Hearty Slow-Cooked Beef Stew
This Hearty Slow-Cooked Beef Stew is a comforting and delicious dish that brings warmth to any table. Perfectly browned beef stew meat simmers with a colorful medley of carrots, red potatoes, pearl onions, and celery, creating a rich and flavorful stew. With the addition of V-8 vegetable juice and seasonings, this recipe delivers the essence of home-cooked goodness that can be enjoyed on busy weeknights or lazy weekends. Just set it and forget it in your crockpot for a meal that's sure to please family and friends alike!
N/A
Servings
275
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Oil
1 tablespoon (for browning the beef)
Beef stew meat
1.5 lbs (cut into 3/4 inch cubes)
Carrots
4 medium (cut into 1/2 inch thick slices)
Red potatoes
3 medium (unpeeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
Frozen pearl onions
1.5 cups (from a 16 oz package)
Celery
1 stalk (cut into 1 inch pieces)
V-8 vegetable juice
3 cups (for broth)
Quick cooking tapioca
3 tablespoons (to thicken the stew)
Beef bouillon granules
1 teaspoon (for added flavor)
Garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons (for depth of flavor)
Instructions
1
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the beef stew meat in batches, browning them for 4 to 6 minutes until a nice crust forms. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan.
2
In a 3 1/2 or 4-quart Crock-Pot, combine the browned beef with the carrots, red potatoes, pearl onions, celery, V-8 vegetable juice, tapioca, beef bouillon granules, garlic powder, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until all ingredients are evenly mixed.
3
Cover the Crock-Pot with its lid and set it to cook on the low setting for 9 to 10 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Ensure to check the seasoning before serving.
4
Before serving, give the stew a gentle stir, and adjust seasoning if necessary. Enjoy your hearty stew with crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
30g
Carbs
16g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Slow-Cooked Beef Stew?
Hearty Slow-Cooked Beef Stew is a comforting dish made with browned beef stew meat, carrots, red potatoes, pearl onions, and celery, simmered in a rich V-8 vegetable juice base.
How long does it take to cook this stew in a Crock-Pot?
The stew should be cooked on the low setting for 9 to 10 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
Do I need to brown the beef before slow cooking?
Yes, browning the beef in a skillet for 4 to 6 minutes helps create a flavorful crust before adding it to the Crock-Pot.
What size Crock-Pot is recommended for this recipe?
A 3 1/2 or 4-quart Crock-Pot is the ideal size for this recipe.
What type of potatoes are used in this stew?
The recipe calls for 3 medium red potatoes, unpeeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
What is used as the liquid base for the stew?
3 cups of V-8 vegetable juice are used as the primary liquid base for the broth.
How is the beef stew thickened?
The stew is thickened using 3 tablespoons of quick-cooking tapioca.
What kind of beef is best for this recipe?
1.5 lbs of beef stew meat, cut into 3/4 inch cubes, is recommended.
Are the carrots peeled or sliced?
The recipe uses 4 medium carrots cut into 1/2 inch thick slices.
Can I use frozen onions in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifically uses 1.5 cups of frozen pearl onions.
What seasonings are added to the stew?
Seasonings include beef bouillon granules, garlic powder, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 275 calories.
What is the protein content of this stew?
This recipe provides 16g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in a serving of this beef stew?
There are 10g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
The stew contains 30g of carbohydrates per serving.
Do I need to stir the stew while it cooks?
You only need to stir it once when combining the ingredients and then give it a gentle stir before serving.
What size should I cut the celery?
The celery should be cut into 1 inch pieces.
What is the role of Worcestershire sauce?
Worcestershire sauce is used to add a depth of savory flavor to the stew.
Is the garlic powder amount high?
No, the recipe calls for a subtle amount of 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder.
How much oil is needed for browning?
1 tablespoon of oil is used in a large skillet to brown the beef.
Can I serve this with bread?
Yes, the recipe suggests serving the stew with crusty bread or over a bed of rice.
Should I peel the red potatoes?
The recipe suggests leaving the red potatoes unpeeled.
What flavor does V-8 juice add?
V-8 vegetable juice provides a rich, multi-vegetable essence to the broth.
How much beef bouillon is required?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of beef bouillon granules for added flavor.
What if I don't have pearl onions?
While pearl onions are recommended for texture, you could substitute with chopped regular onions.
Can I adjust the seasonings after cooking?
Yes, you should check and adjust the seasonings if necessary before serving.
How much pepper should I add?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, or you can add it to taste.
Is this recipe suitable for busy weeknights?
Yes, since it is a slow-cooker 'set it and forget it' meal, it is perfect for busy schedules.
What is the purpose of the beef bouillon?
The beef bouillon granules are used to enhance the savory beef flavor of the liquid base.
How much Worcestershire sauce is used?
The recipe requires 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce.