Crock Pot Low-Fat Beef Stew

4.41 from 59 votes

An old classic with only 2 grams of saturated fat.

crock pot low fat beef stew

Nothing warms you like a familiar childhood memory. Cooking traditional favorites and breathing in the scent of foods you remember from your childhood nourishes not just your body but your soul. That’s why we call dishes like this low fat beef stew true comfort food. When life’s fast pace wears you out, going back to an old favorite nurtures you in a variety of ways.

The Ease of Slow Cooking

low fat beef stew

Lucky for you, technology made some changes to old routines. While our grandmothers may have toiled over a hot stove, checking on their beef stew for hours, today, we can leave that work to one of our favorite inventions, the slow cooker. Simply combine your ingredients in the slow cooker, and go about your day, running errands and catching up with family and friends until it’s time to take the lid off this incredible low fat beef stew.

Classic Flavors of Home

comforting crock pot recipe

The end result is a remarkably familiar flavor, and your entire house will be filled with the comforting aroma you remember from your youth. It’s a classic, tasting just the way Mom used to make it, but with far less fat and time spent in the kitchen. Made with whole, fresh ingredients, this is a low fat beef stew recipe you can feel good about serving to your loved ones. Lean meat, whole vegetables, and extra-virgin olive oil make this a healthy and wholesome meal low-fat beef stew.

4.41 from 59 votes

Crock Pot Low-Fat Beef Stew

Beef stew is a favorite for the slow cooker, and this delicious low-fat beef stew recipe is no exception.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes
Yield 6 people
Serving Size 1 cup
Course Dinner, Soup
Cuisine Universal
Author SkinnyMs.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean beef stew meat cubed in about 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons flour for coating the beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper divided
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup red wine optional non-alcoholic wine or vegetable broth
  • 1 onion medium, coarsely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 2 potatoes medium, peeled and cubed
  • 2 carrots medium, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup red peppers diced
  • 6 thyme sprigs remove leaves from 4 sprigs
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 cups beef broth fat-free and low-sodium
  • 14 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes can

Instructions

  • Coat the beef with the flour then shake off the excess then sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  • Over medium heat, in a saucepan with extra-virgin olive oil, brown the floured beef then pour in the wine. Cook until sauce is slightly thickened and alcohol aroma is gone, about 5 minutes. Transfer the beef and its sauce to the crock pot.
  • In the crock pot, add onion, garlic, potatoes, carrots, celery, red peppers, leaves from 4 thyme sprigs, bay leaves, broth, tomatoes, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high 4 – 6 hours. Garnish with the remaining two thyme sprigs.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 214mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g |
SmartPoints (Freestyle): 7
Keywords Kid-Friendly, Slow Cooker

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The SkinnyMs. team believes that all people, regardless of age, size, and fitness level, have the power to transform their lives — they just need the resources to do so. The SkinnyMs. method promotes healthy living through a combination of clean eating and regular exercise. We offer everything you need to be successful.

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41 Comments

  1. I wanted to cook an early Valentine’s Day dinner for my girlfriend, and find something healthy at the same time. She was craving beef stew, so I searched, and this was one of the first results that came up. Let me say that this meal was, literally, the third one that I’ve ever really or actually cooked (I think). The stew was freakin’ DELICIOUS. Dare I say better than my mom’s??? Not bad for a first-timer on something this involved, eh? Try this recipe!!

    1. Hey Ben, YAH!!! Thank you for letting us know. Better than your mom’s? Now that’s a BIG compliment. 🙂

    1. Hi Sharon,

      You can use both thyme and bay leaves from a spice rack – opposed to fresh. Use a little less than what is called for in the recipe as spices usually have a stronger flavor when they’re dried.

