Description
Pioneer Woman’s crockpot beef stew brings hearty comfort to family dinners with tender meat and rich vegetables. Slow-cooked perfection delivers warmth you’ll savor from first spoonful to last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (900 g) beef stew meat (chuck roast cut into cubes)
- 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 4 carrots (cut into chunks)
- 3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet, diced into 1-inch cubes)
- 2 celery stalks (chopped)
- 1 onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsps water
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Crusty bread or biscuits (for dipping)
Instructions
- Preparation: Coat beef cubes thoroughly with seasoned flour, ensuring an even, delicate layer that promises a golden, flavor-packed exterior.
- Searing: Heat olive oil in a skillet until shimmering, then sear beef in small batches, creating a deep caramel-brown crust that seals in rich, meaty flavors.
- Layering: Transfer browned meat to the crockpot, then artfully arrange carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, and garlic to create a vibrant vegetable foundation.
- Seasoning: Introduce beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, paprika, and a bay leaf, infusing the dish with a symphony of aromatic layers.
- Slow Cooking: Cover and let the stew simmer on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, transforming ingredients into a tender, melt-in-your-mouth delicacy.
- Finishing Touches: Stir in green peas 30 minutes before serving, then thicken the stew by whisking cornstarch with water and folding into the bubbling mixture.
- Serving: Remove bay leaf, ladle the hearty stew into warm bowls, and prepare to indulge in a comforting culinary experience.
Notes
- Optimize Meat Browning: Ensure beef cubes are thoroughly patted dry before flouring to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear, maximizing flavor development and preventing steaming.
- Manage Cooking Liquid: Control moisture carefully by using minimal liquid – the vegetables and meat will release their own juices, preventing a watery stew that lacks concentrated flavor intensity.
- Thickening Technique: Mix cornstarch with cold water to create a smooth slurry, avoiding lumps and ensuring a silky, glossy texture when thickening the stew during final cooking stages.
- Vegetable Timing: Add delicate vegetables like peas in the last 30 minutes to preserve their bright color, fresh texture, and prevent overcooking and mushiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg