Hearty Slow-Cooker Beef Stew with Fresh Vegetables
This Hearty Slow-Cooker Beef Stew is a comforting dish that brings together tender chunks of beef and vibrant vegetables, simmered to perfection in a rich broth. Inspired by a simple Trader Joe's recipe, I added my own twist to make it even more flavorful and satisfying. Ideal for busy days, this stew requires minimal hands-on time and allows the slow cooker to work its magic. Enjoy a bowl of warmth and nourishment, bringing you and your loved ones together around the table.
6-8
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
1 cup (seasoned with salt and pepper)
stew meat
1.5 lbs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons (divided into 2 tbsp for browning and 1 tbsp for sautéing)
carrot
1 cup (cubed)
celery
1 cup (cubed)
onion
1 cup (cubed)
russet potatoes
2 cups (cubed)
chicken broth
2 cups (or use 1/2 cup red wine and 1.5 cups chicken broth)
thyme
2 teaspoons (dried)
Instructions
1
In a shallow dish, season the flour with salt and pepper. Dredge the stew meat pieces in the seasoned flour, ensuring they are well coated.
2
In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. In batches, brown the dredged meat on all sides, about 5-7 minutes per batch. Transfer the browned meat to the slow cooker.
3
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the cubed carrots, celery, onion, and potatoes, sautéing for about 10 minutes until slightly softened, stirring occasionally. Once done, transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker on top of the meat.
4
Pour the chicken broth (and red wine if using) into the hot skillet. Use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, creating a flavorful deglazing liquid. Pour this mixture over the meat and vegetables in the slow cooker.
5
Sprinkle the thyme over the top, cover the slow cooker with its lid, and set it to cook on the high setting for 2 hours. After 2 hours, reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for an additional 3-4 hours or until the meat is fork-tender. Alternatively, you can cook on low for 6-8 hours if you prefer.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hearty Slow-Cooker Beef Stew with Fresh Vegetables?
It is a comforting one-dish meal featuring tender chunks of beef and vibrant vegetables simmered in a rich broth.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 6 to 8 people.
What type of meat is used in this stew?
The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of stew meat cut into bite-sized pieces.
How do you prepare the meat before slow cooking?
The meat is dredged in seasoned flour and then browned in a skillet with olive oil for 5-7 minutes per batch.
What ingredients are needed for the seasoned flour?
You need 1 cup of flour seasoned with salt and pepper.
How much olive oil is required in total?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, divided into 2 tbsp for browning meat and 1 tbsp for sautéing vegetables.
Which fresh vegetables are included in this stew?
The stew includes cubed carrots, celery, onion, and russet potatoes.
How much carrot is needed?
You will need 1 cup of cubed carrots.
How much celery is required?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of cubed celery.
What is the measurement for the onion?
The recipe requires 1 cup of cubed onion.
How many potatoes should be used?
You will need 2 cups of cubed russet potatoes.
What are the broth options for this recipe?
You can use 2 cups of chicken broth, or a combination of 1.5 cups chicken broth and 1/2 cup red wine.
What herb is used to season the stew?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of dried thyme.
How long should the vegetables be sautéed?
The vegetables should be sautéed for about 10 minutes until they are slightly softened.
What is the process for deglazing the pan?
Pour the broth or wine into the hot skillet used for browning and use a spatula to scrape up the flavorful browned bits.
How long does the stew cook on the high setting?
The stew should cook on the high setting for 2 hours before the heat is reduced.
How much additional time is needed on the low setting after cooking on high?
After the initial 2 hours on high, the stew should cook for an additional 3-4 hours on low.
Is there an alternative slow-cooking duration?
Yes, you can alternatively cook the entire stew on the low setting for 6-8 hours.
What texture should the meat have when finished?
The meat should be cooked until it is fork-tender.
What category of meal is this?
This recipe is categorized as a One Dish Meal.
Is this recipe suitable for busy days?
Yes, it is ideal for busy days because it requires minimal hands-on time once the slow cooker begins.
What was the inspiration for this beef stew?
The recipe was inspired by a simple Trader Joe's recipe with added twists for more flavor.
Are there specific tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include beef stew, slow cooker, one pot meal, comfort food, easy recipe, hearty meal, and family dinner.
Can I substitute the chicken broth?
While the recipe specifies chicken broth, you could use red wine as a partial substitute or potentially use beef broth for a deeper flavor.
How are the vegetables layered in the slow cooker?
The sautéed vegetables are transferred to the slow cooker and placed on top of the browned meat.
Do you need to season the thyme?
The thyme is sprinkled over the top of the ingredients in the slow cooker before covering it with the lid.
What kind of skillet should be used?
Any skillet suitable for browning meat and sautéing vegetables over medium-high heat can be used.
What is the benefit of dredging the meat in flour?
Dredging in seasoned flour helps create a nice crust on the meat during browning and helps thicken the stew liquid.
Is there a specific size for the vegetables?
The recipe recommends cubing the carrots, celery, onion, and potatoes.
Why is the deglazing liquid important?
The deglazing liquid captures the flavorful browned bits from the skillet, which adds depth to the stew's broth.