Description
Hearty crock pot beef stew delivers pure comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending tender meat and rich vegetables into a soul-warming meal. Slow-cooked perfection promises warmth in every spoonful, inviting you to savor home-style goodness with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (907 grams) beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cups (960 ml) beef broth
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup (150 grams) frozen peas (added at the end)
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly coat beef cubes in a blend of flour, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring an even, light dusting that will create a delectable crust.
- Searing Stage: Ignite a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat and swiftly brown the seasoned beef pieces, developing rich caramelized edges before transferring to the crock pot.
- Vegetable Layering: Construct a hearty foundation by arranging potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, and garlic atop the seared meat, creating a robust flavor landscape.
- Liquid Infusion: Craft a vibrant cooking liquid by whisking beef broth with tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and a bay leaf, then generously pour over the meat and vegetable ensemble.
- Slow Transformation: Seal the crock pot and allow the stew to simmer on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 4-6 hours, letting the beef tenderize and flavors meld into a sumptuous harmony.
- Final Enhancement: During the last half-hour, introduce frozen peas to brighten the dish with a pop of color and subtle sweetness.
- Presentation: Discard the bay leaf, give a gentle stir, and serve the deeply aromatic stew piping hot, ready to comfort and satisfy.
Notes
- Brown the beef thoroughly for deeper, richer flavor development and enhanced meat texture before slow cooking.
- Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling to ensure tender, melt-in-your-mouth results after long cooking.
- Adjust flour coating carefully to prevent broth from becoming too thick or pasty; use cornstarch as a lighter alternative if needed.
- Add delicate vegetables like peas only in the final 30 minutes to maintain their vibrant color and prevent overcooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg