Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Recipe

Ingredients

3 pounds cubed beef stew meat (boneless chuck roast)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup baby carrots
4 Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
3 celery stalks, diced
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 cups beef stock
1-ounce package dry onion soup mix
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons salted butter
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup red wine
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for slurry)
1/4 cup cold water (for slurry)

Supplies

large plastic bag or large container with cover
large skillet
saucepan
small bowl
whisk

Directions

Place meat in large plastic bag or large container with cover. Combine 1/4 cup flour with salt and pepper; pour into the bag or container with the beef, secure, and then shake to coat.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add stew meat and cook until the meat is evenly browned.
Transfer the beef to a slow cooker along with the baby carrots, potatoes, celery, and thyme.
In a saucepan, boil 2 cups of beef stock on high heat. Stir in dry onion soup mix and Worcestershire sauce. Remove from heat; pour into the slow cooker.
In the same skillet used to brown the beef, melt the butter and sauté the onions over medium-high heat until softened. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
Pour red wine into skillet and stir to loosen browned bits in the pan. Remove from heat, and pour the mixture into the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
Prepare the slurry: in a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon of flour with 1/4 cup cold water.
Stir the slurry into the prepared stew and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until stew thickens. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

A slurry is a 1:4 ratio of flour, cornstarch, or arrowroot to cold water that is whisked together in a small bowl until blended. It is similar to a roux used to thicken soups.

Recipe By: Brittany Baxter

This hearty beef stew is perfect for a cold winter’s evening. It is made with winter favorites: root vegetables; rich, tender beef; and warm red wine. Beef stew is very versatile, so feel free to add more spices, herbs, or vegetables if you prefer. Grab a bowl of this delicious stew; it’s the perfect way to warm up.

What Can I Add To My Beef Stew?

Stew consists of meat and vegetables slow-cooked in liquid. The types of vegetables you use to flavor your stew can be adjusted to suit your tastes. Vegetables add a deep and complex flavor as well as unique textures. Here are a few more options for a hearty stew: