Beer-Braised Stew

Name: Beer-Braised Stew
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 20 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 3 bacon strips, diced; 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons canola oil; 2 cups fresh baby carrots; 1 medium onion, cut into wedges; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; 1 bay leaf; 1 can (12 ounces) beer or nonalcoholic beer; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup water; Hot cooked noodles; Chopped fresh parsley, optional

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Cook: 6 hours YIELD: 8 servings.

Guests will take one bite of this savory stew and immediately know something is different. And they'll never guess the secret ingredient is beer! Serve this with a loaf of freshly baked bread and everyone will be happy. —Geri Faustich, Appleton, Wisconsin

Ingredients

3 bacon strips, diced
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 cups fresh baby carrots
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 bay leaf
1 can (12 ounces) beer or nonalcoholic beer
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
Hot cooked noodles
Chopped fresh parsley, optional

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels; drain, discarding drippings. Sprinkle beef with pepper and salt. In the same skillet, brown beef in oil in batches; drain.
2. Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add the carrots, bacon, onion, garlic and bay leaf. In a small bowl, combine the beer, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Pour over beef mixture.
3. Cover and cook on low for 5-1/2 to 6 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender.
4. In a small bowl, combine flour and water until smooth. Gradually stir into slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes or until thickened. Discard bay leaf. Serve beef with noodles. If desired, top with chopped parsley.

Nutrition Facts

1/2 cup (calculated without noodles): 258 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 340mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.