Imagine coming home to the incredible aroma of a rich, savory stew that has been simmering to perfection all day. This Slow Cooker Mediterranean Beef Stew recipe makes that dream a reality. It’s an easy, dump-and-go meal packed with tender beef, hearty vegetables, and the vibrant, sun-drenched flavors of the Mediterranean. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special weekend meal, this dish is pure comfort in a bowl.
Ready to serve! A sprinkle of feta and parsley makes all the difference.
Why This is the Best Mediterranean Beef Stew
Unlike other recipes, this one focuses on building deep, authentic flavors. We use a classic combination of red wine, Kalamata olives, and a specific blend of herbs to create a stew that’s both rustic and elegant. The slow cooker does all the work, breaking down the beef until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender and allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. It’s a truly unforgettable meal that tastes like it came from a seaside taverna.
The Key Ingredients for Authentic Mediterranean Flavor
The magic of this Slow Cooker Mediterranean Beef Stew lies in its simple yet powerful ingredients. Each component is chosen to contribute a layer of flavor, creating a complex and satisfying dish.
Beef Chuck Roast: This cut is ideal for slow cooking. Its marbling renders down over time, resulting in incredibly tender, juicy meat.
Red Wine: A dry red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot deglazes the pan and adds incredible depth to the stew’s base.
Diced Tomatoes: Fire-roasted tomatoes offer a subtle smokiness and a robust, sweet flavor that forms the heart of the sauce.
Kalamata Olives: These bring a briny, fruity bite that is quintessentially Mediterranean.
Feta Cheese: Crumbled at the end, feta provides a creamy, tangy finish that cuts through the richness of the stew.
Herbs: A classic combination of dried oregano and rosemary, along with fresh parsley, infuses the stew with aromatic, earthy notes.
Making this crockpot beef stew is incredibly simple. The process involves a quick sear for the beef to lock in flavor, followed by a long, slow simmer in the crockpot where all the magic happens.
Step 1: Sear the Beef
Pat the beef cubes dry with a paper towel and season them generously with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, ensuring you don’t overcrowd the pan. This step is crucial for developing a deep, savory crust. Once browned, transfer the beef to your slow cooker.
The perfect comfort food: rich, tender, and loaded with flavor.
Step 3: Combine and Slow Cook
Pour the vegetable and wine mixture over the beef in the slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, oregano, and rosemary. Stir everything together until well combined. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fall-apart tender.
About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the Kalamata olives. Just before serving, stir in the fresh parsley. Ladle the stew into bowls and top with a generous sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese. Enjoy!
Tips for the Perfect Stew Every Time
A few simple tips can elevate your stew from great to absolutely spectacular.
Don’t Skip the Sear: Browning the beef is essential. It creates the Maillard reaction, which develops complex flavors that you can’t get from just simmering.
Use Quality Ingredients: Since the ingredient list is simple, the quality of each one shines through. Use a wine you’d enjoy drinking and good quality beef broth.
Low and Slow is Key: For the most tender beef, cooking on the low setting for a longer period is always better. It gives the connective tissues in the beef chuck ample time to break down.
This Slow Cooker Mediterranean Beef Stew is an easy, flavor-packed meal with tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich, savory sauce infused with red wine, olives, and herbs. The perfect set-and-forget dinner for any night of the week.
Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef in a single layer (work in batches if necessary) and brown on all sides. Transfer the seared beef to the bowl of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
To the same skillet, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
Pour the red wine into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker.
Add the diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, dried oregano, and dried rosemary to the slow cooker. Stir everything together until well combined.
Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and falling apart.
Stir in the halved Kalamata olives and fresh parsley during the last 30 minutes of cooking. To serve, ladle the stew into bowls and top with crumbled feta cheese.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 38gFat: 25gFiber: 4g
Notes
Don't Skip the Sear: Browning the beef creates a deep, rich flavor base for the stew. Wine Substitute: If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute with an equal amount of extra beef broth. Storage: Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
We hope you loved this rich and hearty beef stew. For more dinner inspiration, explore some of our other favorite dishes! We know you’ll find something new to love. Don’t forget to save your favorites to Pinterest!
Save this easy and flavorful Slow Cooker Mediterranean Beef Stew recipe for your next cozy dinner night!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
