Imagine coming home after a long day to the irresistible aroma of tender beef and vibrant vegetables wafting through your kitchen. With our Slow Cooker Steak and Vegetables recipe, you can turn that dream into reality! This hearty dish not only fills your home with mouthwatering scents but also delivers a comforting meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family gatherings. In just 15 minutes of prep, you can set your slow cooker and let it work its magic for 8 hours, transforming simple ingredients into a flavorful feast. Ready to impress your taste buds and warm your soul? Let’s dive into this delectable recipe!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 8 hrs
Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef steak
- 4 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, potatoes, bell peppers)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by cutting beef steak into 1-inch thick cubes, ensuring even sizing for consistent cooking.
- Wash and chop mixed vegetables into roughly 1-inch pieces: slice carrots, cube potatoes, and dice bell peppers to ensure uniform cooking time.
- Finely dice the onion and mince garlic cloves, setting aside for layering in slow cooker.
- Season beef cubes thoroughly with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme, massaging spices into meat for maximum flavor absorption.
- Grease slow cooker interior with light cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Layer ingredients in slow cooker: first spread chopped onions and minced garlic as base, then add seasoned beef cubes.
- Arrange mixed vegetables evenly over beef, ensuring balanced distribution.
- Slowly pour beef broth over ingredients, making sure liquid covers approximately 2/3 of the ingredients.
- Cover slow cooker and set to low heat setting for 8 hours, allowing meat to become tender and vegetables to cook thoroughly.
- After cooking time, check meat's tenderness and vegetables' doneness. Adjust seasoning if needed with additional salt and pepper.
- Serve hot directly from slow cooker, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme.
Tips
- Choose the Right Cut: For the best results, opt for cuts like chuck roast or flank steak, which become tender and flavorful when slow-cooked.
- Uniform Sizing: Cut your beef and vegetables into similar sizes to ensure even cooking. This helps everything cook at the same rate, giving you perfectly tender meat and veggies.
- Layering Matters: Start with onions and garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker. This helps infuse their flavors into the meat and vegetables as they cook.
- Season Generously: Don’t be shy with the seasoning! Massaging the salt, pepper, and thyme into the beef helps enhance its flavor throughout the cooking process.
- Liquid Level: Ensure that the beef broth covers about two-thirds of the ingredients. This will keep everything moist and prevent sticking while allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Check for Tenderness: After 8 hours, check your meat and veggies. If the meat isn’t as tender as you’d like, let it cook for an additional 30 minutes to an hour.
- Garnish for Presentation: Just before serving, sprinkle some fresh herbs like parsley or thyme on top for a pop of color and added freshness.
- Leftovers are Gold: This dish makes for excellent leftovers! Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and enjoy the flavors even more the next day.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 105mg
