Who doesn’t like an easy beef stew recipe, especially on a cold winter nights!
This classic beef stew recipe will the the only recipe you will need if you ever wanted to make a the best beef stew! The weather at the moment in the UK is so unpredictable, so it is the perfect time to make this recipe.
You Will Need This Piece Of Equipment
The one piece of equipment you will need to make this recipe is a slow cooker/crock pot. If you do not own a slow cooker I would highly recommend that you purchase one. If not i have explained below how to cook this recipe without a slow cooker. Slow cookers are low cost to run, compared to an oven, and it is the best feeling when you can pop all of the ingredients into the slow cooker and leave it to cook, go to work or go out for the day and come home to a delicious meal.
The Benefits Of Cooking Beef In The Slow Cooker
Slow cooking beef in the slow cooker is the perfect recipe for introducing babies to solid foods through baby-led weaning. By cooking tender meat at a low temperature for an extended period, the beef stew meat becomes incredibly tender fall-apart chunks of beef, and easy for little ones to chew and digest. Slow cooking also preserves the natural flavours of the beef, ensuring that babies are exposed to a wholesome and nutritious meal. Additionally, slow cookers allow busy parents to prepare meals in advance, saving precious time and ensuring that they can offer their baby a variety of homemade, nutrient-rich options. With slow-cooked beef, babies can explore different textures and flavours, promoting self-feeding and the development of their fine motor skills. It's a win-win situation for both parent and child during this important stage of their growth and development.
What Stock Cubes Can I Use For My Baby?
Stock cubes can be a convenient addition to recipes when it comes to adding flavour, but when it comes to using them for babies from six months old, it's important to exercise caution. While some stock cubes may be low in salt, others can contain high amounts of salt, which is not recommended for infants. It's essential to prioritise your baby's health and development, so it's best to use a zero salt stock cube in your recipes.
The Benefits of Carrots And Celery For BLW
Carrots and celery are both great options for baby-led weaning recipes from 6 months onward. Carrots are packed with essential nutrients like vitamin A and fibre, while celery provides a crunchy texture and is a good source of vitamins C and K. You can prepare soft-cooked carrot sticks or lightly steamed carrot coins for your little one to pick up and explore. Celery can be sliced into long, thin strips to make it easier for your baby to hold and chew. Remember to closely supervise your baby during mealtime and introduce one food at a time to watch for any potential allergies or reactions. Enjoy the journey of introducing new flavours and textures to your baby's palate!
What Is Barley And Can I Give It To My Baby?
Barley is an excellent addition to a hearty stew when it comes to baby-led weaning. Not only does it provide a wonderful texture, but it also offers a range of nutritional benefits. Barley is a whole grain that is rich in fibre, which aids in digestion and promotes a healthy gut. It is also packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including iron and B-vitamins, which are crucial for the growth and development of babies. By incorporating barley into a beef stew, infants can explore different textures while enjoying the flavours of tender beef and nourishing vegetables. What's more, the slow cooking process of the stew ensures that the barley becomes soft and easily manageable for little hands, making it an ideal choice for babies to practice their self-feeding skills.
This of course is perfect for little ones and baby led weaning as the whole stew is soft to chew.
Other Equipment You May Need That Will Help
Alongside the slow cooker, another game changing purchase you will need are slow cooker bags. These really do save you having to scrub the slow cooker pan for ages. You can get them from large Tesco supermarkets or Pound shops.
This slow cooker beef stew recipe recipe really does hit all the spots, also by being freezable too! The great thing is it is a perfect family meal if you needed a nutritious recipe to go round!
Ingredient information
Diced beef - I have used diced beef as it is the most convenient, you can use any beef cut of your choice. You could use a beef joint and once cooked shred it. To totally up to you.
Cornflour - I have used cornflour as it is a great thickener and it is gluten free. So great if you have a gluten intolerance. A great substitute to using flour.
Black pepper - I only season with black pepper and no salt. This recipe really does not need any salt added to it. There is enough flavour without the use of salt.
Unsalted butter - I always use unsalted butter within cooking and within my recipes. I do not like to add salt as seasoning for my son.
Carrot - Carrots packed full of vitamin D, give a great flavour and bring a sweetness this recipe needs.
