Ultimate Comfort Crock Pot Beef Stew
Indulge in a bowl of rich, hearty beef stew that is as effortless as it is delicious. This Ultimate Comfort Crock Pot Beef Stew is designed for busy lives, allowing you to prepare it the night before for a fulfilling meal the next evening. With tender chunks of beef simmered to perfection alongside a medley of fresh vegetables, this stew is infused with creamy mushroom flavors and savory onion notes. Perfect for feeding the family or enjoying leftovers, you're bound to bring smiles to the dinner table with minimal effort.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Carrots
4 (peeled and sliced)
Potatoes
4 (peeled and cut into chunks)
Onions
2 (peeled and quartered)
Stewing Beef or Beef Roast
1-2 lb (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can (prepared)
Onion Soup Mix
1 (2 ounce) envelope (dry)
Water
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can (used for mixing)
Instructions
1
Begin by layering the sliced carrots at the bottom of the crock pot for even cooking.
2
Next, add the chopped potatoes and quartered onions to form the next layer.
3
Place the cut stewing beef or beef roast on top of the vegetables, ensuring an even distribution.
4
In a separate bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, and water until smooth.
5
Pour the soup mixture over the beef and vegetables, ensuring everything is well coated.
6
Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to 'Low' heat.
7
Allow the stew to cook overnight, around 8-10 hours, for optimal tenderness.
8
Check the stew in the morning to see if it requires additional water before cooking.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultimate Comfort Crock Pot Beef Stew?
It is a rich and hearty beef stew featuring tender beef and fresh vegetables simmered in a savory cream of mushroom and onion sauce, designed for easy slow cooking.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 6 servings.
What type of beef is best for this recipe?
You can use either pre-cut stewing beef or a beef roast cut into bite-sized pieces.
How much beef do I need?
The recipe calls for 1 to 2 pounds of beef.
What vegetables are included in the stew?
The primary vegetables are carrots, potatoes, and onions.
Do I need to peel the carrots and potatoes?
Yes, the carrots should be peeled and sliced, and the potatoes should be peeled and cut into chunks.
How should I prepare the onions?
The onions should be peeled and quartered for this stew.
Why are carrots placed at the bottom of the crock pot?
Carrots take longer to cook than other vegetables, so placing them at the bottom ensures they are tender.
What creates the sauce for the stew?
The sauce is a combination of cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix, and water.
How much water should I add?
Use one 10 3/4 ounce can of water, which is the same volume as the soup can.
Do I need to brown the beef before adding it to the slow cooker?
No, the recipe is designed for convenience; you can place the raw cut beef directly on top of the vegetables.
What is the recommended cooking time?
The stew should be cooked on 'Low' for 8 to 10 hours.
Can I cook this stew overnight?
Yes, this recipe is specifically designed to be prepared the night before and cooked overnight for optimal tenderness.
What temperature setting should I use?
The crock pot should be set to the 'Low' heat setting.
How do I prepare the soup mixture?
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, the dry onion soup mix, and water until smooth before pouring it over the beef.
Should I stir the stew during the cooking process?
The recipe instructions do not require stirring; you simply layer the ingredients and let them slow cook.
What should I check for in the morning?
Check the stew in the morning to see if the liquid levels are sufficient or if it requires a little more water.
Is this beef stew suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is an excellent meal prep option as it can be prepared ahead of time and leftovers store well.
Is this recipe family-friendly?
Yes, it is described as a family-friendly comfort food that is bound to bring smiles to the dinner table.
Can I add other seasonings?
While the onion soup mix provides a lot of flavor, you can certainly add salt, pepper, or herbs to taste if desired.
What is the texture of the finished beef?
Slow cooking for 8-10 hours results in beef that is incredibly tender and succulent.
Can I use a different soup base?
While cream of mushroom provides the intended creaminess, some variations use cream of celery or cream of onion soup.
Is this a one-pot meal?
Yes, this is a classic one-pot slow cooker meal that minimizes cleanup.
How many carrots are needed?
You will need 4 carrots, peeled and sliced.
How many potatoes are used?
The recipe calls for 4 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks.
What size onion soup mix is needed?
You will need one 2-ounce envelope of dry onion soup mix.
What size can of cream of mushroom soup is required?
Use one standard 10 3/4 ounce can.
What makes this 'Ultimate Comfort' food?
The combination of hearty beef, soft root vegetables, and a creamy, savory gravy creates a classic comfort food profile.
Can I make this on High heat for a shorter time?
The recipe specifies Low for 8-10 hours for tenderness, but generally, 4-5 hours on High is a standard conversion for slow cookers.
How should I serve this stew?
It can be served as a complete meal on its own in a bowl, or paired with crusty bread for dipping into the sauce.