Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Beef Stew

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Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Beef Stew

Serves: 6
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 4 hours

This isn’t your average beef stew, it’s got a secret ingredient that brings the flavor to life!

Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Beef Stew is rich, savory, and just the right amount of sweet.

Tender chunks of beef simmer all day in a bold, peppery gravy with potatoes, carrots, and a splash of Dr. Pepper that gives it a deep, caramelized flavor.

It’s comfort food with a twist, and your whole house will smell amazing while it cooks!

Beef stew with carrots, peas, and gravy served over mashed potatoes on a white plate, with a can of Dr Pepper in the background.

How To Make Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Beef Stew

Assorted ingredients for a beef stew recipe, including raw beef, chopped vegetables, beef broth, peas, tomato paste, seasonings, garlic, and a can of Dr. Pepper, arranged on a countertop.

Ingredients

  • 2-3 pounds stew beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 carrots cut into chunks
  • 3 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 stalks of celery, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 14.5 ounce can beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup Dr. Pepper
  • 2 (0.87 ounce) envelope low sodium brown gravy mix
  • 1 ounce packet beefy onion soup mix
Close-up of beef stew with carrots and peas served over mashed potatoes, garnished with parsley.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. To your slow cooker add the stew beef, onion, carrots, potatoes and celery.

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2. To a mixing bowl whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, Dr. Pepper, brown gravy mixes and beefy onion soup mix.

A glass measuring cup with a whisk inside contains a brown-orange sauce. Nearby are bowls of raw beef, chopped onions, and chopped carrots.

3. Pour the liquid mixture into the slow cooker and stir to combine.

Chunks of raw beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery in a slow cooker with broth, ready to be cooked.

4. Cover and cook on low 6 hours or high 4 hours until the vegetables are soft and meat is tender.

Beef stew with carrots, peas, and potatoes in a thick brown sauce inside a slow cooker.

5. Serve!

A ladle holding a serving of beef stew with potatoes and peas over a pot, with steam rising from the hot dish.
A plate of mashed potatoes topped with beef stew containing carrots, peas, and a thick brown gravy, served on a white dish.
A plate of mashed potatoes topped with beef stew, carrots, and peas sits on a red plaid napkin next to a wooden spoon, sliced bread, a glass, and a can of Dr. Pepper.

Tips & Tricks:

  • Brown the beef (optional): For even deeper flavor, you can sear the stew meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. It’s not required, but it does give it that rich, beefy depth.
  • Don’t over-stir: Stir just enough to combine, then leave it alone. Over-stirring during cooking can cause the potatoes to break down too much.
  • Use a liner: For easier cleanup, use a slow cooker liner, especially with thick stews like this one.
  • Thicken it, if needed: If you prefer a thicker stew, remove the lid during the last 30–45 minutes of cooking or mash a few potatoes into the broth at the end.
  • Cut veggies evenly: Try to keep the potato and carrot pieces similar in size so they cook at the same rate.
A plate of mashed potatoes topped with beef stew sits on a red checkered cloth, with a can of Dr Pepper, bread slices, and green glasses in the background.
A plate of mashed potatoes topped with beef stew and vegetables, with a can of Dr Pepper and bread in the background.

Substitutions:

  • Stew beef → Use chuck roast cut into chunks, or even sliced sirloin for a slightly leaner option.
  • Dr. Pepper → You can substitute with Coca-Cola, root beer, or even a splash of balsamic vinegar + brown sugar if you want to skip soda entirely.
  • Beef broth → Use vegetable broth or water with a bouillon cube in a pinch.
  • Brown gravy mix → Substitute with homemade gravy mix or a packet of au jus mix if needed.
  • Beefy onion soup mix → A regular onion soup mix will work just fine.
A serving of beef stew with carrots, peas, and potatoes in brown gravy is placed on top of mashed potatoes on a white plate.
A metal ladle holds a serving of thick, hearty stew with carrots and other vegetables above a pot.

Variations:

  • Make it spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce for a mild kick.
  • Add green beans or peas: Toss in frozen peas or green beans during the last hour of cooking for a little extra color and texture.
  • Turn it into a pie: Scoop leftovers into a baking dish, top with puff pastry or mashed potatoes, and bake for an easy beef pot pie.
  • Use sweet potatoes: Swap out the russets for sweet potatoes if you like a hint of sweetness and extra nutrients.
  • Serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles: Instead of as a stand-alone stew, spoon it over something starchy to make it stretch even further.
Close-up of beef stew with chunks of beef, carrots, peas, potatoes, and a thick brown gravy, garnished with chopped parsley.
A plate of mashed potatoes topped with stew sits on a red checkered cloth, next to sliced bread, a can of Dr Pepper, glass cups, and kitchenware in the background.

Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Beef Stew

Print Recipe
A plate of mashed potatoes topped with beef stew, garnished with parsley, beside sliced bread and a can of Dr Pepper on a red checkered cloth.
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:4 hours
Total Time:4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2-3 pounds stew beef
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 carrots cut into chunks
  • 3 russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 stalks of celery sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 14.5 ounce can beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup Dr. Pepper
  • 2 (0.87 ounce) envelope low sodium brown gravy mix
  • 1 ounce packet beefy onion soup mix

Instructions

  • To your slow cooker add the stew beef, onion, carrots, potatoes and celery.
  • To a mixing bowl whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, Dr. Pepper, brown gravy mixes and beefy onion soup mix.
  • Pour the liquid mixture into the slow cooker and stir to combine.
  • Cover and cook on low 6 hours or high 4 hours until the vegetables are soft and meat is tender.
  • Serve!

Notes

Tips & Tricks:

  • Brown the beef (optional): For even deeper flavor, you can sear the stew meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. It’s not required, but it does give it that rich, beefy depth.
  • Don’t over-stir: Stir just enough to combine, then leave it alone. Over-stirring during cooking can cause the potatoes to break down too much.
  • Use a liner: For easier cleanup, use a slow cooker liner, especially with thick stews like this one.
  • Thicken it, if needed: If you prefer a thicker stew, remove the lid during the last 30–45 minutes of cooking or mash a few potatoes into the broth at the end.
  • Cut veggies evenly: Try to keep the potato and carrot pieces similar in size so they cook at the same rate.

Substitutions:

  • Stew beef → Use chuck roast cut into chunks, or even sliced sirloin for a slightly leaner option.
  • Pepper → You can substitute with Coca-Cola, root beer, or even a splash of balsamic vinegar + brown sugar if you want to skip soda entirely.
  • Beef broth → Use vegetable broth or water with a bouillon cube in a pinch.
  • Brown gravy mix → Substitute with homemade gravy mix or a packet of au jus mix if needed.
  • Beefy onion soup mix → A regular onion soup mix will work just fine.

Variations:

  • Make it spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce for a mild kick.
  • Add green beans or peas: Toss in frozen peas or green beans during the last hour of cooking for a little extra color and texture.
  • Turn it into a pie: Scoop leftovers into a baking dish, top with puff pastry or mashed potatoes, and bake for an easy beef pot pie.
  • Use sweet potatoes: Swap out the russets for sweet potatoes if you like a hint of sweetness and extra nutrients.
  • Serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles: Instead of as a stand-alone stew, spoon it over something starchy to make it stretch even further.
Servings: 6 servings
Close-up of beef stew with chunks of beef, carrots, potatoes, and green peas in a thick brown sauce, garnished with chopped herbs.
A plate of mashed potatoes topped with beef stew sits on a red checkered cloth, with a can of Dr Pepper, bread slices, and green glasses in the background.

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