Slow Cooker Pumpkin Beef Stew

Introduction

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food for cool weather, blending savory, hearty beef with the naturally sweet, velvety taste of pumpkin. This meal simmers all day for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and a depth of flavor that’s both surprising and satisfying. It’s an easy, hands-off recipe that serves a crowd, perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed Sunday dinners.

Why This Slow Cooker Pumpkin Beef Stew Is a Must-Try

This recipe elevates a classic beef stew by adding pumpkin—giving the broth a rich, slightly sweet undertone that pairs beautifully with the robust flavors of beef and the aromatic array of spices. The addition of pumpkin not only enhances the stew’s flavor but also boosts its nutrition, making this dish a comforting, one-pot meal everyone will love.

Choosing the Best Pumpkin for Your Stew

For the most flavor, use fresh sugar pumpkin or pie pumpkin if available—peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes. If you’re short on time, canned pumpkin puree works well too, thickening the stew and imparting its signature color and taste. Whichever option you choose, the pumpkin blends seamlessly with carrots, potatoes, and tender beef chunks.

Layering Flavors in the Slow Cooker

Start by browning your beef for extra depth; then let the slow cooker do the rest. Add aromatic vegetables like onions, garlic, and celery, pile in your diced pumpkin, and pour in beef broth spiced with thyme, bay leaf, and a pinch of cinnamon for an unexpected warmth. Let everything cook on low and slow for hours until it’s rich, hearty, and ridiculously easy to serve.

Serving Suggestions for a Cozy Meal

Serve this Pumpkin Beef Stew piping hot with rustic bread or over fluffy mashed potatoes. A sprinkle of fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon brighten the stew beautifully. For a complete fall-inspired meal, pair with a simple green salad and a crisp apple cider.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 hearty servings. Each serving is packed with protein and vitamin-rich vegetables, usually delivering around 380–420 calories (depending on the cut of beef and whether you use fresh or canned pumpkin). It’s a wholesome, filling option you can feel good about enjoying.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches until all sides are seared; transfer the beef to your slow cooker.
2. Add the onion and garlic to the same skillet and sauté for 2–3 minutes until slightly softened. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute more, then transfer everything to the slow cooker.
3. To the slow cooker, add pumpkin cubes (or puree), carrots, potatoes, celery, thyme, cinnamon, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce (if using). Stir gently to combine.
4. Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft.
5. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in peas if using. Discard bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.

Weekly Meal Planning

This slow cooker stew is ideal for batch-cooking and meal prepping—make a big pot, then portion leftovers for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week. Because it’s filled with vegetables, protein, and complex flavors, it stands alone as a full meal or can be paired easily with different side dishes.

Save and schedule this recipe to seamlessly add it to your week’s meal plan and generate a consolidated shopping list.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically tallies total ingredient quantities across all planned meals
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery store section to speed up shopping trips
• Helps prevent duplicate purchases and missing ingredients
• Simplifies your weekly prep and keeps your meal plan organized

Pro tip: When scheduling several recipes for your week, schedule all your meals together to reveal overlapping ingredients (such as carrots or potatoes), ensuring precise quantities and less waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 7–8 hours (low) or 4–5 hours (high)
Total Time: 8 hours (max, including prep)

Enjoy the comfort and convenience of Slow Cooker Pumpkin Beef Stew—a flavorful, cozy meal that practically cooks itself!