Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Are you in the mood for a comforting, flavorful meal that's easy to make? Look no further than this slow cooker beef stew! This classic recipe is a perfect example of how to take a few simple ingredients and turn them into a satisfying, homemade meal. The best part? It's ready when you are, thanks to the magic of the slow cooker.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds cubed beef stew meat
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup baby carrots
• 4 large potatoes, cubed
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 ounce package dry onion mix
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 1/4 cup warm water

Directions

1. Brown the Meat: Place the beef in a large plastic bag. Combine flour and salt, then pour into the bag with the meat and shake to coat. Over medium-high heat, add the stew meat and cook until evenly browned on the outside.
2. Prepare the Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned meat to a slow cooker along with the carrots, potatoes, parsley, and pepper.
3. Make the Gravy: In a small bowl, stir together boiling water and dry onion mix. Pour into the slow cooker. Melt butter in the same skillet and sauté onions until softened. Remove from heat and pour into the slow cooker. Finally, add red wine to the skillet, stirring to loosen any brown bits at the bottom, then pour into the slow cooker.
4. Cook and Thicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook for 6 hours or until the meat is fork tender. In a small bowl, mix together flour and warm water. Stir into the stew and cook uncovered for 15 minutes or until thickened.

Suggested Variations

• Add your favorite vegetables, such as diced bell peppers or sliced mushrooms, to make the stew even more hearty.
• If you prefer a thicker gravy, use less water when mixing with flour or add more flour to thicken.
• For a slightly different flavor, substitute beef broth for some of the water in the slow cooker.