I don't use my slow cooker nearly as much as I should. In fact, it usually gets used only once a year and that is to make Corned Beef for my husband St. Patrick's Day birthday. But I got a hankering for beef stew this week so I dug it out and gave it a whirl. I cheated a little bit by using a seasoning packet, but all other ingredients are fresh. I recommend using organic potatoes as they are on the Dirty Dozen list for retaining a high amount of pesticides. Onions never need to be organic as they retain very little to no pesticides. Carrots fall somewhere in the middle, so I play it safe and always go organic.

Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

Ingredients

• 1.5 - 2 pounds of stew beef, cubed
• flour
• 3 tbsp cooking oil
• 2 cups chopped carrots
• 3 medium potatoes, cubed
• 1 medium onion, cut into wedges
• 3 cups water
• 1 packet McCormick Beef Stew Seasoning Mix

Directions

• Coat beef cubes in flour.
• Heat oil in skillet over medium heat, add beef and brown.
• In slow cooker layer the beef, potatoes, carrots and onion.
• Mix seasoning packet with 3 cups of water and pour on top of ingredients.
• Cook on low for 10 hours or high for 5 hours.
• Serve alone with a hearty bread or over Pennsylvania Dutch Noodles.