Slow Cooker Marsala Beef Stew
Posted: 10/02/2015
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This slow cooker Marsala beef stew will fill your house with the smells of Marsala – it’s the perfect fall meal, ready and waiting for you!
I know I’ve been fighting it and maybe even complaining about it a little bit, but I’m coming to terms with fall’s arrival. Slowly. A thick, hearty Marsala beef stew simmering all day in the slow cooker does wonders for my attitude about colder weather.
Don’t you just love the flavor of Marsala? If you’re not familiar with Marsala, it’s a fortified wine originally from the city of Marsala in Sicily, Italy. There are dry and sweet varieties. Marsala is often paired with mushrooms. I love these Marsala Roasted Mushrooms! One of my husband’s favorite dishes is Chicken Marsala, an easy recipe I make in my Instant Pot. I also love this one pan pasta recipe, Chicken Marsala Pasta.
When Holland House Cooking Wines asked me to create a slow cooker comfort food recipe, my mind quickly went to beef stew with Marsala. What gives more comfort than tender beef in a thick, rich, flavorful broth?
When making this stew, I highly recommend taking the time to brown the meat in a pan to bring out really great flavor. However, if you’re in a rush, just toss the beef cubes with flour, throw everything in the slow cooker and let the low, slow heat work its magic!
The flavors of the beef with the Holland House Marsala Cooking Wine, mushrooms, fresh thyme, and vegetables will warm your soul. Sounds cheesy but it’s kinda true.
Love the convenience of your slow cooker?
Check out these favorites:
- Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
- Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast — tender perfection!
- Southwestern Slow Cooker Barley Casserole with Ground Turkey
- Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki
- Slow Cooker Minestrone with Quinoa
- Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken Thighs
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Slow Cooker Texas Chili
- Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup with Tortellini
- 68 Slow Cooker Soup Recipes
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
servings
Slow cooker beef Marsala stew will fill your house with tantalizing aromas as it simmers. You'll look forward to dinner all day long!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (see note)
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 16 ounces white mushrooms, halved or quartered
- 4 large carrots, cut into ½-inch pieces (2 cups)
- 3 stalks celery, cut into ½-inch pieces (2 cups)
- 2 cups frozen pearl onions
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup Marsala wine (dry, not sweet)
- 2 cups low sodium beef stock
- 3 sprigs thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, more if needed
- 1 cups frozen peas
- mashed potatoes, cooked rice, or noodles for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Toss beef cubes with flour, salt and pepper. Place beef in a single layer in the heated skillet and brown meat on all sides. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your pan, adding more oil as necessary. Beef will be browned but not cooked through. Place in slow cooker when browned.
- To the same pan, add mushrooms. Spread into a single layer and cook without stirring for 2 minutes. Stir and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until browned (add a splash of beef broth to pan if there’s too much browning). Add to slow cooker when browned.
- Add carrots, celery, and pearl onions to the same pan. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until celery begins to soften. Add tomato paste and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add marsala wine and cook, scraping brown bits off bottom of pan, for 1 to 2 minutes or until wine has reduced slightly.
- Add vegetable mixture to slow cooker. Add beef stock, thyme, and bay leaf to slow cooker, stirring to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high 3 to 4 hours, or until beef is tender and vegetables are soft. Carefully remove thyme stems and bay leaf.
- In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water until smooth.
- Increase heat to high (if on low) and stir in cornstarch mixture. Cook for 30 minutes or until thick. If not reaching desired thickness, add another 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water.
- Stir in frozen peas. Taste, and add salt and pepper, if needed. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.
Notes
- Nutrition information is for stew only.
- If you use unsalted beef broth, you may need to add up to an additional 1 teaspoon kosher salt. When stew has finished cooking, taste and season to your liking.
- If you're in a hurry, skip the browning step and just add everything to the crockpot. The stew will turn out fine.
- If you love potatoes in stew, add a couple cups of diced potatoes, or halved baby potatoes.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1.25cups, Calories: 434kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 38g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 117mg, Sodium: 611mg, Potassium: 1196mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 5405IU, Vitamin C: 17mg, Calcium: 72mg, Iron: 5mg
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Disclaimer: This Slow Cooker Marsala Beef Stew was created in connection with my agreement as a contributor to the Holland House Cooking Wines. Holland House compensated me for the time required to create this recipe and share it with you. All opinions are always my own. Thank you for supporting my blog by reading about brands I use and love in my own home.
heather says
Don’t wanna bother with rice or mashed potatoes? Good!
Because this is even better over a nice slice of crusty bread toasted with a swipe of butter. Less work, more yummy.
Rachel Gurk says
Love that idea!
Patty Ravis says
I made this crockpot Marsala Beef Stew today and can’t say enough about it. I felt like I made a gourmet meal. Everyone loved it! Had it over mashed potatoes. Can’t wait to make for company :) Thnx for posting Rachael
Carol Plath says
I have been getting your newsletters but I can never print the recipe. I have Windows Vista. Would love to try this recipe. Help. Thanks.
Rachel Gurk says
Strange! Have you tried printing directly from my site instead of the newsletter?
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This beef stew looks so comforting and delicious! Slow cooker meals are my favorite during this time of year!
Nicole says
Beef stew is one of my favorite wintertime meals. This looks like the perfect winter comfort food! I love that it is made in the slow cooker.
denise says
this would be perfect for today!
Beth says
My fav part? That the difficulty is easy because the reward looks great!!
Angie says
This recipe looks great, Rachel. While I love the crock pot concept and don’t personally mind the results, my family is less than enthusiastic in general about crockpot meals. Your photos here and the recipe gives me some hope however even with your excellent instructions I’m somewhat reluctant.
Rachel Gurk says
Thank you! I agree — the crockpot isn’t always the best. But stews are made for crockpots. Hope you try it and love it!