Slow Cooker Nine Mile Creek Trail Beef Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting slow-cooked beef stew with root vegetables and herbs, inspired by the scenic Nine Mile Creek Trail region. This american-inspired beef ready in about 260 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, stalks (1/2 cup) celery stalks, sliced, large (1 cup) yellow onion, chopped 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 240 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 2 lbs beef chuck cubes with 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the floured beef cubes in batches and brown them for 3 minutes per side until a deep golden crust forms. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté 1 cup chopped yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 cup sliced carrots, and 1/2 cup sliced celery for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker along with 4 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until beef is tender and stew is thickened. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Nine Mile Creek Trail Beef Stew take to make?

Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 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 Slow Cooker Nine Mile Creek Trail Beef 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 garlic cloves, minced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Nine Mile Creek Trail Beef 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 Slow Cooker Nine Mile Creek Trail Beef 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 Slow Cooker Nine Mile Creek Trail Beef Stew?

American 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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