This vegetable beef stew in a crock pot recipe is so delicious. It's a great way to use up a ton of fresh vegetables with very little work.
What do you do when you have a bunch of vegetables on hand, and you know that they are going to spoil soon if you don't make something with them? How about a hearty and simple harvest vegetable beef stew?
I had a handful of great harvest veggies from the CSA and I knew that I needed to find a way to cook them soon, but with our schedules timing was an issue.
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Here's what I had on hand. A whole bowl of veggies. The simple solution was to make stew. Soup is another option, but I knew that a stew would allow me to cook them all in a slow cooker, with less prep time, and provide a nice hearty meal with plenty left over.
Harvest Vegetable Beef Stew
One of the things I like to add to many soups and stews is fresh herbs. For some reason, I prefer thyme with vegetable and beef stew. All you have to do is wash it, and place a rubber band around the bunch.
Then toss it on top of the stew. The rubber band will tighten as the bunch cooks up and when the stew is finished cooking, you can toss out what's left.
My other little tip is to add a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste near the end. It helps thicken the stew and adds a nice bright flavor.
Super easy, hearty, healthy, and wholesome. How's that for an alliteration of deliciousness?
More Tasty Stew Recipes
Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef stew meat or chuck roast
- 1 eggplant peeled and chopped into 1 inch pieces
- 1 medium onion - diced
- 2 carrots cleaned and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 celery stalks cleaned and sliced
- 1 rutabaga peeled and sliced thin
- 1 summer squash cleaned and chopped into bite size pieces
- 5 small tomatoes
- 2 small white potatoes quartered
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 small sweet potatoes chopped into bit size pieces
- 1 large bunch of fresh thyme
- large pinch salt & black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Instructions
- In a large slow cooker combine all vegetables.
- Place beef cubes on top.
- Place a rubber band around the thyme and place on top of beef.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours
- Add tomato paste and stir.
- Cook for an additional hour, then serve
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Michaelann Jackson
I'm wondering if the veggies will provide enough liquids for the stew? You don't list any broth or anything to go in it. I think I'm going to use some beef broth.
Patti Estep
Hi Michaelann,
That's right. I did not add any other liquid. There was plenty of liquid from the veggies, but it was a stew. If you want it to be more soup like go ahead and add the broth. I'm sure you'll love it either way.
FrenchGardenHouse
Patti, this looks easy and delicious! Perfect for a fall weekend, thank you for sharing this recipe.
Patti Estep
Hi Lidy,
It's a great super easy and tasty one. I hope you try it and of course, you can put your own spin on it.
Carole
This stew looks tasty and in about another month something I will put on the list for dinner. Still pretty warm here, love stew in cooler temperatures. I may have to look into a CSA for my off seasons.. Was hoping to get in a Fall garden but it's not looking very promising.
Patti Estep
Hi Carole,
I'm sure you can find a great CSA in your new space. Mine has a regular market that you can shop in on the weekends without being a member. I may resort to that next year because even at the 1/2 basket level, it's sometimes more than we can handle. Just another fun thing for you to explore in your new territory.