Super Easy Crockpot Beef Stew (with Sweet Potatoes!)

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This easy crockpot beef stew is a fun take on an old favorite.  Swap out your old standbys like russet or yellow potatoes for one of my favorite winter staples… the Sweet Potato!

I’ve been on the hunt for an easy crockpot beef stew for quite a while.

I have, in my humble opinion, mastered the stovetop beef (and venison) stew.  While other college students were hitting the bars and hanging with their friends, I was perfecting my kitchen techniques.  (Yes, I know exactly how lame that sounds.)  One of the products of my antisocial college self, was an amazing, stick-to-your-ribs, old school venison stew.  Easily tweaked to become beef stew, it has become one of my favorite recipes.  However, it is rather time consuming and hasn’t exactly fit in to the business of this season of life.  Thus was born, the hunt for a delicious yet easy crockpot beef stew.  

Why put sweet potatoes in beef stew?

I’ll be honest, this fall I started on a major sweet potato kick and it’s still going strong.  Growing up, the only contact I had with the sweet potato was the occasional sweet potato fry.  Recently, my eyes have been opened to a whole new world of possibilities.  Sure, most people know about leaning in to the sweet part of the sweet potato.  Candied (I can get behind that) or with marshmallows (yeah, not so much) most people I know view this as the only way to eat a sweet potato.  

Enter in my personal favorite flavor profile to pair with the sweet potato – spicy.  Dice and toss them with a bit of chili powder, a dash of cumin, a sprinkle of salt, and.. okay, yes maybe a tiny bit of brown sugar, and your mouth will sing praises! 

Are sweet potatoes better for you than regular potatoes?

We’ve all heard the claim, “sweet potatoes are better for you than white potatoes”.  Is it true though?  In short, no.  They are different, but not in a way that heavily tips the scale in favor of one or another.  Sweet potatoes are higher in sugars, Vitamin A, Calcium, and Manganese.  White potatoes are higher in calories, carbs, Vitamin B6, Potassium, and Magnesium.  If you are interested in reading more, check out this article by Cleveland Clinic.  

Is this crockpot beef stew a good recipe for people who are busy?

YES!  This is one of my favorite types of recipes.  Minimal prep work, throw it in the crockpot and come home to a tasty and nutritious meal.  The most labor intensive part of this recipe is the chopping of the sweet potatoes and mushrooms.  This truly is one of my favorite dump-and-go recipes!

Are you ready to make this easy crockpot beef stew yet?  Here’s what you’ll need!

INGREDIENTS

• 3(ish) lb chuck roast
• 8 ounces Bella mushrooms
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 springs fresh rosemary
• 2 Tablespoons Worchetershire
• 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Place your chuck roast in the slow cooker along with the onion, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms.
2. Sprinkle the cajun seasoning over the contents of the slow cooker, being sure to disperse it evenly.  Repeat with Worcestershire. 
3. Toss in the fresh herbs and pour in the beef broth.
4. Put lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 10 hours.  At the end of cook time, shred beef and stir contents of the slow cooker.

What did I say?  EASY.  File this one under “meals for mornings where everything else is going wrong”.  It’s sure to make for an “everything is going right evening”.

For more of our favorite beef recipes, check out:

• Cheeseburger Muffin Cups