Crock Pot Beef Stew

This Crock Pot Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for busy nights and cold weather meals. Made with tender stew meat, hearty vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and green beans, and simmered in a rich broth with Worcestershire sauce and crushed tomatoes, this slow cooker beef stew is both easy to make and delicious. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or prepping meals for the week, this recipe is the perfect one-pot meal. Cooked on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3.5-4 hours, the beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the vegetables absorb all the savory flavors.

This easy beef stew recipe is customizable with your favorite ingredients and can be frozen for future meals, making it a versatile option for meal planning. Perfect for anyone looking for a comforting, hearty, and low-maintenance slow cooker dinner that’s full of flavor! Ideal for those on a busy schedule, this beef stew will quickly become a go-to recipe for a satisfying and wholesome meal.

Ingredients:

• 2.5 lbs stew meat
• 1 (16 oz) bag frozen green beans
• 3 whole carrots (peeled and sliced)
• 3 russet potatoes (peeled and diced into large pieces)
• ½ onion (chopped)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 (14 oz) can of crushed tomatoes
• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups water
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions:

1. Place the stew meat and diced potatoes in the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot.
2. Layer the frozen green beans, chopped onions, and sliced carrots on top of the meat and potatoes.
3. Pour the crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and water over the ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add the bay leaves and stir everything together to combine.
5. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 3.5-4 hours.
6. Once done, let the stew sit for a few minutes before serving. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

This Crock Pot Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender stew meat with hearty vegetables in a rich, flavorful broth. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it recipe that’s perfect for busy days, letting your crock pot do all the work. With minimal prep and a delicious outcome, it’s a go-to dish for a cozy family dinner or meal prep for the week. The stew meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the vegetables soak up all the savory flavors for a truly satisfying meal. Whether served on its own or with a side of bread, this beef stew will keep everyone coming back for seconds.

Tips:

• Browning the meat: While not necessary, browning the stew meat in a pan before adding it to the crock pot can add extra flavor.
• Vegetable size: Cut your potatoes and carrots into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Adjusting thickness: If you prefer a thicker stew, you can make a slurry with cornstarch and water and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Variations and Substitutions:

• Vegetables: You can easily swap out green beans for other vegetables like peas, corn, or even parsnips for a different flavor profile.
• Broth: Use beef broth instead of water for an even richer base.
• Herbs: Feel free to experiment with additional herbs like thyme, rosemary, or garlic for added depth of flavor.
• Worcestershire sauce: If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, you can substitute with soy sauce or balsamic vinegar for a similar depth of flavor.

FAQs:

• Can I cook this stew on high instead of low? Yes! If you’re short on time, cooking on high for 3.5-4 hours will still give you a tender and flavorful stew.
• Can I freeze this stew? Yes, this beef stew freezes well. Let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• What if my stew is too watery? If your stew is too thin, you can add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking to thicken it up.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve this hearty stew with a side of crusty bread or a warm baguette to soak up all the flavorful broth.
• For an extra touch, top each serving with a dollop of sour cream or fresh parsley.
• Pair with a green salad for a balanced meal, or enjoy as-is for a comforting, filling dinner on a cold day.