This delicious slow cooker beef stew, inspired by Martha Stewart, is a hearty, comforting meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with rich flavors. With tender beef, soft potatoes, and sweet carrots, it’s the perfect one-pot dinner for busy days.
Recipe Ingredients:
- 3 pounds beef chuck, trimmed of visible fat and cut into 1 ½-inch cubes
- ⅓ cup tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
- 1 pound medium onions (about 2), cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 pound small white or red new potatoes (about 6), well scrubbed, halved if large
- 1 pound carrots, cut into 1 ½-inch lengths
- 6 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 bay leaves
How To Make Martha Stewart Slow Cooker Beef Stew?
- Prepare the beef: Place the beef chunks in a 5-quart / 4.7-litre slow cooker.
- Add seasonings and thickener: Distribute the tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, and flour over the beef. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Add vegetables and aromatics: Layer the onions, potatoes, carrots, garlic, and bay leaves on top of the beef mixture.
- Cook the stew: Cover and cook on high for 5 hours or on low for 8 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove the bay leaves before serving. Serve hot with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Recipe Tips:
- Brown the beef for extra flavor : Before adding the beef to the slow cooker, sear it in a hot pan with a little oil. This adds a deep, rich taste to the stew.
- Use the right potatoes : Waxy potatoes (like new potatoes or baby potatoes) hold their shape better, while starchy ones (like russets) may break down and thicken the stew.
- Don’t skip the balsamic vinegar : It adds a subtle sweetness and enhances the beef’s natural flavors, making the stew taste even better.
- Layer ingredients correctly : Place the beef at the bottom of the slow cooker so it cooks evenly and stays juicy, then add vegetables on top.
- Thicken the sauce at the end : If the stew is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: Let the leftover beef stew cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Once cooled, place the stew in freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Transfer the stew to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories:275
- Total Fat:5 g
- Saturated Fat:2 g
- Cholesterol:68 mg
- Sodium: 218 mg
- Potassium:816 mg
- Total Carbohydrate:28 g
- Dietary Fiber:4 g
- Sugars: 3 g
- Protein:30 g
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Martha Stewart Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Description
This delicious slow cooker beef stew, inspired by Martha Stewart, is a hearty, comforting meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with rich flavors. With tender beef, soft potatoes, and sweet carrots, it’s the perfect one-pot dinner for busy days.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the beef: Place the beef chunks in a 5-quart / 4.7-litre slow cooker.
- Add seasonings and thickener: Distribute the tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, and flour over the beef. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Add vegetables and aromatics: Layer the onions, potatoes, carrots, garlic, and bay leaves on top of the beef mixture.
- Cook the stew: Cover and cook on high for 5 hours or on low for 8 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove the bay leaves before serving. Serve hot with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Notes
- Brown the beef for extra flavor : Before adding the beef to the slow cooker, sear it in a hot pan with a little oil. This adds a deep, rich taste to the stew.
- Use the right potatoes : Waxy potatoes (like new potatoes or baby potatoes) hold their shape better, while starchy ones (like russets) may break down and thicken the stew.
- Don’t skip the balsamic vinegar : It adds a subtle sweetness and enhances the beef’s natural flavors, making the stew taste even better.
- Layer ingredients correctly : Place the beef at the bottom of the slow cooker so it cooks evenly and stays juicy, then add vegetables on top.
- Thicken the sauce at the end : If the stew is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Martha Stewart Slow Cooker Beef Stew