Autumn Beef Stew Recipe
🍂 Autumn Beef Stew 🍂
Description: Dive into the heartwarming flavors of autumn with this comforting beef stew recipe. Perfect for chilly evenings, it’s a hearty blend of tender beef, savory vegetables, and aromatic herbs, cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.
Recipe Category: Stew
Keywords: comfort food, slow cooker, beef stew, autumn recipe
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 673
- Total Fat: 28.4g
- Saturated Fat: 13.5g
- Cholesterol: 114.8mg
- Sodium: 619.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 8.4g
- Sugars: 7.9g
- Protein: 39g
Cooking Times:
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 20 minutes | 9 hours | 9 hours 20 minutes |
Ingredients:
- 12 small potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1 large carrot, sliced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
Instructions:
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Prepare Slow Cooker: Place potatoes, carrots, and onions in a 5-quart slow cooker.
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Brown Beef: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and brown on all sides until evenly seared.
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Transfer to Slow Cooker: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the browned beef cubes to the slow cooker on top of the vegetables.
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Make Gravy: In the same skillet with the remaining drippings, stir in the flour until well blended. Cook and stir continuously until the flour is lightly browned.
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Add Water: Gradually add water to the skillet, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened into a gravy-like consistency.
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Season: Stir in salt, dried parsley flakes, celery seed, dried thyme, and black pepper into the gravy mixture. Adjust seasoning to taste.
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Combine All Ingredients: Pour the seasoned gravy over the beef and vegetable mixture in the slow cooker. Gently mix everything together until well combined.
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Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on low heat setting for 8 to 9 hours, or until the vegetables are tender and the beef is cooked through and tenderized.
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Serve: Once cooked, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired.
Tips for Perfect Autumn Beef Stew:
- Choosing Meat: Opt for stew meat that is well-marbled with fat, as this will result in a more tender and flavorful stew.
- Slow Cooking: Cooking on low heat for a long duration allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, producing a rich and hearty stew.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to customize the vegetables according to your preference or seasonal availability. Root vegetables like parsnips or turnips can be wonderful additions.
- Thickening Gravy: If you prefer a thicker gravy, increase the amount of flour slightly or cook the gravy for a bit longer until desired consistency is achieved.
- Make Ahead: This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. It can also be frozen for future meals.
Enjoy this Autumn Beef Stew with a side of crusty bread or over fluffy mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal that warms both body and soul. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends, it’s a recipe that celebrates the flavors of the season in every comforting spoonful.
