Beef and Wattleseed Slow Cooker Stew
A hearty slow-cooked Australian beef stew infused with aromatic wattleseed and native herbs, perfect for comforting meals. This australian-inspired beef ready in about 500 minutes pairs beef chuck, cubed, olive oil, large, chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, chopped onion
- 3 medium, sliced carrots
- 2, sliced celery stalks
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp ground wattleseed
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 medium, peeled and cubed potatoes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides for about 5-6 minutes, then transfer to slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large chopped onion, 3 sliced carrots, 2 sliced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker along with 1 tbsp ground wattleseed, 4 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 medium peeled and cubed potatoes, cover, and cook on low for 7-8 hours until beef is fork-tender and stew thickens.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaves before serving and ladle the rich wattleseed-infused beef stew into bowls for a warming meal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Beef and Wattleseed Slow Cooker Stew take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Beef and Wattleseed Slow Cooker Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef chuck, cubed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Beef and Wattleseed Slow Cooker Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Beef and Wattleseed Slow Cooker Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Beef and Wattleseed Slow Cooker Stew?
Australian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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