Colder, rainy weather arrived this week in Southern California. The need for something fuller bodied and truly comforting was in order.
If you’ve ever used a slow cooker or slow cooked a flavorful meal for a lengthy amount of time, you no doubt have experienced the enticing and delicious aromas that fill the kitchen and make it’s way throughout the house. Notice that the ingredients do not call for the addition of water or broth to be added for the stew’s body (in the slow cooker method). I was concerned that the stew would be stark dry. I’m glad to report that I was so WRONG! Layer the ingredients in the order that it’s listed. The meaty juices and water from the vegetables and low, slow cooking make the most incredible thick, flavorful broth. Make sure to have some type of bread or cornbread to sop up the juicy deliciousness!
I used smaller whole red potatoes, cutting only those potatoes that were abnormally larger than the rest. When you’re chowing down and digging into the stew, cutting into the cooked potatoes and sopping up the tasty and flavorful broth will keep your spoon coming back for more and looking forward to the next spoonful that includes a chunk of those tender potatoes.
Seriously. Refrain from temptation to lift the lid of your slow cooker to check on the contents. Check its progress at least two hours or so before it should be finished to gauge the meat and vegetables’ tenderness.
Serve with a glass of red wine and homemade cornbread…or better yet, skillet cheesy cornbread with a hint of brown butter would be the perfect accompaniment. Guess what?! A fantastic recipe for just the perfect cornbread is the next post!
- Adding 1/2 cup of frozen, sweet corn would be a nice addition.
- Other add-in ideas: Celery, garlic, squash, sweet potatoes, mushrooms (after first 2-3 hours), leeks (use half the onions if using leeks too).
- Added the beef broth and red wine and added another tablespoon of flour to thicken, since I added more liquid.
- I think you’ll enjoy the best results cooking on low for about 6-8 hours.
- If the stew’s broth is too thick for your preference, try adding some room temperature beef broth the last hour or two before it’s finished.
- If you prefer not to use a slow cooker or don’t have one, the original recipe source has an oven version with some slight recipe modifications/additions to both the ingredients and method.
Serves 6
Kitchen Tools: Slow Cooker (see notes for oven cooking adaption)
3 pounds beef chuck, lean and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
1/3 cup tomato paste
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound medium yellow onions (about 2), cut into 1-inch slices
1 pound small red new potatoes (about 6), well scrubbed and halved if large
1 pound carrots, cut into 1 1/2-inch lengths
6 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup beef broth and 1/2 cup red wine
Place prepared beef in a 5-quart slow cooker. Distribute tomato paste, vinegar, and flour over beef. Season well with salt and pepper.
Add onions, potatoes, carrots, garlic, and bay leaves. Place lid on slow cooker and cook on high for 5 hours -or- low for 8 hours/until beef is fork-tender (check beef and vegetables texture after first 5 hours if cooking on low).
Check back for the next post about the most incredible skillet, cheesy cornbread with a tasty hint of brown butter. If you’ve never made cornbread in a skillet…you’re potentially about to be changed forever! 🙂
saltele says
Hmm i think this is a very interesting recipe because it looks so good. I will try it when i will go home tonight. Thanks for sharing and i promise to come back to tell you the result.
Jess @ OnSugarMountain says
Wow this looks amazing! So wonderful for the chilly winter nights, and the added bonus of slow cooker makes it super approachable for novice cooks (like me!) 😀
Tina@flourtrader says
This stew does look like the perfect meal for the chilly days. The close up picture with all those big chunks of veggies and beef sure makes me want to try some. Delicious post!
dapnie says
Yummy!! I made it at home exactly what is above, and the dish is delightful, I also made it for my friends and they loved it, too.. Thanks for sharing.
brandy says
Loving this recipe so much. I made it at my grandma’s house. The combination of recipes goes well with each other and the taste is certainly admirable.
Bunkycooks says
Beef Stew is truly one of life’s best comfort foods. That and chicken soup. 🙂
Magic of Spice says
These weather is so back and forth this winter, but evenings are indeed very chilly even when the days are warmer. My son just made his first beef stew recently and it was a big hit 🙂 Stews are such great comfort foods in winter and yours looks fantastic!
Maureen says
What a gorgeous plate of stew. Absolute comfort food for me.
Valerie @ From Valerie's Kitchen says
We were in Southern California for a water polo tournament and had beautiful weather but came back to rain. Definitely time for beef stew. This looks so comforting and yummy!
Nessa says
This stew looks really tasty, and perfect for these cold winter days! Looking forward to the cornbread recipe tomorrow! 🙂
Valerie says
I could easily live on soup, especially during the winter. This looks so hearty and fulfilling, plus it’s an excuse to pull out the slow cooker. 🙂
RKM says
This looks sooo good right now. It is cold here and would be perfect to eat this delicious looking stew. I feel like I can smell the flavors right from the screen. Thanks for sharing, beautiful pictures, I’m HUNGRY!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
This looks so warm and hearty, Cristina! Wonderful soup for cold winter nights. Thanks for sharing!
Lacy @ NYCityEats says
This looks amazing!! With a slice os buttery crusty bread to sop up what’s left of the sauce, yum!! Great recipe!
5 Star Foodie says
A delicious looking stew, very warming on a cold day!
Sandra says
It’s been so long since I used my slow cooker. This is a great recipe to get me used to it again.
Zane and Van | Spicy Beautiful says
This slow cooker beef stew recipe simply hit the spot! It’s been raining nonstop down here and we’re looking for something to warm us up a little. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Your photos are amazing 🙂
Blog is the New Black says
Looks great- I can’t get enough soups, stews, etc. this time of year!
raquel@eRecipe.com says
I am one of those who are tempted to open lid and check the contents =). When cooking yummy and comforting foods like this I tend to be impatient waiting for it to be done. This is delicious….Great photos! =)