezes really well, making it perfect for batch cooking. You can keep it in the freezer for up to 4 months.

    Defrost: Defrost overnight in the fridge.

    Reheat: To reheat, make sure it is defrosted thoroughly if you have frozen it, and then heat through on the hob/stove or microwave.

    A white bowl containing mashed potato topped with beef casserole.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What beef can you use in a slow cooker beef casserole?

    The great thing about cooking a beef stew in a slow cooker is that you don't have to use expensive cuts of beef. You can go for the cheaper cuts like braising steak, because cooking it low and slow makes it really tender. I wouldn't use anything too lean, as it tends to dry out. Brisket or chuck steak work well too.

    What slow cooker to use.

    There really is no rule here, just make sure that the beef you are using can fit in your slow cooker. We use a Crock Pot DuraCeramic Slow Cooker and we love it. What I love most about it is that you can put the bowl insert on the hob too. So, we thicken the gravy on the hob, in the slow cooker bowl. You can also sear the meat in it first. I also love that it has a clear lid, as I am so impatient that I want to keep looking and seeing what it is doing. If you don't have a clear lid, then lifting it to see will release lots of the heat and add to the cooking time.

    Do you have to sear the meat first?

    You don't have to, but we really recommend it as it adds such a depth of flavour. Basically, you want to trigger the Maillard reaction. It is a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that gives browned food its distinctive flavour. You don't have to though, and you can just throw everything in to the slow cooker and leave it if you are really short on time.

    How long do you cook a slow cooker beef casserole for?

    Slow and low is the key here, so we cook it on low for 7 hours. You could cook it on high for 4 hours instead though. You want the meat to be tender, but not falling apart so much that it's like shredded beef. If you like shredded beef, then why not try our Slow Cooker Pulled Beef recipe?

    Can you prepare a slow cooker beef casserole in advance?

    Yes, you can do some of the prep in advance. You can sear the meat and add it to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients and then allow it to cool fully and then put it in the fridge (in your slow cooker pot) for up to 24 hours. You can then put it on the next day, but it might take longer to cook as it will be cold straight from the fridge.

    Can I cook this on the hob instead?

    Yes, you can easily make this on the hob instead of in the slow cooker. Follow step one in a large heavy pan and then add the rest of the ingredients to the pan rather than the slow cooker. Put a lid on and cook on low for an hour, until the beef is cooked.

    Why is my gravy too thin?

    The thickness of a stew/casserole really is a personal thing. This isn't really thin, but it isn't a really thick gravy either. If you want to thicken it, then make a slurry and then add it to the slow cooker.
    Not sure what a slurry is? Take some cornflour and a little cold water and mix together until a fairly thick paste (1 tablespoon cornflour and 2 tablespoon water. Then stir that in to the slow cooker about 30 minutes before serving to thicken the stew up.
    You could also cook the stew with the lid off for 30 minutes to an hour.

    Is slow cooker beef casserole gluten free?

    As long as the stock and mustard are gluten free and there is no cross contamination, then this can be gluten free.

    Can this recipe be doubled?

    Yes, you can easily double the recipe and it won't change the cooking time. Just make sure you have a frying pan big enough to brown double the beef and a slow cooker big enough for double all of the ingredients.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • You don't have to sear the meat first, however it really does make a difference to the finished dish as it seals all the flavour in.
    • Root vegetables work really well in this stew, however you can give it a green boost by adding some leafy greens about 30 minutes before the stew is ready.
    • The type of wine you use in this recipe is important. A cheap wine won't taste as nice, so we like to use a mid-priced Burgundy or Merlot.
    • If the red wine flavour tastes a bit too intense when you first taste it, leave it for 15 minutes to allow the flavours to mellow a little. It will be fine resting in the slow cooker for a little while.
    • You don't have to serve this stew with anything. You could add some potatoes to the stew and cook it all together.
    • For even more flavour, you could add a splash of Worcestershire sauce.

    More beef recipes 

    • Slow Cooker Roast Beef
    • Leftover Roast Beef Sandwich
    • Slow Cooker Beef Ragu
    • Shredded Beef Tacos

    If you’ve tried this Slow Cooker Beef Stew, let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    Slow Cooker Beef Casserole and mashed potato in a white dish.

