Until today, I had never tried making beef stew. After having made it, I can say that it’s just as easy (or easier) than any other soup! The only real preparation is in peeling and cutting things up. I love the smell of stew cooking all day, especially when it’s a cold and drizzly day like today.
Heat a pan on the stove as hot as it will get, and sear for 8 minutes on each side:
1 1/2 lbs. chuck roast
Remove the roast to a cutting board. Add to to pan:
2 c. water
Stir to scrape up any browned bits of meat. Pour the contents of the pan into a slow cooker. Also add the following:
the roast, cut into chunks
1 1/2 lbs. potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 T. red wine vinegar
1/2 lb. carrots, chopped
1 T. beef bouillon powder
1/4 t. pepper
2 bay leaves
Whisk together in a small bowl and add to the slow cooker:
*1 c. grape juice (See note below.)
1/2 c. flour
Cook on high for 4-5 hours. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve the beef stew with crusty bread or alone.
*Why grape juice? It’s a substitute for the red wine traditionally used in beef stew. See this article for more information. https://www.thekitchn.com/simple-nonalcoholic-substitutes-for-red-and-white-wine-tips-from-the-kitchn-184394
Beef Stew in the Slow Cooker
Equipment
- cast iron skillet
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chuck roast
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 pounds potatoes peeled and chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 pound carrots chopped
- 1 tablespoon beef bouillon
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup grape juice
- 1/2 cup flour
Instructions
- Heat a cast iron skillet and sear the roast on both sides, 8 minutes per side. Remove the roast to a cutting board. Add water to the pan and scrape up the browned bits. Pour the contents of the pan into the slow cooker.1 1/2 pounds chuck roast, 2 cups water
- Add the vegetables and seasonings to the slow cooker.1 1/2 pounds potatoes, 1 onion, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1/2 pound carrots, 1 tablespoon beef bouillon, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 2 bay leaves
- Whisk the grape juice and flour together in a bowl and add to the slow cooker. Cook the beef stew on high for 4-5 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve with crusty bread.1 cup grape juice, 1/2 cup flour