Delicious Slow Cooker Red Wine Stew Recipe
Are you looking for a hearty meal to warm you up on a cold winter night? Look no further than this slow cooker red wine stew recipe. Not only is it easy to make, but it is also packed with flavor and perfect for feeding a crowd.
This stew combines tender beef chuck with mushrooms, potatoes, and onions all simmered in a rich red wine sauce. The slow cooking process ensures that the meat becomes buttery soft and falls apart in your mouth, while the wine adds depth and complexity to the overall flavor.
And the best part? You can set it and forget it in your slow cooker, meaning you can come home to a delicious dinner without any additional work.
So grab your favorite bottle of dry red wine and get cooking! This stew will quickly become a staple in your recipe arsenal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
As a food enthusiast, I must assure you that this Slow Cooker Red Wine Stew Recipe is one of the best out there. The richness and depth of flavor achieved from slow cooking red wine and beef in a crockpot over several hours is unmatched. Here are just a few reasons why you’ll fall in love with this recipe:
First, it’s an easy one-pot meal that cooks itself while you go about your day. All you have to do is dump the ingredients in a slow cooker, set it, and forget it!
Second, the flavors are hearty and comforting – perfect for any chilly evening or winter night. Imagine tender beef stew meat slowly simmered in a rich tomato and red wine sauce with onions, mushrooms, potatoes, and other savory vegetables.
Thirdly, the leftovers taste even better the next day. You can put any excess stew in the freezer for a quick weeknight meal or lunch at work.
Finally, this recipe is versatile enough to be used for so many different occasions or holidays. It could be perfect for a dinner party with friends or family gatherings during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Overall, I guarantee that you’ll enjoy this Slow Cooker Red Wine Stew Recipe because it’s simple to make while still delivering bold flavors and aromas. So what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of crock pot beef stews today!
Ingredient List
Here’s what you’ll need for this slow cooker red wine stew recipe:
- 2 lb beef stew meat, cut into 2-3 inch pieces
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 russet potatoes, diced
- 8 oz mushroom, sliced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 2 cups dry red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
Note: This recipe is quite flexible, so feel free to substitute and adjust the ingredients to your liking. However, red wine and beef stew meat are two essentials that we recommend keeping intact.
The Recipe How-To
Here’s how to make this Slow Cooker Red Wine Stew Recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 2-3 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 large onion, chopped
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into small pieces
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Steps
-
In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tbsp of the olive oil. Season the beef with salt and black pepper, then dust with flour and shake off any excess. Add the beef to the skillet and brown all sides until crispy, then transfer to your slow cooker.
-
To the same skillet, add remaining olive oil plus onion and mushrooms. Sauté for a few minutes until soft and slightly browned. Season with sea salt and black pepper as desired.
-
Add onion-mushroom mixture to the slow cooker together with potatoes, garlic, bay leaf, wine, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce. Stir well.
-
Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4 hours, or until meat is tender to your liking.
-
Once cooked through, remove bay leaf from the stew.
-
Serve hot in bowls either on its own or with some crusty bread on the side.
Enjoy this festive stew that will warm you up on any winter night!
Substitutions and Variations
of the Recipe Article:
When making slow cooker red wine stew, it’s important to understand that you can switch up some of the ingredients and still get a flavorful meal. Here are some substitutions and variations you can try:
1. Meat: If you don’t have beef stew meat, you can use brisket or chuck roast. These cuts of meat work well with slow cooking and provide tender results. You can also try lamb stew meat if you’re feeling adventurous.
2. Vegetables: You can get creative with your vegetable choices for this stew. If you don’t have mushrooms, try using butternut squash or sweet potatoes instead. You could also add in some bell peppers, celery, or carrots to amp up the flavor.
3. Wine: While this recipe calls for dry red wine, you can go for a different type of wine if you prefer. Some people swear by using white wine in their beef stews, while others might use a fruity red like Pinot Noir or Zinfandel.
4. Sauces: In place of tomato paste, you could use canned diced tomatoes instead. Some people like to add Worcestershire sauce or balsamic vinegar for extra flavor.
5. Seasonings: If you don’t have beef broth on hand, you could use part chicken or vegetable broth instead. You could also play around with different herbs and spices like thyme, rosemary, or paprika for added depth of flavor.
Remember that cooking is about creativity and experimentation, so don’t be afraid to mix and match these ingredients until you find the perfect combination that suits your taste buds!
Serving and Pairing
Once your Slow Cooker Red Wine Stew is ready, it’s time to think about how to serve and pair it with the perfect accompaniments. Since this dish has rich flavors of red wine and beef, pairing it with a full-bodied red wine will enhance the dining experience.
A Cabernet Sauvignon or a Burgundy wine would be an excellent choice to pair. The tannins in the wine will complement the hearty flavors of the stew.
As for serving, you can ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley leaves or chopped thyme for a pop of color and added flavor. This dish pairs well with crusty bread, mashed potatoes or even polenta.
