A Hearty, Comforting Dish: Denise's Homemade Slow-Cooked Beef Stew
- Written by Denise Snieguolė Wachter
- Cooking Time: Approx. 1 Min Prep + 6-8 Hours Cooking
- Category: Stew
Comforting Beef Stew: a long-simmered blend of beef and beans - Comforting beef and bean casserole: a long-simmered dish reminiscent of a warm embrace
Let's dive into a delectable slow-cooked beef stew that promises nothing but a big, comforting hug in every bowl. Get ready to savor flavors and warmth with this remarkable recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef stew meat (e.g., chuck or brisket)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed (15 oz)
- Optional: Other types of beans like black beans or pinto beans
- A splash of olive oil
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a splash of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef on all sides, around 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Sauté Onions & Garlic: In the same skillet, sauté the diced onions until they become translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a slow cooker, combine the browned beef, sautéed onions and garlic, diced tomatoes, beef broth, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to blend.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and let it simmer on low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours.
- Add Beans: Approximately 30 minutes before serving, add the kidney beans (or other preferred beans) to the slow cooker. Continue cooking until heated through.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
This simple yet satisfying recipe for slow-cooked beef stew can be tailored to your taste buds by adjusting the spices or adding extra ingredients based on your preferences or specific requirements. Enjoy the cozy, rich flavors of this hearty dish, perfect for those chilly days!
In Denise's recipe column, you'll find other tantalizing variations for this Homemade Slow-Cooked Beef Stew, where the fat content of the beef by weight can be adjusted for a leaner or richer dish. You could even consider adding black beans or pinto beans to boost the fiber content and make it more filling. This stew recipe is not just a hearty, comforting meal, but also a genuine pleasure that brings warmth and happiness to every section of your day.