Slow Cooker Beef Stew

• servings: 6 servings
• active time: 45 min
• total time: 8 hr 30 min

Ingredients

5/2 pounds Stew Meat

1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper,

1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt,

1/2 teaspoon Celery Salt

1/4 cup Flour

3 tablespoons Butter

2 tablespoons Cold Butter

2 cups Yellow Onions (diced)

4 cloves Garlic (minced)

1 cup Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon (sub Beef Broth)

4 cups Beef Broth

2 beef Bouillon Cubes

2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

3 tablespoons Tomato Paste

5 medium Carrots (cut into 1-inch chunks)

1 pound Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes (halved or quartered)

2 Bay Leaves

1 sprig Rosemary or Thyme

1 cup Peas

1/4 cup Cold Water + 3 tablespoons Corn Starch (Optional)

2-3 drops Gravy Master (*Optional*- Adds a richer, darker color.)

Directions

1. Cut Stew Meat into 1-inch cubes, then toss in Black Pepper, Garlic Salt, Celery Salt, and Flour

2. Heat first portion of Butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat in batches, don’t overcrowd the pan. Brown on each side for 45 seconds. Add more oil if needed. Transfer to slow cooker.

3. Reduce heat to medium and melt some butter. Add Onions and cook for 5 minutes. Add Garlic and cook for 1 minute.

4. Add a splash of Merlot/Carbernet Sauvignon) and use a silicone spatula to deglaze the pan, loosening up any brown remnants.

5. Transfer the Onions and Garlic mixture to the slow cooker.

6. Add the Beef Broth, Bouillon Cubes, Worcestershire Sauce, Tomato Paste, Carrots, Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes, Bay Leaves, and Thyme/Rosemary.

7. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the vegetables are softened and the potatoes are fork tender.

8. Add the peas during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Remove the bay leaves and rosemary stem.

Optional: To thicken, combine ¼ cup COLD water with 3 Tablespoons of cornstarch. Slowly add it to the stew, stirring to incorporate. It will continue to thicken upon standing.

9. Turn off the heat. Swirl in 2 tablespoons of cold butter for a smooth, velvety finish. Optional: Add 3 drops of Gravy Master for an even darker color.

Nutrition

• Calories: 507 kcal
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 132 mg
• Sodium: 1035 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 35 g
• Dietary Fiber: 5 g
• Total Sugars: 7 g
• Protein: 49 g