  2. I am so glad I found this recipe! I had all but given up on making beef stew in a crockpot, as the vegetables usually were mushy and fatty tasting…not so with this version! I used very lean stew meat and followed the recipe closely (using vegetable broth instead of red wine, and adding a little cayenne pepper for kick), and the results were an absolute hit in my household! It provides a filling, healthy option for the chilly winter months, and both my husband and teenage son gave it rave reviews! I will definitely be making a double batch next time, as the first one is gone in 24 hours!

    1. Holly, Oh WOW, I’m thrilled that you and your family enjoyed one of our favorite Beef Stew recipes. 🙂 Thank you so much for the feedback.

  3. Currently 6 inches of snow on the ground in Richmond , Va and this recipe is simmering away in my crock pot. The boyfriend said it smelled delicious before I even started cooking it! Can’t wait to enjoy this tonight.

    1. Alexis, Definitely! Follow the same instructions and use a large pot. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to a low-boil (medium-low heat), and
      cook until meat and veggies are done. 🙂

    1. Great question, Carolyn! You can use corn starch to thicken. Mix 1 tablespoon of corn starch with 1 tablespoon of COLD water and then gradually add it into the stew. Cook for a few minutes to thicken – repeat as needed!

  4. I made this recipe this morning. I was a little hesitant to put a can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes in a beef stew recipe, but I did and 8 hours later we had dinner. I did have to thicken the sauce a little bit. My husband and I loved this recipe. I will be making it again. Thank you for the recipe.

  5. Made this and gave some to a coworker. I overheard him say (after finishing his bowl) “Well that was awesome.”
    Then he said he hadn’t had beef stew like that in a long time and if I ever wanted to bring more of it in, he’d be happy to eat some.

    1. Jeanean, Thank you so much for letting us know. We love getting feedback. A year or two ago, a guy left a comment on this recipe and said he made this for his girlfriend…best he had ever had. He though it was super easy too. 🙂

  6. This recipe was delicious! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the excellent flavor. I did not use my crock pot however I cooked on the stove. Delicious and would recommend to anyone. Thank you!

  7. Came out delicious! I also used sweet potatoes instead of regular. Also I couldn’t find fire roasted tomatoes so I used spicy peppered tomatoes. So yummy.

  8. Looking forward to making this for family next week and very pleased to find a recipe w/out using brown gravy! Thank you☀️❤️

  9. Wow!!! Earlier today I was looking for something healthy & hearty to fix for dinner. And I hit the jackpot with this delicious stew! It was so easy to prepare and my husband loved it! Thank you for sharing ?

    1. Hi Alisha, that depends on your personal health needs and goals. If you’re unsure, please check with your physician.

    1. Hi Sarah, this soup will easily freeze as-is in a sealed container. Simply thaw and reheat when ready to use!

  10. Currently in the crockpot! I had to substitute red pepper for yellow but so excited to try it! I was a bit hesitant as I thought “oh that’s not much liquid, maybe I should double the recipe.” So glad I didn’t! This will be plenty for me and my brood ☺️

  11. This was so yummy and easy to make! I did it in my instant pot- sautéing the meat first with the wine and then dumping in the veggies which I had pre sliced the night before. 30 mins on pressure cook followed by 15 min natural release and wah-lah dinner with very few dishes to do! Love it!5 stars

  12. I have made this recipe as written about 10 times now and it’s always delicious. Thank you for such a great recipe!5 stars

  13. This may be a silly question but has anyone tried to double this recipe in the crockpot? Just wondering if it fit and did the cooking time need to be adjusted. Thank you!

    1. Hi CB,

      Depending on the size of your slow cooker, you could need a larger one if you plan to double this recipe. Also, the cooking time should be fine for doubling the recipe. Hope this helps. 🙂

      1. Thank you so much! I doubled the recipe in a 6-quart slow cooker, and it fit perfectly. Cooked it for the amount of time in the directions (had to cook the wine a little longer to thicken up) and it turned out delicious. It was so easy to make for when our guest came over. Served it with some crusty bread. It was a huge hit and will definitely be keeping this recipe!

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