Best Gravy Mix or Canned Gravy for Crock Pot Beef Stew

Well, it's November. And I'm just going to go ahead and apologize for the the whining that is sure to ensue, as I'll be 30 years old in just a few short weeks. Well, that's not entirely true… I probably won't whine too much. I'm not really that upset about it. And honestly, I kinda feel like I'm missing something because I'm not filled with dread or mental anguish over what – to me – is just another number. It's pretty amazing how much my life has changed in the past 10 years. My twenties are sure to have played host to some of the most monumental times of my life – college graduation, getting married, buying a house, having a baby – becoming an adult. I've always been mature, but I can't say that 10 years ago I would have expected to be where I am now. I guess I had those status quo aspirations of becoming famous and changing the world – the things every 20 year old dreams of… I think. But, I'll certainly stop short of saying that I failed. Sure, I haven't discovered a cure for cancer or developed the newest internet sensation and made a billion. But, my world has changed without a doubt. Becoming a father is probably the most supreme accomplishment of my twenties. And amazingly I wasn't even sure that was a path I wanted to take – I wasn't sure I had what it would take to be a daddy. But my wife had faith in me and now I can't even imagine a day without that little rambunctious ball of energy. He truly has changed my life. I saw a quote the other day that said, "This may not be where I intended to go, but I'm pretty sure I ended up where I'm supposed to be." It struck a chord with me and just got me to thinking about where I am in life. And I truly believe that I've ended up where I should be – as a husband, a daddy, scaring the monsters out of my little boy's bedroom, making him eat his vegetables, then finding myself sitting here in my bed at 10:30 on a Monday night telling y'all all about it. Thanks for being a part of that. I love y'all.

———————————————

With fall here and the temps falling, my desire for stick-to-your-ribs comfort food is growing. This recipe is a great way to fill your family's bellies with wholesome food that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Ingredients

2 lbs beef stew meat
salt and pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
5 potatoes, peeled and chopped
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
4 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 packets brown gravy mix (not pictured)

Instructions

In a large bowl, generously salt and pepper meat and stir with flour until meat is coated.
Heat oil in a large skillet and brown meat.
In the slow cooker crock, place potatoes on bottom, top with carrots, celery, browned meat, then onions on top.
In another bowl combine gravy packets and garlic powder with beef broth. Pour mixture into crock.
Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, stirring once in the last hour.

Can you find me in this picture???
Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 8 hrs

Total Time 8 hrs 20 mins
- 2 lbs beef stew meat
- salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 5 potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 celery ribs, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 (.87 to 1.0-ounce) packets brown gravy mix
- In a large bowl, generously salt and pepper meat and stir with flour until meat is coated.
- Heat oil in a large skillet and brown meat.
- In the slow cooker crock, place potatoes on bottom, top with carrots, celery, browned meat, then onions on top.
- In another bowl combine gravy packets and garlic powder with beef broth. Pour mixture into crock.
- Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, stirring once in the last hour.
Find the gravy too thin? Simply mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold broth or water in a small bowl. Stir the mixture it into the slow cooker. Cover and increase the heat to high for about 20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Tag me on Instagram: @SouthernBite using the hashtag #SouthernBite, so I can see how it turned out!