If you’re looking to add some greens to balance out the richness of the stew, consider serving it with a simple side salad dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Finally, sit down and savor each bite while enjoying your favorite company. This Slow Cooker Red Wine Stew is a savory dish that is sure to please any crowd.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
This Slow Cooker Red Wine Stew Recipe can be made in advance and is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. The flavors of this dish only get better with time, so prepare it the day before and refrigerate it overnight for a deeply satisfying meal.
To store leftovers, transfer the stew to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. If you’re planning to eat it after 4 days, keep it frozen in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When reheating the stew, place it in a pot and heat slowly over low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot throughout. Alternatively, you can reheat single portions in the microwave on high setting for 1-2 minutes, making sure to stir and check as necessary.
The vegetables and beef will still retain their flavors after being reheated, so you won’t have to worry about losing any taste. This dish is perfect for leftovers because it requires no effort to prepare for another mealtime. Just microwave or heat on low flame, get comfortable on your couch and dig into the rich flavors of a well-made slow cooker beef stew.
Tips for Perfect Results
To make this slow cooker red wine stew recipe a success, here are some tips and tricks that you can follow:
1. Use the right cuts of beef
To achieve tender and flavorful meat in this stew, it is best to use cuts that are suitable for slow cooking. Beef chuck is a great choice because it has enough fat to keep the meat moist during cooking and it is also affordable.
2. Brown the beef first
Before putting the beef in the slow cooker, it’s important to brown it first in a skillet with some oil. This will add more flavor to the meat and also enhance its texture.
3. Don’t overdo the alcohol
While it’s tempting to put more red wine in this stew, you should be mindful of not overdoing it as too much alcohol can overpower the other flavors of the dish. Stick to the suggested amount in the recipe, which is one cup of red wine.
4. Use tomato paste and beef broth
Besides red wine, tomato paste and beef broth are essential ingredients in this recipe as they provide richness and depth of flavor to the stew.
5. Season well
To bring out the flavors of all the ingredients, don’t forget to add salt and pepper to taste throughout the cooking process.
6. Cook on low heat for a long time
The key to achieving melt-in-your-mouth meat and perfectly cooked vegetables is to let them cook on low heat for a long time. You can set your slow cooker for 6-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high.
Follow these tips and you’re sure to make a delicious slow cooker red wine stew that will warm your belly on a cold day!
FAQ
Now that we have gone through the ingredients, recipe and serving tips for this delicious Slow Cooker Red Wine Stew, you might have some questions in mind. In this section, I will be answering some Frequently Asked Questions to clarify any doubts you may have.
What does adding red wine to stew do?
One interesting fact about using red wine in beef stew is how the acid in the wine can actually make the tough chunks of meat more tender. The flavors are also intensified as the liquid evaporates during cooking, resulting in a more flavorful dish overall.
Is it OK to put wine in the slow cooker?
Cooking with wine in a slow cooker is absolutely okay since the alcohol present in the wine evaporates during the cooking process. By the time you serve the dish, the alcohol will have reduced even further, particularly if you opt for a red wine glaze.
Does red wine cook off in slow cooker?
When cooking a pot roast in a slow cooker, one should be mindful of the effects of adding red wine. As the slow cooking process uses lower temperatures, the alcohol in the wine may not be fully evaporated and could overpower the flavor of the dish. To avoid this, it’s recommended to brown the meat on the stovetop and deglaze the pan with wine before transferring it to the slow cooker.
Is red cooking wine good for beef stew?
When it comes to selecting a wine to pair with a stew, it’s important to steer clear of delicate options such as Pinot Noir. A robust red wine like cabernet, merlot, zinfandel, shiraz, or malbec, will bring out the flavors of the hearty meal much better.
Bottom Line
As a sommelier, I can confidently say that this Slow Cooker Red Wine Stew Recipe is one of the best dishes you’ll ever taste. The combination of the tender beef, savory vegetables, and rich red wine creates a flavorful and satisfying meal that will warm your belly and your soul.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or for weekend get-togethers with friends and family. It’s an easy dish to prepare, requiring little effort on your part, just put everything in a slow cooker and let it work its magic. And the best part? You can make this stew ahead of time and reheat it before serving.
I highly recommend pairing this stew with a full-bodied red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. The deep fruit flavors in the wine complement the hearty flavors of the stew perfectly. Serve this dish with some crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal.
This Slow Cooker Red Wine Stew Recipe is not only delicious, but it’s also versatile. You can substitute the beef for other types of meat such as lamb or pork. Or you can even add some butternut squash or other root vegetables to make it more vegetarian-friendly.
In conclusion, whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe will surely satisfy your culinary needs. So what are you waiting for? Grab a bottle of dry red wine and start cooking!
Slow Cooker Red Wine Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2-2 lbs chuck roast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (10 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup mushroom, sliced
- 2 russet potatoes, skin on and cubed
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 (2 ounce) package onion soup mix
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup red wine, full-bodied
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Grease slow cooker bowl with olive oil.
- Season roast with salt and pepper. Lay inside the slow cooker.
- Throw in onions, potatoes, and mushrooms, in that order.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together soups, water, wine, and soup mix. Pour over the roast and vegetables.
- Cover with lid and slow cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Break up the meat with two forks when cooked and serve over a dollop of mashed potatoes.