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Wholesome Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe

Wholesome Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 21 reviews

This Wholesome Crockpot Beef Stew is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for any season. Tender stew meat is seasoned, seared, and slow-cooked with fresh vegetables, robust wine, and aromatic herbs to create a rich, flavorful stew. Finished with a velvety butter swirl and optional gravy enhancer for added depth and color, it’s a nourishing one-pot meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to satisfy.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasoning

  • 2 ½ pounds stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ½ teaspoon celery salt
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

Fats and Oils

  • 3–6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons chilled butter, divided

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 2 cups chopped yellow onions
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 5 medium carrots, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pound baby Yukon gold potatoes, halved or quartered
  • 1 cup frozen peas

Liquids and Flavorings

  • 1 cup cabernet sauvignon or merlot wine
  • 4 cups beef stock
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 tablespoons tomato concentrate

Herbs and Spices

  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 rosemary sprig

Thickening Agent (Optional)

  • ¼ cup cold water mixed with 3 tablespoons corn starch

Additional Optional Ingredient

  • 2–3 drops Gravy Master (for deeper color)

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Season the Meat: Cut the stew meat into 1-inch cubes discarding large fat pieces but retaining marbled fat. Season the beef cubes evenly with black pepper, garlic salt, and celery salt. Sprinkle the flour over the meat and toss to coat thoroughly.
  2. Sear the Meat: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add beef cubes spaced apart to avoid overcrowding. Brown each side for about 45 seconds, adding more oil if needed. Transfer browned meat to the slow cooker.
  3. Sauté the Onions and Deglaze the Pan: Reduce skillet heat to medium and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add chopped onions and sauté for approximately 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant. Pour in a splash of wine and scrape the pan to loosen browned bits. Transfer onion-garlic mixture to the slow cooker.
  4. Cook the Stew: Add the remaining ingredients—wine, beef stock, bouillon cubes, Worcestershire sauce, tomato concentrate, carrots, potatoes, bay leaves, rosemary sprig—into the slow cooker, except peas, cornstarch mixture, and 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 7½ to 8 hours or on high for 3½ to 4 hours until vegetables are tender.
  5. Add Final Ingredients and Thicken: In the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the frozen peas. Remove bay leaves and rosemary sprig. If a thicker stew is desired, mix ¼ cup cold water with 3 tablespoons cornstarch to create a slurry and gradually stir it into the stew, allowing it to thicken upon standing.
  6. Finish and Serve: Turn off the heat. Swirl in 2 tablespoons of cold butter (Monter au Beurre) for a smooth, velvety texture. Optionally, add 2-3 drops of Gravy Master for richer color. Serve the stew hot for a hearty and flavorful meal.

Notes

  • Use good-quality stew meat with some marbled fat for tenderness and flavor.
  • Do not discard all fat; it helps keep meat moist and flavorful during cooking.
  • Wine can be substituted with additional beef stock if preferred for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Add fresh herbs like rosemary and bay leaves for aromatic complexity; remove before serving.
  • The cornstarch slurry is optional and only needed if you prefer a thicker stew consistency.
  • Gravy Master adds color and depth but is optional and can be omitted for a lighter stew.
  • Slow cooking on low yields more tender meat but requires longer cooking times.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stew, crockpot recipe, slow cooker beef stew, hearty stew, comfort food, slow cooked beef, winter meal

Find it online: https://frommamamaya.com/wholesome-crockpot-beef-stew-recipe/