Description

Slow Cooker Beef and Cabbage Stew is a warm, comforting dish perfect for cozy dinners. Featuring tender beef, fresh vegetables, and natural seasonings including apple cider vinegar and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, this stew offers a hearty and nutritious meal with minimal preparation. Ideal for meal prep and family-friendly eating, it delivers rich flavors with an effortless slow cooking process.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein

2 lb beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
4 oz smoked turkey bacon, chopped

Vegetables

1 medium green cabbage, roughly chopped
3 large carrots, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 large onion, sliced thinly
3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Sauces

4 cups beef broth
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
2 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
2 tbsp tomato paste (natural)

Seasonings

2 bay leaves
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Veggies and Meat: Peel and chop the carrots into bite-sized pieces, slice the onion thinly, roughly chop the cabbage, cut the beef chuck roast into large chunks, and chop the smoked turkey bacon into pieces.
Brown the Beef and Bacon: In a hot skillet, sear the beef chunks until browned on all sides. Then cook the smoked turkey bacon until crisp. This step adds extra flavor and color to the stew.
Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Place the carrots, onions, and garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the browned beef and smoked turkey bacon on top. Finish by layering the chopped cabbage over everything.
Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the beef broth, apple cider vinegar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Add the bay leaves and sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over the ingredients.
Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours or on high for about 4 hours. The beef should become fork-tender and the cabbage softened but still maintaining its shape.
Final Touches: Remove the bay leaves from the stew. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. To thicken the stew, mix a small amount of natural gelling agent with cold water and stir it in, allowing the stew to thicken gently.

Notes

Brown the meat first to add extra depth of flavor and texture.
If you prefer crunchier cabbage, add it during the last 2 hours of cooking.
Fresh herbs like thyme or parsley stirred in at the end brighten the taste.
Feel free to swap vegetables based on season or personal preference.
Skim any excess fat from the surface for a cleaner broth.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 7 to 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
Calories: 320
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg

Keywords: slow cooker stew, beef stew, cabbage stew, easy dinner, hearty meal, gluten free, comfort food