Slow Simmered Cajun Beef & Black Bean Stew
Delight in the rich and zesty flavors of this Slow Simmered Cajun Beef & Black Bean Stew, a hearty recipe that's perfect for a leisurely meal. This dish combines tender beef and perfectly cooked black beans, simmered in a robust tomato sauce infused with Cajun spices and aromatic vegetables. Ideal for gatherings or batch cooking, this stew brings the comforting taste of Louisiana to your dinner table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
black beans
1 lb (dry, cooked just until slightly tender)
beef roast or beef stew meat
1 lb (cut into cubes)
crushed tomatoes
28 oz
chicken stock
14 oz (reduced sodium)
dried thyme
1 tsp
dried basil
1 tsp
crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp
cayenne
1 tsp
fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp
olive oil
2 tbsp
onions
2 (chopped)
celery stalks
5 (chopped)
green pepper
1 (chopped)
garlic cloves
5 (minced)
flour
4 tbsp
Instructions
1
Place the cooked black beans, crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, thyme, basil, red pepper flakes, cayenne, and black pepper into a 5-quart crock pot set on low. Stir to combine the ingredients.
2
In a cast iron pan over medium-high heat, brown the cubes of beef on all sides to seal in flavor, then transfer the browned meat to the crock pot.
3
Using the same pan, sauté the onions, celery, green pepper, and garlic in olive oil until they are slightly tender. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
4
Transfer the sautéed vegetables into the crock pot and mix thoroughly with the other ingredients.
5
Cover the crock pot and allow the stew to cook on the low setting for at least 6 hours, until the beef is tender and flavors are melded together.
6
Before serving, adjust the seasoning to taste and serve the stew over cooked rice. Add hot sauce for extra heat, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Slow Simmered Cajun Beef & Black Bean Stew?
It is a hearty and zesty dish that combines tender beef and black beans simmered in a robust tomato sauce with Cajun spices.
What type of beef is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using 1 lb of beef roast or beef stew meat cut into cubes.
How should the black beans be prepared?
Use 1 lb of dry black beans that have been cooked until they are just slightly tender.
What size crock pot is required?
A 5-quart crock pot is recommended for this recipe.
How long does the stew need to cook?
The stew should be covered and allowed to cook on the low setting for at least 6 hours.
What type of tomatoes are used in the base?
The base uses 28 oz of crushed tomatoes.
What kind of stock is used for the stew?
The recipe calls for 14 oz of reduced sodium chicken stock.
Is this stew spicy?
Yes, it contains Cajun spices including crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne, and black pepper.
Why is the beef browned before slow cooking?
Browning the beef in a pan first helps to seal in the flavor before it is added to the crock pot.
What pan is recommended for browning the meat?
A cast iron pan is recommended for browning the beef cubes over medium-high heat.
What aromatic vegetables are included?
The stew includes onions, celery, green pepper, and minced garlic.
How many onions do I need?
You will need 2 chopped onions.
How many celery stalks are required?
The recipe calls for 5 chopped celery stalks.
How much garlic is used in the stew?
The recipe uses 5 minced garlic cloves.
What is the purpose of adding flour to the vegetables?
Flour is sprinkled over the sautéed vegetables and cooked briefly to help thicken the stew.
Which dried herbs are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon each of dried thyme and dried basil.
How much olive oil is used for sautéing?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
What amount of cayenne pepper is added?
One teaspoon of cayenne pepper is added to give the dish its Cajun kick.
How much crushed red pepper flakes should I add?
You should add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
Should the slow cooker be set to high or low?
The recipe specifies using the low setting for the entire cooking duration.
How many green peppers are needed?
One chopped green pepper is used.
What should I serve the stew over?
It is recommended to serve the stew over cooked rice.
Can I add more heat to the finished dish?
Yes, you can add hot sauce before serving if extra heat is desired.
How much flour is required?
The recipe uses 4 tablespoons of flour.
Can this recipe be used for batch cooking?
Yes, this hearty stew is ideal for batch cooking or large gatherings.
Is fresh ground black pepper necessary?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper for the best flavor.
What region does the flavor profile of this stew represent?
The stew brings the comforting taste of Louisiana to your dinner table.
How do I know when the stew is finished?
The stew is ready when the beef is tender and the flavors have thoroughly melded together after at least 6 hours.
When do I adjust the seasoning?
You should adjust the seasoning to taste immediately before serving.
Do I add all ingredients to the crock pot at once?
No, you first combine the base liquids and spices, then add the browned meat, and finally the sautéed vegetables.