Name: Honey Balsamic Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 7 h
Total time: 7 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound baby potatoes (halved); 3 large carrots (peeled and cut into ¾” pieces); 1 rib celery (cut into ½” pieces); ½ medium onion (cut into ½” pieces); 1 pound round steak (cut into 1″ pieces); 1 cup low-sodium beef broth; ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar; ⅓ cup honey; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 3 cloves garlic (finely minced); 1 teaspoon seasoning salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper

If you’re craving a cozy, hearty meal that practically cooks itself, you’re going to adore this Honey Balsamic Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe. I absolutely love how each bite balances the sweetness of honey with the tangy depth of balsamic vinegar, all melting perfectly into tender beef and veggies. When I first made this, I couldn’t believe how simple it was—just prep, set, and come back to a comforting dinner that my whole family went crazy for. Keep reading because I’m sharing all my tips to help you nail this stew every time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Set It and Forget It: Toss everything in your slow cooker in the morning, then come home to a rich, flavorful stew without any extra work.
Perfect Flavor Balance: The honey gives just the right touch of sweetness, while balsamic vinegar brings a tangy depth that elevates typical beef stew flavors.
Tender Beef Every Time: Slow cooking ensures your beef turns melt-in-your-mouth tender, even if you use a budget-friendly cut like round steak.
Family Favorite: This recipe has become a Sunday dinner staple in my house because it pleases kids and adults alike.

A white oval-shaped bowl filled with a rich brown stew that has chunks of tender beef, halved red and yellow baby potatoes, and thick slices of bright orange carrots, all coated in a glossy, thick brown sauce. The stew is sprinkled with small bits of chopped green herbs for garnish. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl, partially submerged in the stew. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Honey Balsamic Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe combines simple, everyday ingredients that work beautifully together to create a hearty, flavorful meal. Pro tip: picking fresh veggies and quality round steak can make a noticeable difference in the stew’s taste and texture.

Baby potatoes: I love using halved baby potatoes because they cook evenly without falling apart and soak up all those amazing flavors.
Round steak: A budget-friendly cut that becomes super tender in the slow cooker, making it perfect for this stew.
Carrots: Fresh, peeled, and cut into chunks to add a subtle sweetness and vibrant color.
Celery: Adds a subtle earthiness and crunch that complements the beef and veggies.
Onion: Just a bit gives a savory base note that ties everything together.
Low-sodium beef broth: Essential for a rich stew base; low sodium lets you control seasoning.
Balsamic vinegar: The star of the show for tangy brightness balanced by honey’s sweetness.
Honey: I use this to add a natural sweetness and depth without overpowering the stew.
Tomato paste: Boosts tomato flavor and adds body to the sauce.
Cornstarch: Helps thicken the stew so it’s nice and cozy, not watery.
Worcestershire sauce: Packs in umami and boosts the savory notes.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a punch of flavor — I never skip it!
Seasoning salt: Adds balanced saltiness and a touch of extra seasoning.
Pepper: For that warming kick that rounds out the flavors.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of my favorite things about this Honey Balsamic Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I encourage you to adjust it to fit your tastes or what you have on hand—cooking should be fun, after all!

Vegetable Swaps: Sometimes I swap celery for mushrooms or add peas at the end of cooking for a fresh pop.
Spice it Up: If you love a little heat, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce—my family can’t get enough.
Gluten-Free Option: If you’re gluten intolerant, swap cornstarch for arrowroot powder to thicken the stew just the same.
Slow Cooker Time: For a faster meal, run your slow cooker on high for about 4 hours, but I find that low and slow really brings out the best flavor.

How to Make Honey Balsamic Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients

Start by prepping your veggies and beef—halving baby potatoes, peeling and chunking carrots, slicing celery and onion, and cutting your round steak into bite-sized pieces. Trust me, taking 10-15 minutes here saves you hassle later and helps all the flavors get cozy together.

