Hearty Beef and Vegetable Stew

Ingredients

• 2 lb beef stew meat, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 carrots, sliced into rounds
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 12 oz small potatoes, quartered
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 0.5 cup frozen peas

Instructions

1. Toss the beef cubes with the flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl until evenly coated.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then add the beef in a single layer, working in batches if needed so the pieces are not crowded.
3. Sear the beef for 2 to 3 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms; the beef does not need to cook through here, you are only building flavor.
4. Transfer the seared beef to the slow cooker insert.
5. Add the onion, carrots, celery, potatoes, and garlic to the slow cooker.
6. In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce, then pour it over everything in the slow cooker.
7. Stir in the thyme and tuck in the bay leaf.
8. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours, or on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours, until the beef and vegetables are very tender.
9. Check doneness by pressing a piece of beef with a fork; it should break apart easily rather than feel chewy or springy, and the potatoes should be soft all the way through when pierced.
10. Stir in the frozen peas during the last 15 minutes of cooking, leaving the lid on so the heat stays in.
11. Remove and discard the bay leaf, then taste and adjust the salt and pepper.
12. The stew is done when the broth has thickened slightly and clings to the back of a spoon; if it still looks thin, mash a few potato pieces against the side of the pot to help thicken it.
13. Ladle into bowls and serve hot, with crusty bread if you like.

Tips

Why You'll Love This

• Thick, comforting, and freezer-friendly
• Loaded with vegetables in every bite
• Beef becomes fork-tender without any watching
• Great for meal prepping lunches for the week

Nutrition

Nutrition values are estimated per serving based on the ingredients used.