Comparison: Best Slow Cooker Beef Stew (Updated | Dec 9th)
Nothing beats the comforting aroma of a hearty beef stew simmering away, filling your home with warmth and anticipation. But the secret to truly tender, flavor-rich meat doesn’t just lie in your recipe—it starts with the right slow cooker. With so many options on the market, from basic models to high-tech programmable appliances, choosing the perfect one can transform your stew from good to absolutely unforgettable. We’ve tested and compared the top contenders to help you find the ideal companion for creating that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth beef stew that will have everyone asking for seconds.
- Best for bulk stew starter: McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
- Best for classic stew flavor: McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
- Best for gluten-free stew base: Orrington Farms Slow Cookers Seasoning
- Best for simple stew mix: Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Stew Mix-6 packages
- Best for value stew seasoning: Orrington Farms Seasoning Slow Cooker Veg Beef Stew
- Best for pasture-raised beef: Beef Round Stew Meat Step 1
- Best for italian beef seasoning: Orrington Farms Beef Slow Cooker Mix
- Best for premium stew meat: Beef Chuck Stew Meat
- Best for beginner’s crock pot guide: The Ultimate Crock Pot Cookbook for Beginners: Easy and Flavorful Crock Pot Recipes for Breakfast
- Best for authentic british flavor: Schwartz Slow Cookers Beef & Ale Stew Recipe Mix (43g)
Product Comparison: Best Slow Cooker Beef Stew
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
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
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
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
Beef Round Stew Meat Step 1
- Meets standards for animal welfare, feed, and more, so you can know about what you’re buying (and eating)
- Traceable to farm or ranch
- Cattle spend at least 2/3 of life on pasture
- No animal by-products in feed
- Cattle spend at least 2/3 of life on pasture
Orrington Farms Beef Slow Cooker Mix, Italian, 2.1 Ounce (Pack of 12)
- Value Pack of 12; each pouch makes approx. 10 servings
- Make dinner easy with our slow cooker seasonings, perfect for any family meal
- Contains sea salt
- For Italian Beef: 1 cup water 1 pouch Orrington Farms Italian Beef Seasoning 3 lbs chuck roast.** MIX water with 1 pouch Italian Beef Seasoning in a small bowl until completely combined. PLACE meat in slow cooker; pour sauce over. COVER and COOK on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours until beef is tender.
- Yield: About 10 sandwiches with 3 oz meat and 1/4 cup juice/sauce each. **Follow safe handling practices and cook meat thoroughly.
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
The Ultimate Crock Pot Cookbook for Beginners: Easy and Flavorful Crock Pot Recipes for Breakfast, Vegetables, Snacks, Beef, Pork, Fish, Seafood, Desserts, Soups & Stews | Perfect for Families
Schwartz Slow Cookers Beef & Ale Stew Recipe Mix (43g)
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 are the main differences between McCormick and Orrington Farms beef stew seasoning mixes?
McCormick focuses on a traditional hearty beef stew flavor with black pepper, paprika, and thyme, while Orrington Farms offers more variety including vegetable beef and Italian flavors. Orrington Farms seasoning packets are slightly larger (2.5 oz vs 1.5 oz) and typically make more servings per packet. Both brands offer MSG-free options with no artificial flavors, but Orrington Farms explicitly mentions being gluten-free in their vegetable beef stew mix.
Which seasoning mix offers the best value for money?
The Orrington Farms Vegetable Beef Stew seasoning in the 24-pack (ASIN B00BCUWDJI) offers the best value for those who frequently make beef stew. Each packet makes approximately 8 servings, and the bulk packaging reduces the cost per serving significantly. McCormick’s 12-pack is also a good value option, but each packet is smaller and makes fewer servings than the Orrington Farms option.
Are these seasoning mixes suitable for special dietary needs?
Both McCormick and Orrington Farms offer options suitable for various dietary needs. Orrington Farms Vegetable Beef Stew mix is explicitly labeled as gluten-free with no artificial flavors or colors. McCormick’s Hearty Beef Stew mix contains no MSG or artificial flavors and is low-cholesterol diet friendly. However, if you have specific dietary restrictions, it’s always best to check the full ingredient list on the packaging before purchasing.
Can I use these seasoning mixes in appliances other than a slow cooker?
Yes, McCormick specifically mentions that their seasoning mix can be used in an Instant Pot, with the meal ready in approximately 30 minutes. While Orrington Farms doesn’t explicitly mention other cooking methods, their seasoning mixes can likely be adapted for stovetop or oven cooking with adjusted cooking times. For best results when using alternative cooking methods, follow the basic recipe instructions but adjust cooking times according to your appliance’s specifications.
How many servings can I expect from each seasoning packet?
The number of servings varies by brand and product. Orrington Farms Vegetable Beef Stew mix makes approximately 8 servings per 2.5 oz packet, while their Italian Beef mix makes about 10 servings per 2.1 oz packet. McCormick’s 1.5 oz packet size typically makes 4-6 servings of beef stew, depending on how much meat and vegetables you add to the recipe.
What kind of beef works best with these seasoning mixes?
Both McCormick and Orrington Farms recommend using beef stew meat for their seasoning mixes. The products listed include beef round stew meat and beef chuck stew meat, both of which are excellent choices for slow cooking as they become tender and flavorful during the long cooking process. For best results, choose well-marbled cuts of beef that will break down nicely during the slow cooking process.
Are these seasoning mixes suitable for someone new to cooking?
Yes, these seasoning mixes are perfect for beginners as they take the guesswork out of seasoning. Both McCormick and Orrington Farms provide simple, clear instructions that typically involve mixing the seasoning with water and adding it to the slow cooker with meat and vegetables. The mixes contain a balanced blend of spices that ensure a flavorful result without requiring extensive knowledge of herbs and spices.
Can I customize these beef stew mixes with additional ingredients?
Absolutely! While these seasoning mixes are designed to create a delicious base, you can easily customize your stew with additional ingredients. Consider adding red wine for depth, mushrooms for earthiness, or different vegetables based on your preferences. You can also adjust the thickness of the stew by adding more or less liquid, or by thickening with a cornstarch slurry at the end of cooking.
