There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of beef stew on a chilly Midwest evening. When the days get shorter and the air turns crisp, this Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Beef Stew becomes a go-to comfort meal. It’s hearty, rich, and unbelievably easy to make—perfect for those busy weekdays when you want something homemade without spending hours in the kitchen. With just four simple ingredients, you can have a dinner that tastes like it’s been passed down for generations.

The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity. All you need is 2 pounds of beef stew meat, a packet of onion soup mix, a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, and a cup of beef broth. Place the beef in your slow cooker, sprinkle the soup mix over the top, add the mushroom soup and broth, and give it all a gentle stir. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, and you’ll be rewarded with melt-in-your-mouth beef in a rich, flavorful gravy.

To make it your own, you can add a few extras without losing the recipe’s easy charm. Minced garlic or a splash of Worcestershire sauce will deepen the flavor. If you want a heartier stew, toss in chopped carrots and potatoes—they’ll cook perfectly alongside the beef. For a thicker gravy, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and stir it in during the last hour of cooking.

Serve your stew piping hot with a crusty loaf of bread or buttery mashed potatoes to soak up every drop of gravy. A crisp green salad or steamed vegetables adds freshness, while a glass of red wine turns it into a cozy, restaurant-worthy dinner at home. Simple, satisfying, and soul-warming—this beef stew is proof that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated.