There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm bowl of beef stew, filled with tender chunks of meat, hearty vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth. While beef stew may seem like a labor-intensive dish, it can actually be quite simple to prepare, especially when made in a slow cooker. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to make a delicious beef stew that’s guaranteed to warm your soul and satisfy your taste buds.
1. Ingredients:
For the Slow Cooker Beef Stew:
- 2 lbs stewing beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 4 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
2. Preparing the Ingredients:
- Season the cubed beef with salt and pepper, then toss it in flour until evenly coated.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes in batches and sear them on all sides until browned. Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
- Add the minced garlic and diced onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer the garlic and onion to the slow cooker.
3. Assembling the Stew:
- Pour the beef broth and red wine (if using) into the slow cooker, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Add the sliced carrots, celery, diced potatoes, bay leaves, dried thyme, and dried rosemary to the slow cooker. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
4. Cooking the Stew:
- Cover the slow cooker and cook the beef stew on low heat for 6-8 hours, or on high heat for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the frozen peas to the slow cooker and stir them into the stew.
5. Serving Your Beef Stew:
- Once the beef stew is cooked to perfection, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt and pepper if desired.
- Ladle the hot stew into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
- Serve the beef stew piping hot, with crusty bread or over a bed of cooked rice or mashed potatoes, if desired.
Slow cooker beef stew is the epitome of comfort food – hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. By following this easy-to-follow recipe, you can enjoy all the comforts of a homemade stew with minimal effort. Let the slow cooker do the work for you as it transforms simple ingredients into a delicious and nourishing meal that’s perfect for chilly nights or cozy gatherings with loved ones. So dust off your slow cooker, gather your ingredients, and get ready to savor the heartwarming goodness of homemade beef stew.
