Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Name: Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 4 h 15 min
Total time: 4 h 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 2 pounds beef stew meat; 0.25 cup all-purpose flour; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper; 4 pieces carrots; 3 pieces potatoes; 12 ounces butternut squash; 1.5 cups reduced-sodium beef broth; 1 piece onion; 1 stalk celery; 4 cloves garlic; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 piece bay leaf; 0.5 head escarole

＋ Can I make this beef stew on the stovetop instead?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe for stovetop cooking. Brown the beef in a Dutch oven, add all ingredients except escarole, bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 2-3 hours until tender. Add escarole in the last 15 minutes.

＋ What cuts of beef work best for slow cooker stew?

Chuck roast, bottom round, or pre-cut stew meat work excellently. These tougher cuts become incredibly tender during the long, slow cooking process and develop rich flavor.

＋ Can I prep this stew ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prep all ingredients the night before, store them in the refrigerator, then add everything to the slow cooker in the morning. This makes busy weeknight dinners effortless.

＋ Why add the escarole at the end?

Escarole and other leafy greens cook very quickly and can become mushy if added too early. Adding them in the final 15-20 minutes preserves their texture and bright green color.