Slow Cooker Series | Irish Beef Stew

If you know me in the winter time in Georgia, I’m covered up with layers like an Eskimo in Alaska! Not weathering cold temps well, I turn to warm foods like this hearty beef stew to keep me nice and toasty. With minimal preparation and less than 380 calories per serving, this "set it and forget it" in a slow cooker Irish Beef Stew is perfect for my waistline, cold nature and the blustery conditions outside this wintry weekend.

Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef stew meat
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 2 medium Russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon lower-sodium soy sauce
• 2 1/2 cups low sodium beef broth
• 1/4 cup beer
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup peas
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

Directions

Sprinkle stew meat with salt and toss till well combined. Using a fork, prick the meat in multiple places to tenderize. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour, but ideally refrigerate overnight.

Toss the meat with flour. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and then sear meat until browned on the outside.

While meat is browning, mix together tomato paste, soy sauce, beef stock (use more if you like it more soupy than stewy) and Guinness & red wine (if using) in slow cooker.

Transfer meat (browned or not) to slow cooker. Add garlic, onions, carrots, potatoes, bay leaves, and black pepper.

Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4 until meat is falling apart and tender.

If using peas, microwave for ~1 minute and then fold them into stew.

Remove bay leaves. Season to taste with salt and pepper and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Serves: 4 |  Serving Size: 2 cups

Per serving: Calories: 363; Total Fat: 11g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 9mg; Sodium: 582mg; Carbohydrate: 35g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Sugar: 7g; Protein: 27g

Nutrition Bonus: Potassium: 1208mg; Iron: 19%; Vitamin A: 83%; Vitamin C: 31%; Calcium: 4% 

As always, love much, laugh often, eat delicious, nutritious and filling food and look fabulous while doing it all! ;) Love, Blair