Healthy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Ingredients · for 8 (scales to your household)

• 1 cup Chickpea flour $1.06
• 1 1/2 tsp Sea salt $0.08
• 1 tsp Ground black pepper $0.14
• 3 lbs Stew meat $29.94
• 2 tbsp Olive oil $0.36
• 1 Yellow onion $0.60
• 4 cloves Garlic $0.12
• 3 tbsp Tomato paste $0.35
• 3 tbsp Balsamic vinegar $0.28
• 4 cups Low sodium beef broth $2.21
• 1 tsp Dried thyme $0.07
• 1 tsp Sea salt $0.05
• 1/2 tsp Dried rosemary $0.04
• 2 Yukon potatoes $1.55
• 1 Sweet potato $0.64
• 3 Carrots $0.52
• 2 stalks Celery $0.60
• 1 Bay leaf $0.01
• 2 tbsp Arrowroot $0.24
• 1 tbsp Fresh thyme leaves (optional) $0.44

Per-ingredient cost is the amount this recipe uses at the lowest Canadian price we have on file; the per-serving total above adds the range up to the dearest price and for buying whole packages.

Method

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the chickpea flour, sea salt, and ground pepper. Stir to combine.
2. Add the cubed meat to the chickpea flour mixture and toss to coat well.
3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat, and add the coated meat. Brown the meat on all sides, in batches. (We’re not looking to cook the meat all the way through here - just to get a golden, crispy crust which will add a ton of flavor to the stew.)
4. Transfer the browned meat into the slow cooker.
5. In the same pan, add the diced yellow onion, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Then add the minced garlic and cook for one minute, until fragrant.
7. Transfer this into the slow cooker, over the meat.
8. Add the balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, low sodium beef broth, dried thyme, sea salt, dried rosemary, cubed yukon gold potatoes, cubed sweet potato, sliced carrots, and sliced celery.
9. Stir to combine, and then add the bay leaf.
10. Set the slow cooker to the Low setting for 6 to 7 hours* or on high for 3 to 4 hours, stirring about half way through. The stew is ready when the meat is tender and falls apart and the potatoes are tender when poked with a fork.
11. If you’d like to make the stew a little thicker, you can combine add a little arrowroot starch with beef broth or the juices from the stew, and then stir to incorporate. The stew will thicken within about 1-2 minutes after adding the arrowroot starch.
12. Garnish with fresh thyme, if desired.

Per serving