Hearty Homestyle Beef Stew in the Crock Pot
Warm up your home and fill your belly with this Hearty Homestyle Beef Stew that's perfect for chilly evenings or busy weekdays. Simply toss the ingredients into your crock pot, let them simmer all day, and return to a comforting meal that’s packed with flavor and nutrition. This recipe combines tender beef with vibrant vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and green beans, all simmered in a rich, savory broth. Ideal for family dinners or to give a comforting touch to your meal prep, this stew invites everyone to gather around the table and enjoy a bowl of warmth and happiness.
4
Servings
170
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (none)
Beef or pork stew meat
1 lb (cut into 3/4 inch cubes)
Cooking oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Onion
1 medium (cut into thin wedges)
Potatoes
2 1/2 cups (cubed)
Frozen cut green beans
1 cup (none)
Frozen whole kernel corn
1 cup (none)
Carrot
1 cup (sliced)
Vegetable juice cocktail
2 1/2 cups (none)
Beef bouillon granules
2 teaspoons (none)
Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons (none)
Fresh marjoram
1 1/2 teaspoons (snipped or 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed)
Fresh oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons (snipped or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Bay leaf
1 (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by placing the all-purpose flour into a large plastic bag.
2
Add the cubed beef or pork to the bag, a few pieces at a time, and shake the bag to fully coat the meat in the flour.
3
Heat a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Once hot, add the coated meat in batches, browning each batch evenly. Remove the meat and set aside, draining off any excess fat.
4
In the bottom of a 3-1/2-quart or 4-quart electric crock pot, create a layer starting with the cut onion, followed by the cubed potatoes, green beans, corn, sliced carrot, and finally the browned meat.
5
In a separate bowl, combine the vegetable juice cocktail, beef bouillon granules, Worcestershire sauce, snipped marjoram, snipped oregano, pepper, and bay leaf. Mix well.
6
Pour the mixture evenly over the meat and vegetables in the crock pot, ensuring all ingredients are well coated.
7
Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on low heat for 10 to 12 hours, or until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
8
After cooking, carefully discard the bay leaf before serving the stew hot. Enjoy your hearty meal!
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
20g
Carbs
10g
Protein
2.5g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is called Hearty Homestyle Beef Stew in the Crock Pot.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What is the recommended cooking time?
The stew should be cooked on low heat for 10 to 12 hours.
Can I use meat other than beef?
Yes, you can use either cubed beef or pork stew meat.
What size crock pot is needed?
A 3-1/2-quart or 4-quart electric crock pot is recommended.
Do I need to brown the meat before slow cooking?
Yes, the instructions state to brown the coated meat in a saucepan or Dutch oven before adding it to the crock pot.
What vegetables are included in this stew?
The stew includes onion, potatoes, green beans, corn, and carrots.
How should the meat be prepared?
The meat should be cut into 3/4 inch cubes and coated in all-purpose flour.
What is the base liquid for the stew?
The liquid base is made from 2 1/2 cups of vegetable juice cocktail mixed with beef bouillon granules and Worcestershire sauce.
Are the green beans and corn fresh or frozen?
The recipe calls for frozen cut green beans and frozen whole kernel corn.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses fresh or dried marjoram, fresh or dried oregano, pepper, and a bay leaf.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 170 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 5g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this stew?
There are 20g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this recipe provide?
Each serving provides 10g of protein.
How much fiber is in the stew?
There is 2.5g of fiber per serving.
In what order should I layer the ingredients in the crock pot?
Layer the onion first, followed by potatoes, green beans, corn, carrots, and finally the browned meat.
How do I coat the meat in flour efficiently?
Place the flour in a large plastic bag, add the meat a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat.
What should I do with the bay leaf?
The bay leaf should be carefully discarded after cooking and before serving.
How should the onion be cut?
The onion should be cut into thin wedges.
What is the preparation for the potatoes?
The potatoes should be cubed, totaling about 2 1/2 cups.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh ones?
Yes, you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of dried marjoram and 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano for the fresh versions.
How much beef or pork is needed?
The recipe requires 1 lb of stew meat.
What type of oil is used for browning the meat?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.
How much Worcestershire sauce is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is described as ideal for family dinners or for giving a comforting touch to meal prep.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized as a Stew.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include beef stew, crock pot, comfort food, hearty meal, family dinner, slow cooker, vegetable stew, and easy recipe.
How much vegetable juice cocktail is required?
The recipe requires 2 1/2 cups of vegetable juice cocktail.
Should I cook this on high or low?
The instructions specify cooking on low heat for the best results.