"European" Beef Stew
This recipe has been my go to for many years and is one of the first recipes I make in the fall season. I put quotes around European because as I've always known it, it is Irish and British beef stew. Others may not know it as that. Enjoy!
Ingredients: Feeds ~8
2 pounds stew meat
2 beef bouillon cubes (1 per pound, so if you’re making a smaller amount. They make these GF)
2 packs brown gravy (gluten free if you’re GF)
2 pounds frozen mixed vegetables, or preferred vegetables. I like peas and fresh baby carrots.
Potatoes as desired (we usually about 2.5-3 pounds of potatoes to feed 8)
Corn starch as necessary for thickness later.
Flour (gluten free if needed) - enough to coat the stew meat
Seasonings as desired:
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp pepper (pepper will be also be used to preseason stew meat)
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp italian herbs
Small amount of salt to preseason stew meat.
Directions:
First:
Preseason stew meat with preferred salt and pepper to taste. I personally use very little salt, and prefer himalayan salt. I have used kosher, iodized and sea salt. I will then use a ziplock bag and coat the meat in a thin layer of GF flour, but I add some of the spices above to this bag as well for when I sear the meat. If it’s your first time making it, try
Next and most important:
Sear the stew meat. This locks in the flavor. Couple minutes on each side.
Place meat in the bottom of the crockpot.
Prepare bouillon cubes with hot water, put that in
Mix gravy packs and spices in
Put vegetables in
Add enough water that ingredients are almost underwater
Stir to combine
Two way step
Option 1: You can cut and put potatoes here by putting them on top if you’re cooking for 3-4 hours or on low and don’t have time
Option 2: If you have time, put them in at 6 hours if you’re doing it on low and give it a stir.
Add the lid and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 3-4 making sure the internal temperature of the meat is 165 or breaking apart easily.
If you want a thicker consistency, the last 20-30 minutes add in a teaspoon of cornstarch at a time, stir to combine, in 10 minute intervals.
Serve and enjoy
