Crock Pot Beef Stew (+ Video)

• servings: 6 servings
• active time: 15 minutes
• total time: 8 hours 45 minutes

Ingredients

3 Tablespoons olive oil, canola or vegetable oil

2 pounds beef stew meat

1/4 cup all­ purpose flour

salt and pepper, to taste

2 cups beef stock (can use low or no sodium)

14 ½ ounce can fire ­roasted diced tomatoes

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

1 ½ pounds baby potatoes, sliced in half or quarters

1 medium onion, diced

3-4 stalks celery, diced

1 cup baby carrots

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 bay leaf

3 Tablespoons cornstarch

3 Tablespoons water or beef stock

Directions

Heat up 3 Tablespoons olive oil, canola or vegetable oil in a large skillet (or if you have a slow cooker with a sauté option - turn it on high).

In a bowl, mix together 2 pounds beef stew meat, 1/4 cup all­ purpose flour and salt and pepper, to taste.

Once the oil is super hot, add in half of the coated stew meat and brown it on both sides. Remove and continue with the rest of meat.

Once all the meat is browned, place it in the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot.

Pour in 2 cups beef stock, 14.5 ounce can fire ­roasted diced tomatoes, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar. Stir well.

Then stir in 1.5 pounds baby potatoes, sliced in half or quarters, 1 medium onion, diced, 3-4 stalks celery, diced, and 1 cup baby carrots.

Sprinkle 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon minced garlic on top and add 1 bay leaf. Stir again then cover.

Cook on low for 8 hours. Do not open the lid to check while cooking. It is super important with any beef stew (or pot roast) that you keep the lid on. Every time you open the lid, steam escapes and you may end up with tough meat so just set it and forget it.

Once it's done cooking, make the thickening slurry. Whisk together 3 Tablespoons cornstarch with 3 Tablespoons water or beef stock.

Pour mixture into the beef stew and stir well. Cover and switch to the high setting.

Let it cook on high for another half an hour or until thickened up. Then serve!

Nutrition

• Calories: 478 kcal
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 117 mg
• Sodium: 293 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 29 g
• Dietary Fiber: 3 g
• Total Sugars: 3 g
• Protein: 45 g