SLOW-COOKER IRISH STOUT BEEF STEW

Slow-Cooker Irish Stout Beef Stew image

During the colder months, we can't get enough soup, stew and chili, but truth be told-sometimes we need a break from our old favorites. That's why this recipe is such a welcome addition. It makes for a hearty bowl with fall-apart-tender chunks of beef in a luscious, rich broth, but that's not all that's going on here. Caramelized onions add a sweetness that's well balanced by the slightly bitter (think coffee-flavored) taste of the Guinness®. The preparation of the beef-it's dredged in flour and browned before being added to the slow cooker crock-helps thicken the stew and adds all sorts of deeply savory flavor. So when you want something comforting and crowd-friendly-but also feel like you've been eating the same thing for months-turn to this sensational stew for something new.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Entree

Time 16h45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

6 cups thinly sliced sweet or yellow onions (about 2 lb)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups Progresso™ beef flavored broth (from 32-oz carton)
1/2 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
3 lb beef stew meat
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup Guinness® Draught (from 12-oz can)
1 lb baby Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed
4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

Steps:

Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
Mix onions, melted butter, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper in slow cooker. Add 1 cup of the broth. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 10 hours or until onions are very tender and browned.
In large bowl, mix flour, remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add beef; toss to coat. Discard any excess flour. In 12-inch skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Cook half of beef 5 to 7 minutes or until browned on all sides. Transfer to slow cooker; repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and remaining half of beef.
Add remaining 1 cup broth to skillet; heat to boiling over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits on bottom of skillet. Add to slow cooker.
Add Guinness®, potatoes, carrots and thyme to slow cooker; stir. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 10 hours or until meat is tender and sauce is thickened.
Garnish with parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480, Carbohydrate 31 g, Cholesterol 100 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 4 g, Protein 35 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize About 1 1/3 Cups, Sodium 630 mg, Sugar 7 g, TransFat 1 g