Hairy Bikers Slow Cooker Campfire Stew Recipe
Craving hearty warmth? This Hairy Bikers Slow Cooker Campfire Stew Recipe delivers. Rich beef and veggies and smoky flavors simmer all day. Perfect copycat comfort food at home.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 large potatoes peeled and chopped
- 3 carrots sliced thick
- 2 onions chopped
- 3 celery stalks sliced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can 14 oz diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Prep the Beef
- Pat beef dry with paper towels. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high. Brown beef cubes 4-5 minutes per side. Gets smoky flavor. Transfer to slow cooker. Do in batches. Don't crowd pan.
Chop the Veggies
- Peel and chop potatoes into chunks. Slice carrots and celery. Chop onions and mince garlic. Add all to slow cooker on top of beef. Even sizes cook together.
Make the Sauce
- Mix beef broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire, tomato paste, paprika, thyme, salt, pepper in bowl. Stir well. Pour over veggies and meat. Add bay leaves. No need to stir yet.
Set and Cook Low
- Cover slow cooker. Cook on low 8 hours. Or high 4-5 hours. House fills with campfire aroma. Resist peeking too much. Heat stays in.
Thicken the Stew
- Last 30 minutes, remove 1 cup liquid. Mix with 2 tbsp cornstarch slurry. Stir back in. Cook until thick. Beef tenderizes fully. Tastes like hours over fire.
Serve Hot
- Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust salt. Ladle into bowls. Garnish with parsley. Steam rises invitingly. Perfect dinner ready!
Notes
- Brown meat first for deeper flavor.
- Use chuck roast; it stays juicy.
- Add mushrooms for earthiness.
- Variation: Swap beef for lamb.
- Beer instead of broth for pub taste.
- Make spicy with chili flakes.
- Fresh herbs at end brighten it.
- Low and slow prevents mushy veggies.