Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Today was a ladies' brunch day at my church, and like usual, I was responsible for making oodles of delicious edibles for the lovely ladies of Word of Life Family Church.  Also as usual, I wanted to do this as quickly and easily as possible because set up and clean up for these events is enough work for one day, especially a Saturday!

Enter the ever useful Crock Pot. I mean, seriously, why spend all day stirring a simmering pot of stew on the stove, when you can just dump the stuff in the Crock Pot and come back a few hours later to a perfectly cooked meal? Unlike most of my favorite slow cooker meals, this one does require you to spend a few minutes browning the meat before you add it to the pot, but the extra flavor is totally worth it. Thank you Maillard Reaction! So, if you didn't get the pleasure of trying this dish at today's Girlfriends Brunch, do yourself a favor and make it at home. There's nothin' to it!

Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Prep time: 15 min  Cook time: 6 hrs
Serves 8
 
1 1/2 lbs stew beef
32 oz. frozen stew vegetables
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can tomato soup
1 envelope onion soup mix

In a large skillet, fry beef in a little oil till nicely browned.  Put beef and veggies in slow cooker.  Combine all other ingredients and pour into slow cooker.  Stir well.  Cook on low for 6-7 hours.