Crock Pot Beef and Rice Stew uses fresh produce with a few few extras, a pound of stew meat and a bit of rice. Viola an easy dinner for a busy day. And SO healthy! Low-Fat, Low-Sugar, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free
Crock pot beef and rice stew is an easy dish to make. The stew is filled with carrots, parsnips, zucchini, celery, yellow onion, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and potatoes. This soup is full of fiber with filling beef stew meat for protein. Add some rice in for filling carbs.
This soup is a very budget friendly and adjustable recipe. Adjust the soup as needed to fit dietary needs and taste preferences.
Can you put rice in a slow cooker?
Rice can be added into a slow cooker during the last hour or two of cooking time. There should be adequate liquid in the crockpot to cook the rice. Add one cup of liquid (either water or broth) into the crockpot when adding in rice.
To cook rice in a slow cooker by itself use a 2:1 water to rice ratio. Spray the slow cooker down with a non stick cooking spray. Set the slow cooker on high and cook rice for 2 hours until light and fluffy.
Can you put raw beef in a slow cooker?
Raw beef can go in a slow cooker. Raw beef will cook completely in a slow cooker just like browned or seared beef. However, most recipes call for browning the beef to enhance the flavor. Browning meat helps produce rich flavors and aromas. Meat that is cooked without being browned first can taste less flavorful. To produce the tastiest and most flavorful dishes, make sure you take the extra time to brown the meat first.
What can I add to beef stew to increase the flavor?
Beef stew can be made a number of different ways. Flavorful beef stew is a filling and delicious dinner option. Here are a few different ingredients we have found to add into beef stew:
- Red Wine (make into a reduction sauce)
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Bay Leaves
- Tomato Paste
- Celery Powder
- Brown Sugar
- Smoked Paprika
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Cayanne Pepper
- Garlic Salt
- Onion Powder
- Cracked Black Pepper
- Salt
- Montreal Steak Seasoning (add to meat when browning)
- Beef Buillion Cubes
- Worcestershire Sauce
Sides to compliment Beef Stew:
Crock pot beef stews are so easy. In fact, stews are way easier, and safer, to make in a crock pot than in the huge, old soup pots I always had bubbling away all day on my stove, when the kids were little.
Big pots on the stove need tending every once in a while or the stew burns on the bottom. Crock pots are designed to be left alone all day, without burning dinner. I really love that!
It’s so easy in my Instant Pot Too!
My instant pot has completely replaced my slow cooker now a days. For this recipe you can cook it just like in the crock pot and use your slow cooker function OR you can cook this dinner under pressure and reduce the cook time considerably.
One lovely thing about the instant pot is the warming function. If you are not ready to eat when your meal is done the instant pot will automatically turn itself on warm and keep it safely warmed until you feel like serving dinner.
I don’t miss my crockpot at all anymore
Here’s How To Put Crock Pot Beef and Rice Stew Together:
- I choose to brown my meat to keep in that excellent beef flavor in the meat itself. Also, I season the meat as it’s browning to add a bit of extra zing to the stew. Actually, I made this stew with Kayti, at her house. So she browned the meat with her spices. Feel free to use your favorites if you don’t have what we are using.
- Chop those veggies! I put a list into the printable about all the veggies we are using. But the possibilities are endless. By Google’s definition a stew is “a dish of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in liquid in a closed dish or pan.” How vague is that? Slow cooker…veg and meat! Well this IS a beef stew. So beef is non-negotiable. However….
- You might choose beef… and rutabagas or turnips (which my mom always used), or any vegetables you find handy. Let me know your favorite stew veggies in the comments below!
- Put it all in the crock pot: Place the browned beef in the crock pot and layer the veggies(chopped small) over the top. Pour the liquids in last. Let it cook on high for three hours.
- In the last hour, add a cup of rice and cook till the rice is tender. Serve it up! NOTE: The rice has to actually cook so you need to boil it five minutes either in your crock pot or on the stove. Especially true of the brown and wild rice varieties.
The rice really builds this stew into a complete meal in a cup or bowl.
