Comparison: Best Cut Of Beef For Stew Slow Cooker (Updated | Dec 9th)
Nothing beats coming home to a hearty beef stew simmering in your slow cooker, but choosing the right cut can make or break your meal. The secret to tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef isn’t just in the cooking time—it’s starting with the perfect cut. From budget-friendly chuck to luxurious brisket, we’ve tested them all to help you avoid tough, disappointing results.
- Best for hearty flavor blend: McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
- Best for bulk seasoning pack: McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
- Best for gluten-free recipe: Orrington Farms Slow Cookers Seasoning
- Best for crock-pot original: Crock-Pot Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
- Best for six-pack value: Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Stew Mix-6 packages
- Best for triple pack mix: Crock Pot Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix (1.5 oz Packets) (Pack of 3)
- Best for premium chuck meat: Beef Chuck Stew Meat
- Best for bulk seasoning supply: Orrington Farms Seasoning Slow Cooker Veg Beef Stew
- Best for classic stew mix: Crock-Pot Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
- Best for quick beef meal: HORMEL SQUARE TABLE Slow Simmered Beef Roast Au Jus & Savory Sauce Refrigerated Entrée
Product Comparison: Best Cut Of Beef For Stew Slow Cooker
McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix, 1.5 oz
- Delicious, hearty beef stew made easy
- Zero trans fats and artificial flavors
- Low-cholesterol diet friendly
- Easy recipe – just add water, beef, carrots, potatoes and onions
- Perfect intense flavor blend of black pepper, paprika an d thyme
McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix, 1.5 oz (Pack of 12)
- Tasty blend of black pepper, paprika and time to make a hearty, homemade beef stew
- No MSG or Artificial Flavors Added*
- Convenient seasoning blend made with McCormick Spices
- USAGE TIP: Dinner is a breeze with McCormick Slow Cooker: 8 hours on low, 4 hours on high in the slow cooker
- USAGE TIP: Meal is ready in approximately 30 minutes in your Instant Pot
Orrington Farms Slow Cookers Seasoning, Vegetable Beef Stew, 2.5 oz Packet (Pack of 12)
- Value Pack of 12; each pouch makes approx. 8 servings
- Made with premium ingredients including onion, tomato, beef stock, garlic and pepper
- Make dinner easy with our slow cooker seasonings, perfect for any family meal
- For Vegetable Beef Stew: 1 cup water 1 pouch Orrington Farms Vegetable Beef Stew Seasoning 2 lbs beef stew meat** 2 medium celery stalks, chopped 2 medium carrots, chopped 2 medium potatoes, chopped 1-14 oz can of diced tomatoes, undrained MIX water with 1 pouch Vegetable Beef Stew Seasoning in a small bowl until completely combined. PLACE meat and vegetables in slow cooker; pour sauce over. COVER and COOK on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours until beef is tender. **Follow safe handling practices and cook meat thoroughly.
- Gluten Free; No Artificial Flavors; No Artificial Colors; Contains Sea Salt
Crock-Pot Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix, 1.5 Ounce
- Ingredients: ‘MODIFIED CORN STARCH, HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN AND WHEAT GLUTEN, SALT, MALTODEXTRIN, SUGAR, GARLIC POWDER, SPICES, CARAMEL COLOR, HYDROLYZED YEAST PROTEIN, ONION POWDER, PAPRIKA, RENDERED BEEF FAT, BEEF STOCK, DISTILLED VINEGAR SOLIDS, DRIED PARSLEY, NATURAL FLAVORS, RED WINE VINEGAR, SILICON DIOXIDE.’
- Item Package Length: 1.524cm
- Item Package Width: 11.049cm
- Item Package Height: 13.081cm
Crock Pot Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix (1.5 oz Packets) (Pack of 3)
Beef Chuck Stew Meat
- Meets standards for animal welfare, feed, and more, so you can know about what you’re buying (and eating)
- Traceable to farm or ranch
- No antibiotics or added growth hormones, ever
- No animal by-products in feed
- Cattle spend at least 2/3 of life on pasture
Orrington Farms Seasoning Slow Cooker Veg Beef Stew, 2.5 oz
- Brought to you by Orrington Farms; High Quality; Total of 24; Save money by buying bulk; UPC:072058610746
- meat-seasonings
Crock-Pot Beef Stew Seasoning Mix, 1.25 Ounce (Pack of 12)
- No Artificial Flavors.
- Contains a bioengineered food ingredient.
- Classic cozy… Dinner prep made easy.
- More great recipes using Crock-Pot Seasonings at crockpotseasonings.com.
HORMEL SQUARE TABLE Slow Simmered Beef Roast Au Jus & Savory Sauce Refrigerated Entrée, 15 Oz.
- Includes one 15 ounce tray of hearty, wholesome beef roast smothered in au jus and savory sauce.
- No need to worry about getting dinner ready for a hungry family with the trusted taste of this hassle-free homestyle meal.
- This entrée dish can be served with an assortment of vegetables, over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or as an open-faced sandwich.
- From refrigerator to table in five minutes with no prep necessary for a quick and tasty protein-packed centerpiece to dinner.
- No preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, or artificial ingredients.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What is the best cut of beef for a slow cooker stew?
The best cuts are tough, well-exercised muscles with a lot of connective tissue, like chuck roast, brisket, or short ribs. These cuts break down over long, slow cooking, becoming incredibly tender and flavorful. Leaner cuts like sirloin will dry out and become tough in a slow cooker.
Why is chuck roast the most recommended cut?
Chuck roast is the top choice because it has the perfect balance of meat, fat, and collagen. As it cooks, the fat and collagen melt into the meat, creating a rich, succulent texture and a deeply flavorful gravy. It is also widely available and relatively affordable, offering excellent value.
How does brisket compare to chuck roast for stewing?
While both are excellent, brisket is a leaner cut with a distinct, rich, beefy flavor. It will yield a slightly less ‘fall-apart’ texture than chuck but is still incredibly tender when cooked correctly. Brisket is a fantastic option if you prefer a more pronounced beef flavor in your stew.
Should I buy bone-in or boneless meat for my stew?
For the richest, most flavorful stew, bone-in cuts like short ribs or a bone-in chuck roast are superior. The bones release marrow and gelatin during cooking, adding immense depth and body to your broth. However, boneless options are more convenient and easier to serve, though you may need to add extra flavorings.
What features should I look for when buying the beef?
Look for meat with a good amount of white marbling running through it, as this fat will render and keep the meat moist. A deep red color indicates freshness, and some visible connective tissue is actually a good sign for slow cooking. Selecting a piece with a consistent thickness will ensure it cooks evenly.
Is it worth buying a more expensive cut like short ribs?
Short ribs are a premium choice that delivers an exceptionally luxurious and gelatinous texture, creating a very rich stew. They are more expensive than chuck but offer a unique, decadent eating experience. For a special occasion or when you want a truly gourmet result, they are absolutely worth the investment.
What’s the best value cut for a flavorful stew?
A standard boneless chuck roast offers the best overall value for a classic, delicious stew. It provides the ideal texture and flavor at a budget-friendly price point. If you find chuck eye roast or a chuck steak on sale, these are also excellent, cost-effective alternatives.