Healthy Crock Pot Beef Stew

Healthy Crock Pot Beef Stew

Are you looking at the picture and thinking, ‘Tomatoes and broccoli in the slow cooker for 7 hours?' Yes! They will turn into a delicious, thick broth that is super nutritious as they cook all day. You can add more traditional veggies a little bit before serving. This is an easy way to make a hearty stew that everyone will love, with minimal preparation required because you did the majority of it on the front end before freezing your food. If you need an easy beef stew recipe for slow cooker, a crockpot beef stew with no browning, or even the best slow cooker beef stew, our Crockpot Freezer Beef Stew Recipe is sure to leave everyone satisfied. We just know that you'll love it! Beef stew, that hearty and comforting dish loved worldwide, boasts a rich and diverse history! We hope that this Healthy Crock Pot Beef Stew recipe inspires you. 

Healthy Crock Pot Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 2-3 pounds of stew meat
• ½ cup of A1 steak sauce
• ½ cup of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 medium onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 small tomato
• 1 broccoli stock and head
• 1 Ziploc gallon-size freezer bag

Healthy Crock Pot Beef Stew

Directions

1. Add the liquids to the before chopping veggies, and let marinate in the refrigerator for about 24 hours.
2. Thoroughly wash all of your veggies.  Using a peeler, remove the outer layer of the broccoli stock and ends.  Add your veggies to the meat, mixing the items up so they are evenly spread out.
3. Flatten on the counter so the freezer bag will take up less space and thaw faster.  Freeze for up to six months.
4. When you are ready to cook your meal simply take it out of the freezer about 24 hours before wanting to cook it.
5. Place in your slow cooker with roughly 4 cups of liquid of your choice and cook on low for about 5-8 hours.  Once your meat has cooked for a few hours your veggies should be nice and soft, at this time you can scoop them out, puree, and put them back into the crock, mash them with a fork, or leave them as they are.
6. About an hour before serving add any veggies you would like to have with the meat such as potatoes and carrots.

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History of Beef Stew

• Ancient Simmers: The concept of stew itself stretches back far, with the oldest evidence (a fish stew!) found in Japan, dating back to 6000 BC. By the 1st century AD, the Roman cookbook “Apicius” mentions lamb and fish stews, hinting at an early embrace of this cooking method.
• Medieval Variations: Throughout the Middle Ages, stews were a common way to utilize various meats, vegetables, and leftover ingredients. The 14th-century French cookbook “Le Viandier” features “ragouts,” early versions of stew incorporating various meats and wines.
• The Beef Boom: While stews existed for centuries, specific references to “beef stew” emerged later. French and Italian recipes from the 16th and 17th centuries mention beef stews, though often resembling meat sauces for pasta. Across Europe, stews, including beef stews, likely developed as a way to stretch limited resources and utilize tougher cuts of meat that benefited from long, slow cooking.
• Global Inspirations: In the 19th century American West, cowboys on cattle drives relied on “chuckwagon” stews, using readily available beef and vegetables over campfires. This classic stew, featuring lamb and root vegetables, emerged in the 19th century and became a symbol of Irish cuisine.
• Modern Evolution: The 20th century saw beef stew adapt to changing times. The Great Depression and World War II rationing encouraged the resourceful use of ingredients, leading to creative variations. Post-war prosperity brought convenience foods, influencing beef stews with canned ingredients and pre-made mixes. Today, there's a renewed interest in fresh, seasonal ingredients and slow cooking methods, reviving classic beef stew recipes with a modern twist.

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Fun Facts About Beef Stew

• National Beef Stew Day is celebrated on December 13th in the US, a perfect excuse to indulge in a warm and comforting bowl!
• The term “stew” comes from the Middle English word “stue,” meaning “to stew or simmer.”
• The first written reference to “Irish stew” appears in Byron's poem “The Devil's Drive” (1814), highlighting its historical presence.
• The invention of the meat grinder in the late 1800s facilitated the creation of ground beef stews, a modern twist.
• Beef stews come in countless variations worldwide, from Moroccan Tanjia to Hungarian Pörkölt.
• The world's largest beef stew weighed over 6 tons, made in Canada in 2010.

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Healthy Crock Pot Beef Stew

The next time you savor a bowl of steaming beef stew, remember its rich history, from ancient civilizations to modern kitchens. It's a testament to our enduring love for comforting, flavorful dishes that bring people together, regardless of time or place. Beef stew boasts a rich history that stretches back millennia, simmering with fascinating stories and cultural influences.  We hope that you are inspired by our Crockpot Freezer Beef Stew Recipe. Happy cooking!