Celery - This is great for adding flavour along with the carrot in any stew.
Barley - I love barley! It is a perfect stew favourite! If you haven’t tried barley this recipe is perfect to do so!
Bay leaf - Adds flavour! So I have included two within this recipe!
Mixed herbs - I have used dried mixed herbs. A cupboard staple that doesn’t break the bank.
Dried thyme - Another great cupboard staple. If you have fresh thyme, add in 4 storks to the stew.
Tomato paste - Adds a depth of flavour! And adds an intense tomato flavour.
Zero salt beef stock cube - If possible when cooking for your baby, switch to the zero salt stock cubes. If you cannot find them in the supermarket. They can sometimes be located in the baby food aisle.
Serving suggestion
I have served the hearty slow cooker beef stew with buttery mashed potato and garden peas.
You could serve this with homemade potato wedges or mashed sweet potatoes, instead of tender potatoes and broccoli instead or garden peas.
Storage instructions
The beef stew can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Or you can store in airtight containers in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure the hearty beef stew has cooled to room temperature before transferring to a container. Its best to label the freezer bag and airtight container with the item and the date.
To defrost the beef stew, thaw in the fridge overnight, once fully defrosted, you can reheat the beef stew.
To reheat the beef stew, preheat your oven to 180C/350F and reheat for up to 20-25 minutes. You can also re heat on the hob on a medium heat until piping hot.
Once thawed and reheated you will not be able to refreeze and store.
Equipment Used To Help With This Recipe
Slow cooker - A slow cooker is well worth the investment. I use one that has a non-stick removable pan for ease of cleaning, and an in-built timer.
Slow cooker liner - Food safe liners, disposable and BPA free - these are a great idea for lining the slow cooker pot.
Frying pan - I love the non-stick surface of this particular frying pan and it’s suitable for all types of hob.
Mixing bowl - I like to use a stainless steel mixing bowl - they are usually lightweight and easy to clean.
Zero salt beef stock cube - When I first went looking for reduced salt stock cubes for my baby led weaning recipes, it felt like a bit of a mission! In the end I found some online and these ones are actually salt free.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Chicken curry
I Do Not Have A Slow Cooker
If you do not have a slow cooker, not to worry you can still enjoy this recipe, All you will need to do is follow the recipe, but instead of popping all the ingredients in the slow cooker, you will need to add all the ingredients to an oven proof dish (with a lid if possible, if not cover with tin foil) I use a roasting tin! Pop into a pre heated oven on 160C/320F and cook for 4-5 hours.
Recipe | Slow Cooked Beef Stew
Makes 6-8 portions for little tummies
400g diced beef
2 tablespoons cornflour
A grind of black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, diced
4 carrots, chopped into chunks
2 sticks celery, sliced
50g barley
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon dried mixed herbs
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons tomato purée
700ml hot water (extra if needed)
Instructions
Start by adding the cornflour and black pepper to a mixing bowl, add in the raw beef and mix until the beef is coated.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the unsalted butter in a frying pan and add the floured beef to the hot pan, on a medium-high heat. Seal the meat on a high heat for a few minutes, turning the beef often.
Pop the beef into the slow cooker.
Using the same frying pan, turn down the heat slightly and add in the remaining tablespoon of unsalted butter and add in the onion and celery, cover and cook for 5 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
Add the onion and celery to the slow cooker, followed by the carrot, bay leaves, barley, tomato purée and herbs.
Break up the stock cube with your hands and add to the slow cooker. Pour over the 700ml hot water and stir all together.
Pop the lid on the slow cooker and stew beef for 4 hours on high cook time, or 8 hours on low cook time.
The barley soaks up a lot of the water so you may need to add in a drop of water here and there, but don’t worry if you’re going out and leaving it, you can add in some hot water to loosen it up right before serving!
Hope you and your family enjoy!
Recipe notes
Another great thing you could serve this with is mashed swede instead of the potato, or even mashed celeriac!
The recipe is easily made dairy free, by swapping out the unsalted butter to a oil of choice for example vegetable oil or olive oil. Add in a tablespoon of the oil at a time.
The stock cube used in this beef stew recipe is a gluten free stock cube.
If you and your baby likes garlic you could add in a teaspoon of garlic powder.
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