Nif's Nothing Fancy Crock Pot Stew with a Secret Ingredient

Cozy up with "Nif's Nothing Fancy Crock Pot Stew with a Secret Ingredient," a comforting, low-maintenance recipe that delivers big on flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, this hearty stew combines tender beef, russet potatoes, carrots, celery, and a robust blend of savory seasonings, all gently simmered in a crock pot for hours. The dish’s star twist? A tablespoon of creamy peanut butter secretly stirred in, adding a subtle nuttiness that elevates the rich, savory broth. Thickened to perfection and finished with a pop of sweetness from frozen peas, this one-pot wonder is a classic with a deliciously unexpected edge. Serve it with crusty bread for a soul-warming meal the whole family will love. Keywords: crock pot stew, secret ingredient, hearty beef stew, peanut butter stew recipe, easy slow cooker recipes.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:500 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef stew meat
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
• 2 stalks celery stalks, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter (secret ingredient)
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions

Step 1

Season the beef stew meat with salt and ground black pepper.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the stew meat on all sides, working in batches if necessary. Transfer the browned meat to the crock pot.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the onions to the crock pot.

Step 4

Add the cubed potatoes, sliced carrots, and celery to the crock pot, layering them over the beef and onions.

Step 5

Stir in minced garlic, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Mix well to combine.

Step 6

Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.

Step 7

30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, stir in the creamy peanut butter (the secret ingredient!) until fully dissolved into the stew.

Step 8

In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the crock pot to thicken the broth.

Step 9

Add frozen peas and let the stew cook for an additional 30 minutes.

Step 10

Remove the bay leaf before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 11

Serve the stew hot with a side of crusty bread for dipping and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3058.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2632.2

Total Fat 108.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 33.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 408.2mg	0%
Sodium 3728.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 256.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.0g	0%
Total Sugars 35.4g
Protein 165.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 476.3mg	0%
Iron 26.9mg	0%
Potassium 7757.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.7%

Protein: 24.8%

Carbs: 38.5%