Healthy Beef Stew

by Jen on February 27, 2013

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I realize the weather is getting warmer, which I’m really happy about! But that doesn’t mean I still don’t like making comfort food dinners once in a while. Growing up, I remember coming home from school and asking my mom what was for dinner that evening. I was usually happy about what we were going to eat, unless of course it was liver and onions! Did your mom make you eat liver and onion too? I’m sorry. But I remember one of my favorite meals was beef stew and biscuits. My mom would cook it in the oven for 2-3 hours, and the house would smell divine.

Today, I still like to make beef stew. But instead of making it in the oven, I use my slow cooker. Is there anything better for a busy mom than a slow cooker? Seriously, the thing rocks. I’ve also changed a few ingredients to make it even healthier! More about that later…

While beef stew is pretty basic, and not many changes need to be made to make it healthy, here is what I’ve done:

used a lean cut of beef and trimmed the fat
added lots of veggies
used no-salt added broth and sauce

Personally, I just love all the carrots in this stew. And the slow cooker makes the beef so tender it practically falls apart.

Here’s a little tip: If you own a large slow cooker, your stew will cook faster, so you might need to decrease the cooking time. I prefer using a smaller slow cooker to cook the stew all day.

My family loves this Healthy Beef Stew…especially when I serve it with warm homemade biscuits or cheese buns. Serve this Healthy Beef Stew with some fresh veggies on the side for even more nutrition!

Healthy Beef Stew

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 9 hours

Total Time: 9 hours, 10 minutes

Yield: serves 6

Recipe adapted from Crazy Plates

Ingredients

2 lbs lean stewing beef, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
3 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
2 cups chopped carrots
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 14-oz cans no-salt added tomato sauce
10 oz no-salt added beef broth
1 Tbsp dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1-1/4 tsp each dried marjoram and dried thyme
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp each sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

Combine all ingredients except cornstarch and parsley in a 3-quart or larger slow cooker. Cover and simmer on low for approximately 8 hours.

Combine cornstarch with an equal amount of water and stir until lump-free. Add to stew and stir. Cook for 1 more hour.

Spoon stew into bowls and garnish with parsley.

Notes

Cal: 340 Fat: 8.2g Protein: 36g Fiber: 3.5g Sodium: 480mg Carbs: 29g

Weight Watchers Points+: 8

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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

1 lindsay February 27, 2013 at 7:32 am

I actually don’t really care for beef and rarely cook it, but for some reason I love beef stew, especially during the fall and winter months. My recipe is very similar to yours, but I use a stock pot because I don’t have a slow cooker (which is completely crazy right). I really need to get one, but everytime I go to buy one I’m so overwhelmed with all different options. Which one do you have and would you recommend it?
lindsay recently posted..Baked Sweet and Spicy Chicken

2 Jen February 27, 2013 at 5:47 pm: Yes, there are many choices. I think mine is Hamilton Beach, and it has 3 different crock pot sizes, extra large, large, and small which is perfect for different sized meals

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3 samijoe February 27, 2013 at 8:30 am

I’ve bookmarked this stew. I actually have stew on my meal plan this week for Thursday so I’ll give yours a whirl! (Your recipes are always so good!)
samijoe recently posted..Wordless Wednesday ~ Our Dolphin Experience #Atlantis #Bahamas

4 Jen February 27, 2013 at 5:47 pm: Thanks so much Sami…I’m glad at least someone is enjoying them

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5 Heather February 27, 2013 at 1:16 pm

I love beef stew! It’s one of my fav things but you’re right, you do have to watch what’s in the broth. They aren’t all made equally!
Heather recently posted..Pallet Project Reveal

6 Samantha @ Blissful Domesticity February 28, 2013 at 3:25 pm

I swear, there is nothing more comforting to me than beef stew. Nothing. YUM.
Samantha @ Blissful Domesticity recently posted..One More Week

7 Jen February 28, 2013 at 3:51 pm: I agree Samantha I miss it during the summer months!

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8 Ari @ Ari's Menu February 28, 2013 at 3:29 pm

This looks so delicious, warm and comforting! I could go for a big bowl right now. And your photos are beeeaaauutiful!
Ari @ Ari’s Menu recently posted..Whopper Cookies

9 Jen February 28, 2013 at 3:52 pm: Thanks so much for your sweet comment. Yes, the stew is delicious Let me know if you try it!

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10 Gomo February 28, 2013 at 7:11 pm

This looks so delicious and comforting – just perfect for this weather! You’re making me want to run out and get a slow cooker!
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