This Beef Stew is one of the most amazing versions I have tried. From crockpot, stovetop, Instant Pot, or over an open fire while camping, this quickly became a family favorite.
Ingredients
¼cupFlourok to substitute gluten-free flour
2lbsbeef or pork stew meat1-inch cubes
2tablespoonsvegetable oil
4-5cupspeeled, cubed potatoes3-4 medium
4cupssliced carrots
2cupssliced celery
1cupschopped onion
4teaspooninstant beef bouillon granules (or better than bouillon)
4-6clovesgarlic, minced
1tablespoondried, crushed basil
1teaspoondried, crushed thyme
5cupsvegetable juice
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
Set the IP to Sauté and wait until the display reads HOT. While waiting, place flour in a plastic zip-top bag (gallon size works well). Add meat, seal bag, and shake well to coat meat with flour.
Once the display reads Hot, add 1 Tbs. of the Vegetable oil, use a wooden spoon to coat the bottom of the pot with the oil. Add ½ of the meat and brown in the hot oil. Remove cooked pieces, set aside. Repeat with remaining meat and oil. Remove all the meat from the pot when done browning. If necessary, drain off fat.
Add the vegetable juice to the IP and scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pot.
Add the browned meat, and remaining ingredients to the IP and stir to mix.
Put on the lid and set it to seal.
35 minutes on soup/stew (manual should work too).
20 min NPR, then (I have also done a total NPR and saw no difference). I promise the vegetables do not disintegrate or turn to mush.
Serve and Eat!
Crock Pot instructions:
Place flour in a plastic zip-top bag (gallon size works well). Add meat, seal bag, and shake well to coat meat with flour. In a large skillet, brown meat, half at a time in hot vegetable oil.
While the meat is browning, layer potatoes, onions, carrots and celery, bullion, garlic, basil, and thyme.
Top with the browned meat. Pour the vegetable juice over the meat.
over and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3.5-4.5 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender.
Serve and Eat!
Stove Top (also works in a cast-iron Dutch oven hanging over a campfire)
Place flour in a plastic zip-top bag (gallon size works well). Add meat, seal bag, and shake well to coat meat with flour. In a Dutch oven, brown meat, half at a time in hot vegetable oil.
When the meat is done, add the vegetable juice and scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pot.
Return the browned meat to the pot, and add the bouillon. Cover and cook at a low simmer for 30 minutes.
Add potatoes, onions, carrots and celery, garlic, basil, and thyme. Cover and cook on low 25 minutes or until the meat and vegetables are tender.