Slow Cooker Classic Beef Stew

This is an old recipe, but a good one!  I changed the picture (everything is the same except no celery this time).  I am trying to update my photos now that I am actually taking better pictures :)  Since this was dinner tonight I am re-sharing this great recipe.  Enjoy!

It was a bit chilly out this morning...a whopping 12 degrees...BRRRRR!!!  So when I looked at my meal plan calendar and saw classic beef stew was on the menu I was happy.  I had thoughts in my head about switching the menu yet again to make sure I made something hearty and comforting tonight that would warm us up.  Fortunately, I did not have too and everything turned out great.  We served our stew with the leftover homemade cheese and garlic breadsticks.  Just popped them in a 200 degree oven for about 10 minutes just to warm them back up.

Slow Cooker Classic Beef Stew

2 lbs stew meat (really you can use just about anything...just cube it up)

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup olive oil

1 large onion, diced

1 6-oz can tomato paste

1/2 cup red wine (can use beef broth)

5 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

2 stalks of celery, chopped

1 16-oz bag of baby carrots

2 cups beef broth

salt, pepper, and garlic salt to taste

1 tsp dried thyme

1 bay leaf

1 cup frozen peas

1. Season meat with salt, pepper, and garlic salt.  Toss the meat with the flour to coat
2. Heat oil over medium-high heat and brown meat in batches (don't over crowd  the pan) and then place in slow cooker
3. Add onion and celery to skillet and cook until tender about 5-10 minutes
4. Add tomato paste and thoroughly coat onions and celery.  Place mixture over beef in slow cooker
5. Add red wine to skillet and scrape up any brown bits.  Reduce about 5 minutes and pour into slow cooker
6. Add  potatoes, carrots, thyme, bay leaf, and broth to slow cooker.  Mix well and cook on low for 8 hours
7. Add peas when done and just heat through

There is nothing like a bowl of stew to warm you up on a cold evening.  There is just something comforting and soothing about it.  This is no different.  It's thick, hearty, and tender.  You can't go wrong with that combination!

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The theme for this month is slow cooker meals. If you have a slow cooker meal you would like to share add it below.