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Cozy Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Beef Stew: Easy Budget Recipe

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A budget-friendly, hands-off slow cooker beef stew that delivers deep, rich flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for busy nights when you need a warm, comforting meal without breaking the bank.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 to 2 pounds beef stew meat
  • 2 medium yellow onions, diced
  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 3 stalks celery, sliced
  • 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1-inch pieces
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vegetables: dice the onions, slice the carrots into thick rounds, slice the celery, peel and cube the potatoes into 1-inch pieces, and mince the garlic.
  2. Layer the ingredients in the slow cooker: place the cubed beef stew meat at the bottom, then add the diced onions, sliced carrots, sliced celery, and cubed potatoes on top. Sprinkle the minced garlic over everything.
  3. Add the liquids and seasonings: pour the beef broth and undrained diced tomatoes over the vegetables. Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaves. Stir gently to combine, making sure the tomato paste dissolves. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
  4. Cook low and slow: cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours (or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours).
  5. Check for doneness: after 8 hours, the meat should be fork-tender and vegetables soft. Remove and discard bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Thicken the broth (optional): if desired, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook on HIGH for 15 to 20 minutes, uncovered, until thickened.
  7. Add the peas (optional): if using frozen peas, stir them in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  8. Rest before serving: let the stew sit for about 10 minutes. Serve hot with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes.

Notes

For best flavor, use low-sodium broth and season at the end. Don’t lift the lid during cooking. The stew tastes even better the next day. If you have time, searing the meat before adding it to the slow cooker adds extra depth.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef stew, poor man's stew, budget beef stew, easy beef stew, comfort food, slow cooker recipe

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/cozy-slow-cooker-poor-mans-beef-stew-easy-budget-recipe/