This filling stew doesn’t need a lot with it. This is an easy meal for dinner. It’s perfect for intense work days. This stew thickens up and makes really good leftovers. Lunch for the next day just needs a zap in the microwave.!
An easy delicious dinner. It’s a meal in one pot! If you feel like working a little for an excellent homemade dinner roll, try this one! Otherwise pick up your favorite artisan bread to soak up those lovely juices.
EASY CROCK POT BEEF STEW
Crock Pot Beef and Rice Stew is a hearty easy dinner for a busy day. Brimming with vegetables, beef and rice this Low-Fat, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free dinner is a family pleasing meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Beef stew meat.
- 1 Tablespoon of season all
- 1 Tablespoon garlic salt
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon bay leaves
- 1 large carrot sliced into rounds
- 1 large parsnip cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 Cup Zucchini Chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 large rib celery, chopped small
- 1/2 large yellow onion
- 1 clove garlic minced and smashed
- 2 fresh peppers chopped small
- 1 large russet potato cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 Cup rice, we are using organic white rice
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 4 Cups beef bullion
Instructions
- Brown the beef in a skillet on medium heat.
- Season the beef with Season-all salt(we are using Morton's), garlic salt, onion powder, and crushed bay leaves. (Fresh herbs like oregano, bay leaves and others herbs to your taste can be substituted for the seasonings as desired)
- Prepare the vegetables as directed.
- Place the beef with it's juices into the crock pot.
- Add the vegetables.
- Open the cans and dump them into the pot. ADD water to the empty cans and pour one can of water from each can into the pot.
- Add the bullion and set the crock pot on high for four hours or low for eight.
- ONE HOUR BEFORE SERVING. Add the rice and one more cup of water or bullion as desired for soupiness. Serve with crusty bread or rolls.
Notes
If you have your crock pot on low it won't properly cook the rice. So cook the rice separately to a boil for five minutes and then add it to your crock pot.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
2 CupsAmount Per Serving Calories 346
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Ruth
Sunday 10th of May 2020
Hi, you mentioned that we can cook this in the instant pot - how long would I pressure cook for, and I assume I'd cook on the HIGH manual setting? Thanks!
Kayti Lavergne
Sunday 10th of May 2020
Use the sauté function to brown the meat and then the stew function and natural release. Add more liquid to keep rice from burning
Keisha
Monday 20th of April 2020
Yum!! I love crock pot recipes that uses fresh ingredients. So hard to find and this look delicious!!!
Diane
Monday 20th of April 2020
Hi Keisha, It really is. Please let us know how the recipe works for you. Have a great day!
Diane
Thursday 14th of December 2017
Turned out excellent!!! Thanks for recipe love all of your recipes I’ve tried.
Diane
Thursday 14th of December 2017
Hi Diane, How wonderful of you to stop by and share your experience with this and other recipes. I am SO happy you like this stew and the other recipes you have tried of ours. Thank you and Have a fantastic day!
Sue in the UK
Wednesday 13th of January 2016
It also looks delicious as winter warmer. However, this UK based Brit is confused as to what a can of tomato sauce is. A ready made sauce? Just thinking in words here, but would a second can of chopped tomatoes with herbs be a good substitute?
homemadefoodjunkie
Wednesday 13th of January 2016
Hi Sue! I'm sorry you don't have canned tomato sauce where you live! It's a handy pantry item for soups and stews. This particular stew can do with a good deal of liquids to cook the rice. So, two cans of chopped tomatoes would work fine. Actually, if you wish to make your version look more like mine. Pulse a can or two of chopped tomatoes, in your blender just a second to give it a more sauce like texture. If you do this drain the cans INTO THE Stew before you blend them up. Don't want to lose the liquids, nutrients and flavors floating around in the juice. Adjust the liquids in your stew to suit your family's preference and cook the rice thoroughly. Have a great day and enjoy! It's a yummy stew!
swathi
Sunday 4th of October 2015
Delicious love this one pot goodness, thanks for sharing with Hearth and Soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.
homemadefoodjunkie
Sunday 4th of October 2015
Thank you Swathi!