Description
This BBQ Slow Cooker Beef Stew is a hearty, flavorful dish that combines tender beef stew meat with a smoky barbecue twist. Slow-cooked to perfection with savory vegetables and a rich blend of beef stock and barbecue sauce, it’s an easy and comforting meal perfect for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Vegetables
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 1 cup onion, sliced
- ½ cup green pepper, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed or chopped
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
Liquids and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups beef stock
- 14 ounce can tomatoes
- 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
Optional Thickener
- ¼ cup water
- 2–3 tablespoons corn starch
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced onion, chopped green pepper, and pressed or chopped garlic. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a slow cooker. Add the beef stew meat, salt, pepper, beef stock, canned tomatoes, sliced mushrooms, and barbecue sauce. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook the Stew: Cover the slow cooker and cook the stew on low heat for 8 hours. This slow cooking process tenderizes the beef and melds the flavors beautifully.
- Optional Thickening: If a thicker stew is desired, mix ¼ cup of water with 2 to 3 tablespoons of corn starch until smooth. Stir this mixture into the stew and cook on high for an additional 15-20 minutes until the stew thickens to your liking.
Notes
- For more tender beef, consider trimming excess fat before cooking.
- You can substitute the green pepper with red or yellow peppers for a different flavor.
- Adjust the amount of barbecue sauce according to your taste preference for smokiness and sweetness.
- Serve with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Stew
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: beef stew, slow cooker recipe, BBQ beef stew, slow cooked beef, hearty stew, comfort food
