Delicious Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

Slow cooker beef stew is a hearty, comforting meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights and cozy evenings at home. This dish comes together with minimal effort while delivering big flavor. In this article, we will guide you through making a delicious slow cooker beef stew recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs of beef stew meat
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Time: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. Servings: 6-8 people.

Instructions:

1. Begin by preheating your slow cooker if you're starting it in the morning for a late afternoon meal.
2. Cook the beef stew meat in olive oil over medium heat until browned on all sides. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the chopped onions and garlic. Cook until the onions are translucent and fragrant. Add carrots and potatoes; stir to coat with the oil left from the meat.
4. Transfer the vegetables into your slow cooker. Pour in beef broth, red wine (optional), tomato paste, bay leaves, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
5. Add the browned beef stew meat back into the pot. Stir again to combine everything evenly. Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours until the beef is tender and falling apart easily.
6. Remove bay leaves before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, then serve hot with your favorite side dishes like crusty bread or a simple green salad.

Tips & Tricks:

• To enhance flavor further, consider adding more vegetables such as mushrooms or celery along with the carrots and potatoes.
• For a richer stew, use beef stock instead of water to give it an extra layer of depth. You can also add some dark meat vegetables like kale or spinach towards the end of cooking time so that they remain slightly crunchy without overcooking.
• If you prefer less acidity in your stew, you could replace red wine with apple cider vinegar which provides similar flavors but doesn’t affect the overall taste profile too drastically.

Health Benefits:

This dish offers numerous health benefits due to its rich array of nutrients. Beef stew meat contains high levels of iron, zinc, vitamin B12, niacin, and phosphorus which help in boosting your immune system, improving cognitive function, supporting brain development especially during pregnancy and early childhood, enhancing muscle growth and repair after exercise, maintaining healthy skin cells, and preventing cardiovascular diseases among others.

Vegetables like carrots provide beta-carotene that converts into vitamin A inside the body helping protect vision health. Potatoes contain potassium which supports heart health by regulating blood pressure levels effectively. Red wine (if used) adds antioxidants such as resveratrol believed to have anti-aging effects along with heart benefits.

Conclusion:

Slow cooker beef stew is more than just a meal; it’s a comforting tradition passed down through generations that brings families together during the colder months. Whether you're looking for something quick and simple or wanting to spend time preparing an elaborate dinner, this recipe offers flexibility without sacrificing flavor.

Remember, while making any dish in your slow cooker, always follow proper safety guidelines such as ensuring there’s enough liquid in your pot and never leaving it unattended during cooking hours. Enjoy your homemade beef stew!