Brown Stew(Crock-Pot)
A hearty, flavorful beef stew with tender meat, carrots, potatoes, and green beans simmered in rich broth, perfect for comforting family dinners and slow-cooker convenience.
Ingredients
- 2 lb beef chuck roast or thick cut round, trimmed and cubed ⓘ
- oil ⓘ
- 4 c water ⓘ
- 1 tsp lemon juice ⓘ
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, chopped ⓘ
- 2 small bay leaves ⓘ
- 2 tsp salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp pepper ⓘ
- pinch of allspice ⓘ
- 1 tsp sugar ⓘ
- carrots ⓘ
- potatoes ⓘ
- 4 beef bouillon cubes ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the beef in a small amount of oil in a heavy skillet.
- Drain off any excess oil and transfer the browned meat to the crock-pot.
- Add water, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, chopped onion, bay leaves, salt, pepper, allspice, and sugar to the crock-pot.
- Cook on low for about 8 hours or on high for 6 hours.
- After 2 hours of cooking, add the scrubbed and cubed carrots and potatoes.
- About 30 minutes before serving, add the bouillon cubes and green beans.
- Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Just before serving, mix cornstarch with water and add to the stew to thicken the broth.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, sear the beef longer until it has a deep brown crust. You can substitute the beef with chicken or turkey for a lighter version. If you prefer a thicker stew, add more cornstarch mixed with water towards the end of the cooking time. This Brown Stew pairs well with crusty bread or a simple side salad.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty Brown Stew with a side of steamed rice or mashed potatoes to soak up the flavorful broth. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme on top adds a nice touch. Consider pairing it with a crisp green salad for a well-rounded meal. This dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the stew on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also use a microwave, heating in short intervals and stirring in between for even warming.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Brown Stew(Crock-Pot) contains roughly 1525 calories, with 7g protein, 42g carbohydrates, and 155g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (171% of the Daily Value), iron (86% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (53% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1211mg per serving (53% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I substitute for beef bouillon cubes?
If you don't have beef bouillon cubes, you can use homemade beef broth or vegetable broth as a substitute. Just adjust the salt in the recipe accordingly, as store-bought broths can vary in sodium content. This will help maintain the stew's rich flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).