Description
This Slow Cooker Witches Brew Stew is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for cozy meals. Combining Italian sausage, lean ground beef, and an array of fresh vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, celery, and baby gemstone potatoes, it’s slowly cooked to tender perfection with savory beef broth, diced tomatoes, and a touch of red wine vinegar.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 3 ounces shallots, diced (1 package)
- 8 ounces large white mushrooms (1 package)
- 4 carrots, peeled
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1½ pounds baby gemstone potatoes, halved
Seasonings & Liquids
- 2 ounces dry onion soup mix, divided (2 packets)
- 5 cups low sodium beef broth
- 14 ounces Italian-style petite diced tomatoes (1 can)
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Brown the meats and shallots: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the Italian sausage and lean ground beef with the diced shallots and one packet of onion soup mix until cooked through, about 5-8 minutes.
- Prepare mushrooms: While the meat cooks, slice the mushrooms in half and poke eyes into each rounded side using a chopstick or toothpick to create a fun, spooky effect.
- Shape carrots: Cut two triangular wedges out from one side of each peeled carrot to create a pumpkin-like shape and then slice accordingly.
- Transfer meats to slow cooker: When the meat is done, transfer it to a large slow cooker, leaving behind any excess grease in the skillet.
- Sear vegetables: Add the prepared mushrooms, pumpkin-shaped carrots, celery, and halved potatoes to the same skillet with leftover grease. Heat over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes while stirring frequently to begin searing and add flavor.
- Add vegetables to slow cooker: Transfer the seared vegetables into the slow cooker with the meat. Sprinkle the remaining packet of onion soup mix evenly over the vegetables.
- Add liquids and combine: Pour in the beef broth, diced tomatoes, and red wine vinegar. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Slow cook the stew: Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours, until vegetables are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
Notes
- For a spicier stew, substitute the Italian sausage for spicy Italian sausage.
- Feel free to add other vegetables such as green beans or bell peppers for added flavor and color.
- Using low sodium beef broth helps control the salt content, but you can adjust seasoning after cooking if needed.
- The carrot pumpkin shapes add a fun Halloween touch, but you can simply slice carrots if short on time.
- Make sure not to transfer excess grease to the slow cooker for a healthier stew.
