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Close up of a bowl of beef stew that was thicken by potato flakes and contains beef stew meat, carrots, potatoes, and parsley.
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Slow Cooker Homemade Beef Stew with Costco Stew Meat

How to make a classic beef stew using the beef stew meat from Costco.
Course Main Course
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 0
Author Eric Samuelson

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb Kirkland Beef Stew meat
  • 1.5 lb gold potatoes cubed
  • 4 carrots cut into large chunks
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 onion cut into large chunks
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried mushroom powder optional
  • salt to taste
  • 3 tbsp cooking oil for browning the meat

Instructions

  • Add 3 teaspoons of oil to the bottom of a cast iron skillet. Heat the skillet up over medium high heat.
  • Season the beef with salt, then add to the skillet. Cook on each side until brown, should take about 5-10 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.
  • Remove from the skillet from the heat. Take the beef out of the skillet. Add about ½ cup of water. Using a metal spatula scrape the bottom of the pan to get off anything that stuck. Add that liquid to a slow cooker.
  • Add an additional 5 ½ cups of water to the slow cooker.
  • Add in bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, dried mushroom powder, and salt to taste. Taste the liquid and add more seasonings if you feel like it needs it.
  • Cut the onions, potatoes, and carrots into large chunks and add to the slow cooker. Then add in the browned meat.
  • Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours.
  • See notes for ways to thicken your beef stew.

Notes

How to thicken the stew:
If you wish to thicken your stew when it is done cooking here is what you can do:
  • Add in instant mashed potato flakes. Stir in 2 tablespoons at a time.
  • Remove some of the vegetables (carrots and potatoes) along with enough liquid. Then puree that until thick. Stir it back into the stew.
  • Make a slurry. Combine 1 part flour or corn starch and 2 parts cold water. Mix into the stew. Make sure your slow cooker is set to high before you do this. It may take some time for it to thicken.