Simple Savory Crock Pot Stew Beef and Gravy

Weight Watchers Recipe of the Day: Crock Pot Stew Beef and Gravy

It’s been unseasonably cold and damp here in Phoenix, the kind of weather that calls for something warm, rich, and deeply satisfying. Lately, I’ve been craving the kind of comfort food that wraps you up like a cozy blanket.

That’s when I remembered Mom’s classic stew beef and gravy—a recipe that is all about tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef bathed in a savory, velvety gravy. I decided to adapt it for the slow cooker, letting the magic happen while the rich aroma fills the kitchen.

It is pure comfort in a bowl, perfect for those chilly, gray days that call for hearty, soul-soothing meals.

This delicious Crock Pot Stew Beef and Gravy is a nostalgic favorite brought back to life.

Growing up, stew beef with gravy was a regular at our dinner table—my dad could never resist a plate of tender meat and creamy mashed potatoes.

Mom’s recipe was simple yet satisfying: lean chunks of stew beef browned with chopped onion, simmered until irresistibly tender, and finished with a silky gravy thickened with a basic slurry of flour and water.

Her secret touch? A few drops of Gravy Master (affiliate link). If you’ve never used it, Gravy Master (affiliate link) is a liquid browning and seasoning (similar to Kitchen Bouquet) that comes in a distinctive orange-capped glass bottle. For Mom, it was non-negotiable—her go-to for adding depth and richness to stews and gravies.

Every time I reach for that little bottle, I’m transported straight back to her kitchen—the comforting aroma of simmering beef, the clinking of her favorite wooden spoon (affiliate link) against the pot, and the warmth of family dinners around the table.

Do you have any special foods or ingredients that bring back treasured memories like that? I’d love to hear about them!

How Many Calories and WW Points in Crock Pot Stew Beef with Gravy?

According to my calculations each serving has 201 calories and 1 WW Point.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)

5 PointsPlus (Old plan)

Ingredients

• Chopped onion – Yellow onion works best, but white or sweet onions can be substituted. Use onion powder if fresh isn’t available (about 1 teaspoon).
• Olive oil – Any neutral oil will work.
• Extra lean stew beef (cut into 1-inch cubes) – Pre-cut stew meat is convenient, but you can cube a round roast if your prefer. Swap with boneless chicken thighs for a lighter option.
• Salt and Pepper – Essential for seasoning. For added flavor, try garlic salt, seasoned salt or a pinch of smoked paprika.
• Beef Broth – Low-sodium broth is ideal. I used water and jarred Better Than Bouillon paste. Beef Bouillon cubes and water would also work just fine.
• Flour– Thickens the gravy. Substitute with cornstarch (1 to 2 tablespoons) or a gluten-free flour blend if needed.
• Gravy Master Browning and Seasoning (optional) – Adds rich color and flavor. Substitute with Kitchen Bouquet, soy sauce, or Worcestershire sauce for a similar effect.

How To Cook CrockPot Stew Beef & Gravy Step by Step

Step 1: Gather and prep your ingredients. (Ideal Slow Cooker Size: 4-Quart)

Step 2: Soften the onions: Place the oil in a skillet set over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often until the onion is golden and softened, about 5 minutes. Scrape the onion into the slow cooker.

Step 3: Brown the Beef: Pat dry the beef with paper towels and then season it with the salt and pepper. Add it to the skillet in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook, just until the sides are browned, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. (The meat will still be raw in the middle.)

Step 3: Slow Cook: Scrape the meat into the slow cooker. Add the water, bouillon and flour to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until thickened 2 to 3 minutes. Pour over the meat. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or until the meat is fork tender. If desired, stir in 1-2 drops of Gravy Master Browning and Seasoning at the end.

Recipe Notes and Variations

I added a couple of drops of Gravy Master Browning and Seasoning at the end, which is totally optional, since it can be hard to find outside of New England. Don’t worry, your Crock Pot Stew Beef and Gravy will still be delicious without it. or you might try a splash of soy sauce, or Worcestershire sauce for a similar effect.

Possible Flavorful Additions – minced fresh garlic, granulated garlic or garlic powder, bay leaves, tomato paste, dried thyme, rosemary, or oregano.

Possible Vegetable Additions – turn this into more of a beef stew with the addition of vegetables like carrots, potatoes, mushrooms and/or peas.

Crock Pot Stew Beef and Gravy Serving Ideas

Serve over rice, noodles, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, or if you are taking it easy on the carbs, zucchini noodles or riced cauliflower. You can also serve this delectable beef over a baked potato or alongside roasted potatoes.

It would also be good over toast or with a little crusty bread alongside. Roasted vegetables and green salad (like this spinach orange salad) are other delicious companions.

Ways to Repurpose Leftovers

1. Beef and Rice Bowls

Serve the beef and gravy over cooked rice (brown, white, or cauliflower rice) and add steamed veggies for a quick and hearty meal.

2. Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff

Stir in some Greek yogurt or light sour cream, and serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes for a stroganoff-style dish.

3. Open-Faced Beef Sandwiches

Toast a slice of sourdough or whole-grain bread, pile on the beef, and drizzle with gravy. Add a side salad for a balanced meal.

4. Beef Pot Pie

Use refrigerated biscuit dough, puff pastry, or even Kodiak Cakes mix (affiliate link) to make a simple beef pot pie. Mix in frozen peas and carrots, top with dough, and bake until golden.

5. Beef and Gravy Baked Potatoes

Spoon the beef and gravy over a baked potato (or a baked sweet potato) and top with cheese or Greek yogurt.

6. Beef and Barley Soup

Thin out the beef and gravy with broth, add barley, diced carrots, and celery, and simmer for a comforting soup.

7. Shepherd’s Pie

Mix the beef and gravy with frozen mixed vegetables. Layer in a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes, and bake until golden brown.

This is the kind of Weight Watchers friendly meal that will please young and old alike. Enjoy!

If you’ve made this Slow Cooked Stew Beef and Gravy, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

Source: adapted from Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes (affiliate link) by Phyllis Good

More Easy and Delicious Beef Recipes for WW

• Just stir together a can of cream of mushroom soup and package of dry onion soup mix to create a delicious savory gravy for your Delicious Slow Cooker Pot Roast and vegetables to simmer away in!
• Lean beef roast and onions combined with balsamic vinegar, tomato paste and a bit of instant tapioca for thickening, Savory Slow Cooker Balsamic Braised Beef is delicious.
• There is no browning required, so this Slow Cooker Asian Braised Beef is really easy to make – but you do need to marinate the meat overnight. We enjoyed this with sticky rice to soak up the yummy sauce!

Helpful Articles & Tips for WeightWatchers

• A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the WeightWatchers Program
• A Comprehensive List of Articles & Tips for WeightWatchers
• What Foods Should I Eat in a Day on WeightWatchers
• WeightWatchers Zero Points Foods List
• WeightWatchers Friendly Meal Plans
• Why We Are More Motivated the Closer We Get to Our Goals – Another powerful WW Weekly Workshop Topic.