Are you craving a hearty, mouthwatering meal that practically cooks itself? Look no further than this Ultra Fit Crock Pot Beef Stew – the secret weapon for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal effort! Imagine coming home to a kitchen filled with rich, aromatic herbs and tender beef that melts in your mouth, all achieved with just 15 minutes of prep time and the magic of slow cooking.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 8 hrs
Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat
- 4 cups beef broth
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim any excess fat from the beef stew meat and cut into uniform 1-inch cubes if not already pre-cut.
- Season the beef cubes generously with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary, ensuring each piece is well-coated with the herbs and spices.
- Prepare the vegetables by washing and chopping: slice carrots into half-inch rounds, dice potatoes into 1-inch cubes, finely chop the onion, and mince the garlic cloves.
- Lightly spray or grease the inside of the crock pot to prevent sticking.
- Place the seasoned beef cubes at the bottom of the crock pot as the first layer.
- Add the chopped onions and minced garlic over the beef, distributing them evenly.
- Layer the sliced carrots and diced potatoes on top of the onions and beef.
- Pour the beef broth slowly over the ingredients, ensuring it covers most of the meat and vegetables.
- Cover the crock pot and set to low heat for 8 hours, allowing the stew to slow cook and develop rich, deep flavors.
- After 8 hours, check the meat's tenderness. It should be fork-tender and easily pull apart.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot in bowls, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley or additional herbs.
Tips
- Choose the Right Cut: Select well-marbled beef stew meat for maximum tenderness and flavor.
- Season Generously: Don't be shy with herbs and spices – they're key to developing deep, rich flavors.
- Layer Strategically: Place meat at the bottom and vegetables on top to ensure even cooking and optimal flavor distribution.
- Low and Slow is the Way to Go: Resist the temptation to rush the cooking process – 8 hours on low heat creates the most tender results.
- Avoid Lifting the Lid: Each time you remove the crock pot lid, you'll lose heat and extend cooking time.
- Optional Enhancement: For an extra flavor boost, consider searing the meat briefly before adding to the crock pot.
- Meal Prep Friendly: This stew tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for batch cooking and leftovers.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 90mg
