Description
Witches Brew Stew is a hearty and flavorful slow-cooked meal featuring a savory mix of Italian sausage, lean ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and tender baby potatoes. Enhanced with onion soup mix, red wine vinegar, and Italian-style diced tomatoes, this stew offers a comforting, rich taste perfect for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 3-ounce package of shallots, diced
- 1 ounce onion soup mix (1 packet)
- 1 ounce onion soup mix (1 packet)
Vegetables
- 1 8-ounce package of large white mushrooms
- 4 large carrots, peeled
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1/2 of a 1.5-pound bag of baby gemstone potatoes, halved
Liquids and Others
- 5 cups beef broth
- 1 14-ounce can Italian-style petite diced tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Cook the Meat and Shallots: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the Italian sausage and lean ground beef with the diced shallots and one packet of onion soup mix until cooked through, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Prepare Vegetables: While cooking the meat, slice the mushrooms in half and poke eyes into each rounded side with a chopstick or toothpick to create a spooky effect. Cut two triangular wedges out of one side of each carrot to resemble pumpkins and slice the carrots accordingly.
- Transfer Meat to Slow Cooker: Once the meat is cooked, transfer it to a large slow cooker, leaving behind any excess grease in the skillet.
- Sear Vegetables: In the same skillet with the remaining grease, add the mushrooms, carrots, celery, and halved baby potatoes. Heat over medium-high heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently to begin searing the vegetables.
- Add Vegetables to Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared vegetables into the slow cooker with the cooked meat. Sprinkle the second packet of onion soup mix over the vegetables.
- Add Liquids and Combine: Pour in the beef broth, Italian-style diced tomatoes (with juices), and red wine vinegar. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook the Stew: Cover with a lid and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours, or on low for 4 to 6 hours, until the vegetables are soft enough to pierce easily with a fork.
- Serve: Ladle the Witches Brew Stew into bowls and enjoy hot for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For a thicker stew, cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes to reduce some liquid.
- Use turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Red wine vinegar adds a nice tang; substitute with apple cider vinegar if unavailable.
- Make sure to properly sear the vegetables to develop deeper flavors before slow cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
