Best Ever Beef Stew Recipe
Discover the ultimate comfort food with this Best Ever Beef Stew recipe. Perfectly tender beef and hearty vegetables make this dish a must-try for any occasion.
Ingredients:
– 2 pounds beef stew meat: Premium quality beef for a rich, protein-packed stew.
– ½ cup all-purpose flour: Essential for thickening and coating the beef.
– 1 tablespoon seasoning salt: Enhances the meat’s natural flavors.
– 2 tablespoons olive oil: Adds a healthy fat for browning the beef.
– ½ teaspoon black pepper: A key spice for depth of flavor.
– 1 large onion, diced: Provides a sweet and savory base.
– 2 bay leaves: Adds a subtle, aromatic touch.
– ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce: Gives a tangy, umami-rich flavor.
– 2 cups water: Forms the broth’s base.
– 2 heaping teaspoons beef demi-glace (or beef Swanson Flavor Boost): Intensifies the beef flavor.
– 4 medium to large red-skinned potatoes, washed & diced: Adds a hearty, comforting texture.
– 3 large carrots, peeled & sliced: Introduces sweetness and color.
– 1 stalk celery, diced: For additional flavor and crunch.
Directions:
1. Coat the Beef: Shake the beef stew meat in a resealable plastic bag with the flour and seasoning salt until evenly coated.
2. Brown the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a skillet; add the floured stew meat and brown on all sides. Remove using a slotted spoon or tongs and place into the bottom of a slow cooker. Season with black pepper.
3. Sauté the Onions: In the same hot skillet, sauté the diced onion for 2 minutes. No need to clean the skillet—those browned bits add extra flavor! Transfer the onions into the slow cooker.
4. Prepare the Broth: Pour the Worcestershire sauce, water, and beef demi-glace (or Swanson Flavor Boost) into the skillet. Whisk until mixed, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Turn off the heat and set aside.
5. Add Vegetables: Add the diced potatoes, carrots, celery, and bay leaves to the slow cooker.
6. Combine and Cook: Pour the broth/Worcestershire mixture into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
7. **Serve**: Remove the bay leaves before serving. Enjoy the Best Ever Beef Stew with your favorite bread or over rice.
