This heart-healthy recipe is the kind of dish that slow cookers were made for. With this version of a classic beef stew, we were able to keep the sodium in check but not sacrifice on taste. The "low-and-slow" cooking process allows all of the natural flavors of the ingredients to meld perfectly together and provide that savory depth that you want in a stew. Adding a lot of extra salt is not necessary when you have the magic of beef, root veggies, garlic and onion, dried herbs, red wine, broth, etc. simmering away together for hours. It also enables you to use a leaner cut of beef and have it stay perfectly tender.
Throw it all into the slow cooker in the morning and get ready to enjoy a warm, delicious bowl for dinner.
Classic Slow Cooker Beef Stew
(Downloadable/printable pdf of this recipe)
Yield: 6 servings (about 1 cup each)
Ingredients:
1 pound lean beef stew meat, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon dried thyme, divided
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, divided
2 cloves garlic, peeled, minced
2 cups onion, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
2 cups peeled whole carrots, cut into bite-size pieces
2 cups peeled parsnips, cut into bite-size pieces
1/3 cup tomato paste
2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
1/4 cup red wine
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions:
Place beef, flour, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, 1/4 teaspoon oregano and garlic in a bowl and toss to coat. Place coated beef in a slow cooker and add onion, carrots, parsnips, tomato paste, beef broth, and wine. Stir to combine slightly. Cover and cook on low setting for 8 hours or high setting for 4 hours. Turn slow cooker off and add remaining thyme, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
Nutrition Information Per Serving: 230 Calories; 4 grams Fat; 2 grams Saturated Fat; 54 mg Cholesterol; 408 mg Sodium; 25 grams Carbohydrates; 5 grams Fiber; 22 grams Protein
Looking for more info and want to make an appointment with a registered dietitian? Call 1-855-434-5483 or visit Nutrition Services on henryford.com.
