Slow Cooker Beef Stew Dump Bag

We eat home cooked meals 99.99% of the time, but cooking every night can be difficult. That's why I love my crockpot and leftovers so much! Today I'm sharing a cozy, easy fall and winter meal: the slow cooker beef stew dump bag.

Dump bags are a fantastic meal prep hack. Dump bags are exactly what they sound like. You dump all your raw ingredients into a bag, seal it, and you're done.

Dump bags are versatile.

You can prep this meal and make it immediately by dumping the freshly prepped contents straight into your slow cooker, you can put the bag in the fridge to use later in the week, or you can freeze the bag to use a different week/month.

I love keeping at least a couple of frozen bags on hand for days when I'm short on time.

This slow cooker beef stew is so cozy and delicious in fall or winter. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does!

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Slow Cooker Beef Stew Dump Bag

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours LOW or 4–5 hours HIGH

Freeze Time: Up to 3 months

Ingredients

• Stewing beef
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Onion
• Garlic powder
• Beef broth
• Tomato paste
• Dried thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper

You don't absolutely have to have a gallon bag holder, but it makes life so much easier!

Using a gallon bag holders to hold the bag open helps keep raw chicken off the outside of the bag and reduces the amount of clean up you will need to do.

How to make a Beef Stew Dump Bag

Making a dump bag is so easy!

Add the stewing beef, carrots, potatoes, and onion to a large freezer-safe bag.

Sprinkle in the garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.

Add the tomato paste.

Pour in the beef broth. If you don't have beef broth, you can use bullion cubes, chicken stock, or just water.

Gently mix to distribute the ingredients evenly.

Seal the bag tightly, removing as much air as possible.

Label and freeze flat for up to 3 months or cook right away.

Slow Cooker Instructions

Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Add contents directly to the slow cooker.

Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender. Exact times will depend on your slow cooker.

Stir before serving.

Serve and enjoy!

My husband loves eating stew with rice. (He can't help it. He's Cuban!) I think it's great with crusty bread.

This beef stew also goes well with mashed potatoes!

Freezer Instructions

• Freeze flat for easier storage.
• Freeze for up to 3 months.

Slow cooker beef stew FAQs

Can I freeze the cooked beef stew?

Yes! Beef stew freezes very well. For best texture, cook the stew without freezing the bag, then freeze the cooked stew in a gallon bag.

What beef works best for beef stew?

Chuck roast or stewing beef works best wonderfully it becomes tender during slow cooking. Stew is perfect for your fattier, gristlier, or tougher cuts of meat.

Can I add peas?

Yes, stir them in near the end of cooking. Don't cook them for the entire time or include them in the frozen bag because they'll be overcooked and turn to mush.

Why freeze flat?

Flat bags save freezer space and thaw faster.

Can I cook this beef stew from frozen?

It’s safest to thaw overnight first for even cooking. I say "overnight," but it typically needs to thaw from the prior morning in my fridge if I want everything to be fully thawed.

Yield: 6

Slow Cooker Beef Stew Dump Bag

Print

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 8 hours

Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 lbs stewing beef, cubed
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3 potatoes, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 cups beef broth (sub bullion and water or chicken broth)
• 2 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon Black pepper

Instructions

How to make a Beef Stew Dump Bag

Add the stewing beef, carrots, potatoes, and onion to a large freezer-safe bag.
Sprinkle in the garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
Add the tomato paste.
Pour in the beef broth. If you don't have beef broth, you can use bullion cubes, chicken stock, or just water.
Gently mix to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Seal the bag tightly, removing as much air as possible.
Label and freeze flat for up to 3 months or cook right away.

Slow Cooker Instructions

Thaw overnight in the fridge.


Add the contents of the freezer bag to the slow cooker.


Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours until the beef is tender.


Stir before serving.