    The BEST Slow Cooker Beef Casserole

    A hearty, savoury Slow Cooker Beef Casserole with onions, leeks and mushrooms. Perfect for those cold winter nights.
    A circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    The words low carb in a white circle.
    Low Carb
    4.47 from 15 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: British, French
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a cow's head.
    Meat
    An illustration of a mustard bottle.
    Mustard
    An illustration of a wine glass.
    Sulphites
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 367kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 500 g Braising steak (chuck roast) - cubed
    • 1 Onion - cut into chunks
    • 1 Leek - large; sliced
    • 10 Mushrooms - quartered
    • 2 Garlic clove - crushed
    • 500 ml Vegetable stock
    • 250 ml Red wine - (if you don't want to use wine, then add more stock)
    • 2 tablespoon Wholegrain mustard
    • 4 tablespoon Fresh rosemary - chopped
    • 2 tablespoon Tomato puree
    • 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper

    Instructions

    • Heat a little oil in a frying pan and add the beef. Cook the chunks of meat for about 2 minutes until all sides are browned.
    • Meanwhile chop all the vegetables.
    • When the beef has browned, remove it from the frying pan and put in the slow cooker bowl. Add the vegetables to the frying pan and cook for 5 minutes.
    • Place the cooked vegetables in the slow cooker bowl with the beef and add the other ingredients. Cook on low for 7 hours or high for 4 hours.

    Notes

    • You don't have to sear the meat first, however it really does make a difference to the finished dish as it seals all the flavour in.
    • Root vegetables work really well in this stew, however you can give it a green boost by adding some leafy greens about 30 minutes before the stew is ready.
    • You don't have to serve this stew with anything. You could add some potatoes to the stew and cook it all together.
    • Thicken the dish by adding a cornflour slurry

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 673mg | Potassium: 710mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 746IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 4mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

    You'll love these too...

    • Air Fryer Burgers
    • Air Fryer Meatballs
    • Cumberland Pie
    • Indian Burger

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jocelyn

      December 08, 2020 at 10:49 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy yummy! Cooked with along side your veggie mash. It’s definitely the “best “ slow cooked casserole as your recipe title promises :-)

      Reply
      • Dannii

        December 09, 2020 at 8:59 am

        SO glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    2. Steve

      May 27, 2020 at 9:19 pm

      Jusr made this for my wife and myself, fantastic stew, wife asked if there was enough for seconds !
      Will made again

      Reply
      • Dannii

        May 28, 2020 at 7:15 am

        Asking for seconds is always a good review. So glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    3. A Mazed

      April 28, 2020 at 10:48 am

      I would chop all the vegetables if you mentioned which ones at any point in the recipe!!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        April 29, 2020 at 7:34 am

        All the instructions in this recipe state to chop the vegetables.

        Reply
    4. Platter Talk

      October 22, 2016 at 5:44 pm

      It's a little chilly here today and I found this recipe of yours. Sounds like a perfect meal for tonight! Thanks.

      Reply
    5. Krista Dier

      October 10, 2012 at 2:12 pm

      In my crock pot as I write :)

      Reply
    6. Sara

      October 09, 2012 at 9:42 pm

      Beef casserole = yum!

      Reply
    7. Sheila

      October 09, 2012 at 8:43 pm

      This sounds so good. I made your slow cooked pulled pork the other day - that was amazing!

      Reply
    8. Alice

      October 09, 2012 at 8:05 pm

      The mash sounds really good. I am a veggie, so I would have to make a veggie casserole to go with it. I think this is going to be Sunday lunch!

      Reply
    9. Tammy

      October 09, 2012 at 7:27 pm

      It is freezing here today. I wish I had this in my slow cooker.

      Reply
    10. Moreen

      October 09, 2012 at 6:34 pm

      This looks lovely and something my husband would like too. He is very fussy.

      Reply
    11. Anna

      October 09, 2012 at 5:50 pm

      Casseroles are one of my favourite things about winter. I will definitely be using the wine in this, I love booze in food ;)

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Dannii in hat and glasses stood on a beach.
    heart icon

    Welcome!

    My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

    About HHH»

    Game Day Recipes

    • Broccoli Slaw
    • Tortilla (Spanish Omelette)
    • BBQ Baked Chicken Wings
    • Paneer Tikka
    • 10 Easy Tapas Recipes
    • Easy Sausage Rolls

    Featured in

    Collage of media outlet logos.

    Popular Recipes

    • The Best Air Fryer Chips
    • 10 Minute Chickpea and Spinach Curry
    • Easy Tomato Pasta Sauce
    • 10 Minute Sticky Ginger Beef

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Advertising
    • Blog

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • See our Web Stories page

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with us
    • FAQ
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

    Featured in

    A selection of publications that Hungry Healthy Happy has been featured in

    As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2011-2023 Hungry Healthy Happy • All Rights Reserved • Site Design by D Martin

    • 220
    289 shares