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Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew
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Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew is a warm, hearty, and budget-friendly dish made with tender beef, vegetables, and rich broth. Perfect for effortless slow cooking, this comforting stew fills your home with delicious aromas while delivering satisfying flavors and textures. Ideal for busy days, it’s customizable, nutritious, and a timeless comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 2 lbs beef chuck or stew meat, trimmed of excess fat

Vegetables

  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 large onion, roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids & Tomatoes

  • 4 cups beef broth or stock
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste or 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes

Seasonings

  • 1 tsp salt, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, to taste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary (or fresh herbs added in last hour)

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Brown the Meat: Trim any excess fat from the beef chunks. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the beef pieces for a few minutes until well caramelized to develop deeper flavors. Transfer to slow cooker.
  2. Chop the Vegetables: Peel and dice the carrots and potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Roughly chop the onion and mince the garlic to prepare them for layering.
  3. Assemble Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Layer the browned beef, then add the prepared vegetables, tomato paste or canned tomatoes, and seasonings. Pour the beef broth over everything, ensuring it mostly covers the ingredients.
  4. Cook Low and Slow: Set the slow cooker on low heat for 7 to 8 hours or on high for about 4 hours, until the meat is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft and cooked through.
  5. Final Seasoning and Serve: Stir the stew well, taste, and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or thyme if desired.

Notes

  • Brown meat first to enhance flavor through caramelization.
  • Don’t overload the slow cooker; leave space for even cooking and steam circulation.
  • Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
  • Add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary during the last hour of cooking for brighter flavors.
  • If the stew is too thin, stir in a cornstarch slurry near the end to thicken the broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker stew, budget-friendly stew, easy beef stew, comfort food, slow cooker recipe, poor man's stew, hearty stew

Find it online: https://marycorner.com/slow-cooker-poor-mans-stew/