The prospect of a bowl of slowly-stewed beef, Italian style, always has me excited! Especially on cruelly cold days, Italian beef stew is high on the list of dishes I make without a second thought. So is the case with Greek-style beef stew, cauliflower and chickpea stew, and this carrot ginger soup, by the way.
Why this Italian Beef Stew Recipe Works
There are countless of recipes for Italian beef stew. And to me, adding your own twist is what makes it extra special. This slow cooker Italian beef stew is a very basic recipe. Beef chuck roast, deeply browned and then slow-cooked in a red wine broth with loads of carrots, mushrooms and aromatics.
I serve my Italian beef stew simply with a piece of rustic Italian bread, or even homemade challah. Heaped over traditional Italian Creamy Polenta is perfect on a cold night, but I do occasionally rebel and serve over Lebanese rice.
What Kind of Meat to Use for this Beef Stew?
It goes without saying that you should not waste your money on an expensive cut of beef for this stew. I like beef chuck roast. As it cooks slowly, the meat’s connective tissue breaks down to tender perfection. If you check your stew and find that the meat is chewy, it simply means that it needs some more time to cook.
Watch the Video for How to Make this Italian Beef Stew:
Recommended for this recipe: Cast Iron Skillet; Large Crock Pot 4.7 from 20 reviews
