Good Housekeeping Slow Cooker Beef Recipes

SLOW COOKER BEEF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• In a large bowl toss the beef with some seasoning. Heat 1/2tbsp oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat and brown the beef well all over - do this in batches, adding more oil as needed. Using a slotted spoon, remove browned beef to a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain excess away fat. Once all the beef has been browned, transfer to the slow cooker.
• Heat remaining oil in the same pan and fry the shallots and lardons for 6-7min, stirring occasionally, until golden, then add the garlic and cook for a further min. Stir flour into the pan, making sure everything is evenly coated. Scrape mixture into the slow cooker, then add the wine, stock, carrots and some seasoning and stir together.
• Tie the bay leaves, thyme and parsley in a bundle with kitchen string and add to slow cooker, making sure it is submerged. Cover with lid and cook on low for 7hr, or until the beef is tender.
• Add the button mushrooms and try to make sure they are submerged in the liquid as much as possible. Cover with the lid and continue to cook for 45min-1hr. Remove and discard herb bundle and check seasoning. Sprinkle with extra chopped parsley, if you like, and serve with mashed potato.

SLOW COOKER BEEF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• Turn the slow cooker to low and heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a large frying pan. Season the meat and fry for 3-4 mins in batches until browned all over, scooping out each batch with a slotted spoon and transferring the browned meat to a plate.
• Tip the onion, carrot and celery into the pan and fry for 5-10 mins until soft. Add the herbs and flour and cook for another 2 mins. Pour a splash of the wine into a bowl, then add the stock cube, sugar and tomato purée and mix to form a paste. Scrape the paste into the onion mix and pour in the remaining wine. Bring the mixture to a bubble, then transfer to the slow cooker. Stir in the browned beef, topping up with a splash of water to cover the meat if needed. Simmer on low for 6-8 hrs until the meat is falling apart but still holding its shape.
• About 35 mins before serving, heat the remaining oil in a pan. Fry the bacon, shallots and mushrooms for 5-8 mins until caramelised and the veg is starting to soften, then tip into the slow cooker. Simmer the stew gently on high for 30 mins. If you want a thicker gravy, use the reduce function or leave the stew uncovered. Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread, if you like.

SLOW-COOKER BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Fry the onion and celery in 1 tbsp oil over a low heat until they start to soften - about 5 mins. Add the carrots, bay and thyme, fry for 2 mins, stir in the purée and Worcestershire sauce, add 600ml boiling water, stir and tip everything into a slow cooker. Crumble over the stock cubes or add the stock pots and stir, then season with pepper (don't add salt as the stock may be salty).
• Clean out the frying pan and fry the beef in the remaining oil in batches until it is well browned, then tip each batch into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 8-10 hrs, or on high for 4 hrs.
• If you want to thicken the gravy, mix the cornflour with a splash of cold water to make a paste, then stir in 2 tbsp of the liquid from the slow cooker. Tip back into the slow cooker, stir and cook for a further 30 mins on high. Stir in the parsley and season again to taste. Serve with mash, if you like. Leave to cool before freezing.