Yes, people can absolutely put potatoes in a slow cooker stew! In fact, potatoes are a common ingredient in many slow cooker stew recipes. Slow cookers are great for preparing stews because they allow the ingredients to simmer and blend together over a long period, resulting in tender and flavorful dishes.
When using potatoes in a slow cooker stew, it's best to cut them into chunks or cubes, so they cook evenly and don't turn mushy during the long cooking process. Additionally, you can add other vegetables, meats, and seasonings to create a well-balanced and delicious stew.
Here's a simple recipe for a classic beef stew using potatoes in a slow cooker:
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs (680g) beef stew meat, cut into chunks
- 4 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef chunks on all sides for a few minutes, then transfer them to the slow cooker.
In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until softened and fragrant. Add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, stirring for another minute.
Pour the beef broth into the skillet, stirring to combine everything. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Once done, pour the broth mixture into the slow cooker over the beef.
Add the potato chunks and sliced carrots to the slow cooker.
Season the stew with dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper.
Stir all the ingredients in the slow cooker, making sure they are well combined.
Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours until the beef is tender and the potatoes are fully cooked.
Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Once the cooking time is complete, you'll have a hearty and flavorful stew with tender potatoes. Enjoy your delicious slow cooker meal!