Step 2: Layer Everything in the Slow Cooker

Add the potatoes, beef, carrots, celery, and onion directly into your 3- to 4-quart slow cooker. I like layering heavier veggies like potatoes and carrots at the bottom so they cook evenly with the beef on top.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together your beef broth, balsamic vinegar, honey, tomato paste, cornstarch, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, seasoning salt, and pepper until smooth. This sauce really brings the magic—make sure to whisk until the tomato paste is fully dissolved to avoid lumps.

Step 4: Pour Sauce and Cook Low & Slow

Pour the sauce mixture over the meat and veggies. Give everything a gentle stir just to combine, then cover your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours—this is where the beef goes from tough to tender, and all those flavors develop beautifully.

Step 5: Final Taste and Adjust Seasonings

Before serving, taste your stew and adjust the seasoning if needed—maybe a pinch more salt or pepper here and there. Sometimes I like a little extra drizzle of honey or balsamic vinegar at this point to brighten things up.

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Pro Tips for Making Honey Balsamic Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

Choose the Right Cut: I’ve found round steak works wonders—it’s affordable and gets so tender when cooked low and slow.
Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: Skipping the cornstarch can leave your stew watery; whisk it in well with the sauce so your stew thickens perfectly.
Add Veggies Mindfully: If you want firmer veggies, add carrots and celery halfway through cooking instead of at the start.
Adjust Sweetness Last: The honey balances the tang, so if your stew tastes too sharp, a touch more honey at the end saves the day.

How to Serve Honey Balsamic Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

The image shows a white shallow bowl filled with a rich beef stew. The stew has large, chunky pieces of brown beef and thick slices of orange carrots, along with big chunks of golden potatoes and translucent onion pieces. The stew liquid is dark brown and glossy, coating all the ingredients, with some green herb bits sprinkled on top. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl on the right side. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with a folded cloth napkin with black stripes on the left and some green leafy garnish in the upper right corner. Part of a biscuit can be seen at the top left edge. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love sprinkling fresh chopped parsley or thyme over the stew for a pop of color and freshness—trust me, it brightens every bowl! Sometimes, I add a dollop of sour cream or a swirl of crème fraîche for extra creaminess that my family can’t resist.

Side Dishes

This stew is a meal on its own, but if you want to round it out, crusty bread or buttery mashed potatoes are perfect for soaking up all that luscious sauce. I’ve also served it with simple steamed green beans or a fresh garden salad to add some crunch and a splash of brightness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy dinner party, I like serving this Honey Balsamic Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe in mini bread bowls—your guests love the rustic charm, and it adds a fun twist. You can also ladle it over buttery egg noodles for a comforting, plated meal that feels extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge and taste even better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld. I usually portion it out and have easy lunches ready for the week.

Freezing

This stew freezes wonderfully—just cool it completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. When I freeze it, I leave out the potatoes and add fresh ones when reheating for a better texture.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If it’s too thick, I add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen it up. Microwave works fine too—just cover to keep moisture in and heat evenly.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef for this stew?

Absolutely! While round steak works great and is budget-friendly, you can also use chuck roast or stew meat. Just make sure the cut is good for slow cooking and cut into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
How do I prevent the stew from becoming too sweet?

The sweetness comes from the honey, balanced by balsamic vinegar. If you find it too sweet, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash more balsamic vinegar before serving to brighten the flavors.
Can I make this stew in an Instant Pot?

You sure can! Use the sauté mode to brown the beef first, then add all ingredients and cook under high pressure for about 35-40 minutes, followed by a natural release. Remember to adjust broth amounts slightly if needed.
Is it okay to add more vegetables?

Definitely! Feel free to toss in extra veggies like mushrooms, parsnips, or even green beans. Just consider their cooking times—add more delicate vegetables later in the cooking process to prevent them from becoming mushy.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Balsamic Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it takes the fuss out of cooking while delivering incredible flavors. I love sharing it with friends who want a satisfying, homey meal without spending hours in the kitchen. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making (and devouring!) this stew as much as I do. Give it a try, and let it become your next comforting go-to!