I need help with making a beef stew.

Chicky0727

So I want to make a beef stew in my crockpot but its been so long. I have the beef bits cut up and i have celery, carrots, potatoes, and onions. What is the best way to make it in a crockpot? And what else should i add for taste and whatnot. How long should i cook it for? Ive made it on the stovetop but crockpot tastes so much better in my opinion. Thanks for the help!

LuvMyBobs

I usually use my pressure cooker to make my beef stew. I put the cubed meat and onions in and let cook for about 15 min. Then add carrots, potatoes and enough tomato sauce to just cover. I let that cook for about 20 min. If I was doing it in a crock pot, I would just throw in all the ingredients and let cook 6-8 hours on low and see what happens.

Chicky0727

LuvMyBobs:

I usually use my pressure cooker to make my beef stew. I put the cubed meat and onions in and let cook for about 15 min. Then add carrots, potatoes and enough tomato sauce to just cover. I let that cook for about 20 min. If I was doing it in a crock pot, I would just throw in all the ingredients and let cook 6-8 hours on low and see what happens.

My MIL just bought a pressure cooker...maybe i need to invest in one. Thanks for the advice tho. Guess ill put it all in and see what happens too!

Chicky0727

AshC311:

I'd just add 1 cup of beef broth per pound of beef.  1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper, some minced/powered garlic, and 1 tbsp flour per pound of beef to thicken it up a bit.

I normally buy the McCormicks brand beef stew spice packets and follow the directions on the back.  But if I forget to grab one, I do what I said above.

Thanks! Ill try that.

Aviee

I did beef in the croc the other day, but it ended up a roast because I was too lazy to chop it up.  I just threw everything together and left it on low all day.  For broth, I'd use a little bit of beef broth or a bullion cube mixture and flour to make it thicker.  With the beef and onions and celery and potatoes, I added some garlic for the flavor and left it as is.  No salt or pepper and it was really good IMO.

skio

I shake my beef cubes in flour and brown them with some garlic before putting them in the crock pot. Then add onions, celery, salt, pepper, a little worcestershire sauce, a bay leaf, and 2-4 cups of beef stock (for 2-3lbs of beef, usually). Cook for 4-6 hours on high (or 8-10 on low, but I never have that kind of time).

I add the carrots and potatoes in for the last two hours, otherwise they turn to mush and I prefer them a little firmer. Add corn starch to thicken if necessary (make sure you thin it in water first - I ended up with little corn starch balls in my stew one year because I just poured it in and it was gross).

Chicky0727

Aviee:

I did beef in the croc the other day, but it ended up a roast because I was too lazy to chop it up.  I just threw everything together and left it on low all day.  For broth, I'd use a little bit of beef broth or a bullion cube mixture and flour to make it thicker.  With the beef and onions and celery and potatoes, I added some garlic for the flavor and left it as is.  No salt or pepper and it was really good IMO.

Nice. That sounds good too. Ill definitely add some garlic.

JJsMom211

skio:

I shake my beef cubes in flour and brown them with some garlic before putting them in the crock pot. Then add onions, celery, salt, pepper, a little worcestershire sauce, a bay leaf, and 2-4 cups of beef stock (for 2-3lbs of beef, usually). Cook for 4-6 hours on high (or 8-10 on low, but I never have that kind of time).

I add the carrots and potatoes in for the last two hours, otherwise they turn to mush and I prefer them a little firmer. Add corn starch to thicken if necessary (make sure you thin it in water first - I ended up with little corn starch balls in my stew one year because I just poured it in and it was gross).

I do almost the same exact thing, only I add a little red wine along with the beef stock and I tie a bunch of fresh rosemary, thyme, and one bay leaf together and add to the pot. With the corn starch, you can take 1/8th of a cup of the stew broth, pour in a bowl and add however much corn starch you need and whisk together. Add to the pot when smooth.

CABoyle

JJsMom211:

skio:

I shake my beef cubes in flour and brown them with some garlic before putting them in the crock pot. Then add onions, celery, salt, pepper, a little worcestershire sauce, a bay leaf, and 2-4 cups of beef stock (for 2-3lbs of beef, usually). Cook for 4-6 hours on high (or 8-10 on low, but I never have that kind of time).

I add the carrots and potatoes in for the last two hours, otherwise they turn to mush and I prefer them a little firmer. Add corn starch to thicken if necessary (make sure you thin it in water first - I ended up with little corn starch balls in my stew one year because I just poured it in and it was gross).

I do almost the same exact thing, only I add a little red wine along with the beef stock and I tie a bunch of fresh rosemary, thyme, and one bay leaf together and add to the pot. With the corn starch, you can take 1/8th of a cup of the stew broth, pour in a bowl and add however much corn starch you need and whisk together. Add to the pot when smooth.

Ditto the red wine.  

Taryn0127

I put everything in there that you do, but I also add stewed tomatoes. Then salt, pepper, and garlic powder are the main spices I put in it.