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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef and Cabbage Oktoberfest Stew: Easy One-Pot Dinner

cozy slow cooker beef and cabbage oktoberfest stew - featured image
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A hearty, honest stew that brings the flavors of a German beer hall to your kitchen with almost zero effort. Beef chuck, cabbage, and a tangy-savory broth come together in the slow cooker for a cozy, one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 1 medium head green cabbage, chopped into 1-inch squares
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3–4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into thick rounds
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional garnish: fresh parsley, chopped, and sour cream or whole-grain mustard

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef cubes completely dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches, sear the beef cubes for 2-3 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms. Transfer seared beef to the slow cooker.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Add diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in about ¼ cup of beef broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker with the beef.
  4. Add chopped cabbage, sliced carrots, and diced apple to the slow cooker on top of the beef and onions. Do not stir.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together remaining beef broth, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, caraway seeds, smoked paprika, and bay leaves. Pour over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until beef is fall-apart tender and cabbage is silky soft.
  7. Remove bay leaves. Stir the stew. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or a splash of apple cider vinegar. If desired, thicken by mashing some cooked vegetables or stirring in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) and cooking on HIGH for 15 minutes.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Notes

Searing the beef is crucial for deep flavor. Pat the beef dry for a good sear. Cut vegetables evenly for uniform cooking. Taste and adjust seasoning at the end. The stew tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, beef stew, cabbage, Oktoberfest, one-pot, comfort food, fall, winter

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-and-cabbage-oktoberfest-stew-easy-one-pot-dinner/