Stew Meat and Potatoes Crock Pot Recipe: Easy and Delicious Comfort Food

Cooking stew meat and potatoes in a crock pot is a fantastic way to enjoy a hearty and comforting meal with minimal effort. This guide presents a clear and detailed recipe for creating a delicious stew using your crock pot, perfect for a satisfying dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4-5 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

1. Prep Your Ingredients:

• Prepare the Vegetables: Peel and dice the potatoes, slice the carrots, and dice the onion.
• Cut the Meat: Trim excess fat from the stew meat and cut it into bite-sized pieces.

2. Brown the Meat (Optional Step):

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the stew meat in batches. This step adds flavor to the stew but can be skipped if you prefer a quicker preparation.

3. Assemble the Stew in the Crock Pot:

• Place the browned (or raw) stew meat into the crock pot.
• Add the diced potatoes, sliced carrots, diced onion, and minced garlic.

4. Prepare the Broth Mixture:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.

5. Pour the Broth Mixture Over the Ingredients:

• Pour the prepared broth mixture over the meat and vegetables in the crock pot. Stir gently to combine.

6. Cook on Low Heat:

• Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours, or until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Alternatively, cook on high heat for 3-4 hours.

7. Optional Thickening (if desired):

• About 30 minutes before serving, mix 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour with 1/4 cup of cold water until smooth. Stir the mixture into the stew to thicken the broth. Cook for an additional 30 minutes.

8. Serve and Enjoy:

• Once the stew is cooked to your liking and thickened (if desired), taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
• Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs like parsley if desired.

Tips for Perfect Stew:

• Meat Tenderness: For tender meat, ensure you cut it into small, even pieces and cook on low heat for the recommended time.
• Vegetable Texture: Cut vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
• Flavor Enhancement: Browning the meat before adding it to the crock pot adds depth to the stew's flavor.

Conclusion

This stew meat and potatoes crock pot recipe provides a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy a classic comfort food dish. With minimal preparation and hands-on cooking time, you can create a satisfying meal that is perfect for chilly evenings or busy days. Try this recipe and savor the delicious combination of tender meat, hearty potatoes, and savory broth in every bite.