When there's a chill in the air, nothing beats this Crock-Pot beef stew. Seasoned with thyme and dry mustard, the hearty slow-cooked stew is chock-full of tender carrots, potatoes and beef. —Earnestine Wilson, Waco, Texas
Slow-Cooker Beef Stew Recipe photo by Taste of Home
1-1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon browning sauce, optional
Minced fresh thyme
Directions
Layer the potatoes, carrots, onion and celery in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Place flour in a large shallow dish. Add stew meat; turn to coat evenly. In a large skillet, brown meat in oil in batches. Place over vegetables.
In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, broth, mustard, salt, pepper, thyme and, if desired, browning sauce. Pour over beef. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until the meat and vegetables are tender. If desired, sprinkle with fresh thyme before serving.
Slow-Cooker Beef Stew Tips
Can you put raw beef in the slow cooker?
It is perfectly safe to add raw beef to a slow cooker. However, if the beef is frozen, be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before slow cooking to ensure safe cooking temperatures.
Do I have to brown beef before slow cooking?
While beef can certainly be added directly to a slow cooker, stew meat that has been browned first gets added flavor from the caramelization that happens during browning. Searing or browning the meat also helps to lock in the juices to keep it from drying out. Beef that has been dredged in flour before browning aids in thickening the stew as well. Try one of our most popular beef stew recipes for your slow cooker.
Can you overcook stew in a slow cooker?
A slow-cooked stew is pretty forgiving, but cooking beyond the point of tenderness can dry out the meat as well as the cooking juices and sauce. If serving is delayed, switch your slow cooker to warm until you're ready to eat.
How do you make beef stew meat tender?
The tougher cuts of meat used for stew need to cook low and slow to break down and tenderize. A little acid in the stew can also help break down the fibers in the meat. That acid can come from canned tomatoes or a little red wine vinegar.
Research contributed by Catherine Ward, Taste of Home Prep Kitchen Manager
