Crockpot Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

Crockpot Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

Don’t let the long list of ingredients keep you from trying this delicious and satisfying dish. With a little bit of prep, this “meal in a pot” comes together quite quickly as no browning of the meat is needed. Loaded with tummy-filling root vegetables, this savory and slightly sweet beef stew will be a wonderful dinner to serve to your family on a chilly autumn or winter night.

Recipe adapted from: Slow Cooker Pot Roast Stew via Better Homes and Gardens

Yield: about 4 servings
Author: Linda Shapiro, © Meal Planning Maven

Ingredients

Spice Rub

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 5 cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked or regular paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Stew

  • 3 pounds boneless chuck roast trimmed and cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 1 large onion cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 6 large carrots peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 2 medium turnips scrubbed, trimmed and cut into 2-inch chunks (peeled if desired)
  • 2 medium rutabagas scrubbed, trimmed and cut into 2-inch chunks (peeled if desired)
  • 3 medium yellow beets scrubbed, trimmed and cut into 2-inch chunks (peeled if desired)
  • 1 cup unsweetened dried apricots
  • 1 cup unsweetened dried figs cut in half

Stew Liquid

  • 1/2 cup red wine or 100% unsweetened pomegranate juice such as POM
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic or apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup all-natural reduced sodium beef broth or stock
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon crushed dried rosemary
  • 2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Cooked whole wheat couscous brown rice or quinoa (see MPM Mini-Bites for a delicious serving suggestion)

Instructions

Up to 24 Hours Ahead:

  • In a blender or food processor, combine all spice rub ingredients, forming into a paste. Transfer to a large bowl. (Spice rub may be made up to 3 days ahead. Store covered and refrigerated.)
  • Place beef cubes in bowl. Rub spice mixture into beef cubes, massaging thoroughly. Cover; refrigerate for at least 8 hours (preferably overnight) to allow flavors to blend .

Assembly and Cooking

  • Arrange onions, sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, rutabagas, beets, apricots and figs in bottom of a 6-quart crockpot . Top with beef cubes. (If your crockpot is smaller, you may have to reduce the quantity of vegetables some to avoid overcrowding.)
  • In a small bowl, combine ingredients for stew liquid. Pour mixture over meat and vegetables.
  • Cover: cook on High setting for 1 hour and Low setting for about 6 hours or until meat and all vegetables are cooked through and tender. (can also cook on Low setting for about 8 hours) As crockpots vary, adjust cooking time if needed. Taste; adjust salt and seasonings as desired .
  • Serve over hot cooked whole wheat couscous, brown rice or quinoa.

Notes

Make Ahead and Storage Tips: stew may be prepared up to 3 days ahead. Reheat in crockpot on Low setting for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until heated through. (Or reheat in the oven at 325 degrees, covered F for about 20 minutes.) This dish may be frozen for up to 4 months. Spice rub and stew liquid may be made up to 3 days ahead; cover and refrigerate.
Crockpot Cooking Tip: if you find when you make stew that your vegetables aren’t always as soft as you like, simply cut them into smaller pieces before cooking.
Prefer thicker gravy? Carefully place about 1/3 of the veggies and gravy into a blender or food processor. (or use an immersion blender in the crockpot) Process on low speed or “pulse” until gravy has a slightly chunky consistency. Pour gravy over stew, combining with remaining beef and vegetable mixture .
This stew is wonderful served with Israeli Couscous with Chickpeas ‘n Vegetables and would also be delicious made with lamb. Another dish you may like is Crockpot Moroccan Beef Stew.

 

8 Responses

  1. This stew sounds absolutely fabulous, Linda. I love the use of the slow cooker too. Perfect!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you Nicole! This stew is packed with great flavors...I hope you have the chance to try it sometime!
  2. Such a hearty and delicious meal Linda!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you Kecia!
  3. These root veggies make a perfect addition to this beef stew; and slow cooked makes it even better!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Absolutely! Root vegetables add a natural sweetness to this stew which is a pleasant change from more traditional recipes.
  4. I was here! Gave you further love from here in the form of SU and YUM. The bookmarklet for yum works better than your button as it brings in the correct photo!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you soooooo very much Patty! I have been fussing with Yummly to fix the photo upload issue but in the meantime I tell everyone to use the bookmarklet.