Once the holidays are over, that last thing you want to do is a big, involved meal. That’s where your crockpot comes in. Yes, I said crockpot, not Instant Pot. I have nothing against it, but I am not a fan of change and live by the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Plus I have four crockpots of varying sizes, so my slow/fast cooker shelf is full. But I digress. Cold winter days beg for soups and stews and this classic beef stew will become a staple.
What I love about this is if you’re a night owl like me, you can stick everything in the crockpot the night before and knock it down to warm in the morning and lunch is ready to roll. Make some cornbread muffins or a quick bread, and you’ve got a stick to your ribs meal that’ll keep you warm and full for hours. Freeze in batches so “future you” can catch a break for lunch or dinner. There’s nothing like already having a finished batch ready for a snow day with tender beef and healthy vegetables. The classics never go out of style, and you can customize it with whatever veggies you have on hand. The video shows you how to bring it all together and what the recipe should look like in different stages.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QWD-gTozr8&w=560&h=315 ]
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Ingredients
- 1 lb stew meat, fat trimmed cut into smaller pieces
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 32 ounces organic beef broth (I used low sodium)
- 2 cups red wine, wassail or cider (I used wassail)
- 6 red potatoes, diced
- 2 red potatoes, mashed for thickening
- 4 large carrots, sliced
- 4 stalks celery, diced
- 1 large sweet onion, diced
- 2 parsnips, sliced
- 1 small turnip, diced
- 1 tbsp italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 3/4 cup frozen peas
- 2-3 tbsp cornstarch or flour (if needed)
- Items needed: 8 qt crockpot
Instructions
- Pour oil in large pan and add minced cloves of garlic for 1-2 minutes on low heat.
- Increase heat to medium high and add stew meat to sear. (I season with black pepper and garlic powder.)
- When done, transfer it to the crockpot and leave pot as is. Add 2 cups of broth and 1 cup of wine/wassail/cider to the pot to deglaze the pan.
- Add all chopped veggies to the crockpot and give a toss. Add the liquid from the pan to the crockpot then the remaining 2 cups of beef broth and 1 cup of wassail/cider/wine.
- Add seasonings and stir.
- Allow to simmer for 9-10 hours on low or 6-7 hours on high.
- When it's almost done, add peas to the stew and turn the heat on high if it's not already.
- Prick 2 red potatoes with fork and microwave for 4 minutes. Mash and add to the stew to thicken it. If it needs thickened more, add 2 tbsp of flour or cornstarch to 1/4 water and stir to make a slurry and add it to the stew and allow to thicken for 15 minutes.
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19 Comments
I think beef stew made in the crock pot is just about the most comforting meal there is when it’s really cold! This looks deliciously thick and tasty.
It sure is! I could go for some right now!
Hi, it’s Kristina from Fiesta Friday. I love my slow cookers too! I have yet to try an instant pot, but like you I am more likely to use a crock pot. By the way, this recipe sounds delicious. What great comfort food for the winter.
Just something about my crockpot I love especially for stews and soups you can’t beat it!
Ooo, this looks like something my boys would love. We’ve just got a slow cooker so this recipe is perfect. Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday.
Slow cookers are the best and I hope you and your boys love it if you give it a try!
I love using the crock pot this time of year – and I haven’t made stew in years. Sounds like a great recipe!
Shelley
Crockpots and winter were made for each other!
I love anything made in a crock pot and have been doing soups and stews for years, long before the newer generations have latched onto the idea of slow cooking….LOL Thank you for joining our celebrate your story link party….Kari @ Me and My Captain
Soups and stews are the best and made for crockpots!
I love crockpot cooking! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. I love the things you bring.
Me too, Helen! Aww, thanks so much! Thanks for hosting!
I love anything that can be made in a Crock-pot, especially on a busy day. Thanks for sharing with us.
Me too especially this time of year!
Mrs Kringle, I’m a new Instant Pot owner, but I actually got it with the idea of using it in its slow cooker mode. I’ve made beef stew in its pressure cooking mode twice and have learned a couple of things, the most important one being that you need to cut the beef into really big pieces (2-inch cubes) if you don’t want it to disappear! I don’t really see the need for pressure cooking in my life. I’m not the “rush in the door after work, pull out some frozen meat, get dinner on the table in a hurry” type! #BloggersPitStop
Thanks so much for the tip! Enjoy your new toy! 😀
This looks really yummy! I love beef stew! I’m pinning this recipe! Thanks for sharing at the Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Link Party!
Thanks so much! I hope you love it!