Comparison: How To Make The Best Slow Cooker Beef Stew (Updated | Dec 9th)
There’s something magical about coming home to the aroma of a perfectly simmered beef stew that’s been slow-cooking all day. But what separates a mediocre stew from the extraordinary one that has everyone asking for your recipe? The secret lies not just in your ingredients, but in how you prepare them and which slow cooker you use. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything from selecting the right cut of beef to choosing vegetables that hold their shape, plus we’ll compare the best slow cookers that transform simple ingredients into a rich, comforting meal that tastes like it simmered for hours—even when you’ve barely spent any time in the kitchen.
- Best for flavorful stew starter: McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
- Best for bulk stew seasoning: McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
- Best for hearty stew base: Orrington Farms Slow Cookers Seasoning
- Best for bulk stew flavor: Orrington Farms Seasoning Slow Cooker Veg Beef Stew
- Best for convenient stew mix: Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Stew Mix-6 packages
- Best for italian beef flavor: Orrington Farms Beef Slow Cooker Mix
- Best for rich beef seasoning: Crockery Gourmet Seasoning Mix for Beef
- Best for braising techniques guide: How to Braise Everything: Classic
- Best for large gathering cooker: Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker
- Best for programmable xl cooker: Elite Gourmet MST-900D 8.5Qt Digital Programmable XL Jumbo Slow Cooker
Product Comparison: How To Make The Best Slow Cooker Beef Stew
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
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
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.
Crockery Gourmet Seasoning Mix for Beef, Powdered Seasoning with Added Beef Flavor for Slow Cooker Meals, Just Add Mix, 2.5-Ounce Packets (Pack of 3 Packets)
- Crockery Gourmet Seasoning Mix for Beef, 2.5 oz Packet
- Easy to prepare meals for your slow cooker, just add seasoning mix
- Each packet contains about 10 servings
- Powdered seasoning that adds delicious beef flavor to all of your favorite, slow-cooked meals
- Add the mix to whatever your crock pot is cooking for a meal the whole family will love
How to Braise Everything: Classic, Modern, and Global Dishes Using a Time-Honored Technique
Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker, Extra Large 10 Quart, Stay or Go Portable With Lid Lock, Dishwasher Safe Crock, Black (33195)
- PERFECT FOR A LARGE GATHERING: The 10 quart slow cooker lets you cook enough food for a gathering of 12 or more people and fits a 10 lb. turkey or a 12 lb. roast.
- REDUCE SPILLS: The lid clips tightly to the slow cooker handles to reduce messy spills when transporting food. Carry hot meals to family gatherings, potlucks or to serve at the table without worrying about spills.
- COOK FLAVORFUL MEALS WITH MINIMAL EFFORT: This Hamilton Beach slow cooker has simple controls that make it easy for you to create flavorful meals with minimal effort and great results. Just turn the dial. No watching needed.
- MAINTAIN THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE WITH 3 HEAT SETTINGS: Just turn the dial to choose from 3 heat settings. Cook your meal on Low or High, and then switch to Warm when cooking is complete for food that’s warm and ready when it’s time to eat.
- EASY TO CARRY WITH FULL-GRIP HANDLES: The large slow cooker is easy to lift and hold onto when carrying to the table to serve a meal or when taking food to gatherings.
- SIMPLE TO CLEAN: The removable stoneware crock and glass lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Elite Gourmet MST-900D 8.5Qt Digital Programmable XL Jumbo Slow Cooker, Adjustable Temp, Entrees, Sauces, Stews & Dips, Dishwasher Safe Glass Lid & Crock, Stainless Steel
- FEED THE MASSES with this 8.5qt slow cooker. Perfectly sized for a large turkey breast or beef roast, you can be assured of having plenty for drop-in guests or as leftovers for the next day’s lunches.
- JUMBO OVAL slow cooker makes cooking fork-tender roasts and poultry a breeze. Cool-touch handles and interface protect hands from burns and allow you to safely transport your slow cooker.
- PROGRAMMABLE UP TO 20 HOURS with versatile Low / High / Keep Warm settings, gives you ultimate control of meal preparation. Simply set it and forget it while you entertain guests or prepare other dishes.
- FAST, EASY CLEAN-UP with our dishwasher-safe clear tempered glass lid and removable oval crock. The brushed stainless steel heating unit can be wiped clean with a damp cloth to maintain its pristine appearance.
- ETL LISTED 300 watt large slow cooker is ideal for home kitchen use. With its elegant brushed stainless steel finish and 8.5 quart removable stoneware pot, it makes a thoughtful housewarming or wedding gift.
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 seasoning mixes?
McCormick offers a classic hearty beef stew flavor with black pepper, paprika, and thyme, while Orrington Farms provides more variety with their Vegetable Beef Stew and Italian Beef options. Orrington Farms also offers larger serving sizes per packet (8-10 servings) compared to McCormick’s standard 1.5 oz packets. Orrington Farms products are typically gluten-free and contain no artificial flavors or colors, making them a good choice for those with dietary restrictions.
Which seasoning mix offers the best value for money?
The bulk packs from both McCormick (Pack of 12) and Orrington Farms (Value Pack of 12) offer excellent value for frequent stew makers. Orrington Farms provides slightly larger packets (2.5 oz vs 1.5 oz) and more servings per packet, potentially offering better value. For the most economical option, the Orrington Farms Seasoning Slow Cooker Veg Beef Stew comes in a total of 24 packets, providing the most quantity for your money.
Do I need a special slow cooker to make beef stew, or will any model work?
You don’t need a special slow cooker specifically for beef stew, as any standard model will work with the recommended cooking times of 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. Larger slow cookers like the Hamilton Beach 10 Quart or Elite Gourmet 8.5Qt models are ideal if you’re making big batches for gatherings or meal prep. The key features to look for are reliable temperature control and a secure lid to maintain moisture during the long cooking process.
Are there any health considerations when choosing between these seasoning mixes?
All the seasoning mixes mentioned are free from artificial flavors, with McCormick specifically noting zero trans fats and Orrington Farms highlighting their gluten-free options. Both brands use natural ingredients and avoid MSG, making them suitable for health-conscious consumers. Orrington Farms explicitly mentions their products contain no artificial colors and use sea salt rather than regular table salt, which might be preferable for those monitoring their sodium intake.
How do the cooking instructions differ between the various seasoning mixes?
Most seasoning mixes follow a similar pattern of combining the seasoning with water and adding it to beef and vegetables in the slow cooker for 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. McCormick suggests a simple recipe with just water, beef, carrots, potatoes, and onions, while Orrington Farms provides more detailed recipes including specific vegetable quantities and sometimes additional ingredients like canned diced tomatoes. Some Orrington Farms mixes can also be used for other dishes like Italian beef sandwiches, offering more versatility in the kitchen.
What size slow cooker is best for making beef stew?
For a standard family-sized beef stew, a 4-6 quart slow cooker is typically sufficient, but larger models like the Hamilton Beach 10 Quart or Elite Gourmet 8.5Qt offer more flexibility for bigger batches. Consider your household size and whether you plan to make extra for leftovers when choosing your slow cooker size. The oval shape of the Elite Gourmet model is particularly well-suited for cooking larger cuts of meat that might be part of your beef stew recipe.
Can these seasoning mixes be used in appliances other than slow cookers?
Yes, McCormick specifically mentions that their seasoning mix can be used in an Instant Pot, with meals ready in approximately 30 minutes. While other brands don’t explicitly mention alternative cooking methods, most seasoning blends can be adapted for stovetop cooking or pressure cookers with appropriate time adjustments. The key is to ensure the meat becomes tender and the flavors have time to meld, regardless of the cooking method.
What are the key features to look for in a slow cooker specifically for making beef stew?
For optimal beef stew results, look for a slow cooker with reliable temperature control and at least low and high settings. A model with a keep warm function like the Hamilton Beach or Elite Gourmet is valuable for maintaining serving temperature once cooking is complete. A secure lid is essential to prevent moisture loss during the long cooking process, and cool-touch handles make transportation safer when bringing your stew to the table.
How many servings can I expect from each seasoning packet?
McCormick’s standard 1.5 oz packet typically serves 4-6 people, while Orrington Farms’ larger 2.5 oz packets yield approximately 8-10 servings per pouch. The Crockery Gourmet Seasoning Mix also provides about 10 servings per packet. If you’re cooking for a larger family or want leftovers, consider the bulk pack options from either brand, which provide multiple packets and better value for frequent use.