Slow Cooker Beef Eggplant Stew | Morsels of Life

Slow Cooker Beef Eggplant Stew

Morsels of Life - Slow Cooker Beef Eggplant Stew - Thick and savory - you'll want to try this flavorful slow cooker beef eggplant stew flavored with garlic, thyme, and onions.

I'm definitely a fan of those slow cooker meals where you just dump everything into the slow cooker, set it, leave, and come back to deliciousness. But I'd also always heard if you browned the meat first, it'd bring an additional deepness and complexity to the flavor profile.

Well, only one way to find out - experimentation!

I went ahead and browned the beef before placing it into the slow cooker. And then, since I already had a pot out, I figured I might as well cook up the seasonings too. Then, into the slow cooker it all goes! However, instead of putting everything into the slow cooker like usual, I was a bit concerned the eggplant would get too mushy, so I added it later.

Would I make this slow cooker beef eggplant stew this way again? Maybe, but not if I'm looking for a slow cooker recipe. While the flavor of this dish significantly improved compared to my usual dump, set, and return method, I'm still a fan of its simplicity. I might make this recipe again if I've got more time (and planned ahead). To modify this dish for my usual dump, set, and eat method, I'd mix the flour with stock first, and then into the pot it all goes! Out comes a richly flavorful, slow cooker beef eggplant stew!

What about you - do you prefer browning your meats before using a slow cooker or throwing everything in at once?


Morsels of Life - Slow Cooker Beef Eggplant Stew - Thick and savory - you'll want to try this flavorful slow cooker beef eggplant stew flavored with garlic, thyme, and onions.

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Thick and savory - you'll want to try this flavorful slow cooker beef eggplant stew flavored with garlic, thyme, and onions.

Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Yield: 8 servings

Materials:

Mass Weight Volume Number Material Notes
473 grams 16.75 ounces 3.5 cups 2 onions, diced
466 grams 16.375 ounces 2 cups beef stock
30 grams 1.125 ounces 1/4 cup flour
447 grams 15.75 ounces 3.5 cups 5 carrots, chopped
348 grams 12.25 ounces 4 cups 2 eggplants, chopped
1 tablespoon 3 cloves garlic, minced
4 bay leaves
2 teaspoons thyme
454 grams 1 pound beef, chunked


Methods:

Morsels of Life - Slow Cooker Beef Eggplant Stew Step 1 - Gather all materials. 1. Gather all materials.
Morsels of Life - Slow Cooker Beef Eggplant Stew Step 2 - (optional) Brown beef in a bit of oil, then transfer to slow cooker. 2. (optional) Brown beef in a bit of oil, then transfer to slow cooker.
Morsels of Life - Slow Cooker Beef Eggplant Stew Step 3 - (optional) Brown onions in same pot used to brown beef. Add in garlic and thyme, then transfer to slow cooker. 3. (optional) Brown onions in same pot used to brown beef. Add in garlic and thyme, then transfer to slow cooker.
Morsels of Life - Slow Cooker Beef Eggplant Stew Step 4 - Pour stock into same pot, and mix in flour. 4. Pour stock into same pot, and mix in flour.
Morsels of Life - Slow Cooker Beef Eggplant Stew Step 5 - Combine all materials in slow cooker. (Eggplant optional.) 5. Combine all materials in slow cooker. (Eggplant optional.)
Morsels of Life - Slow Cooker Beef Eggplant Stew Step 6 - Stir in eggplant about 1-2 hours before mealtime (if not added in Step 5). Continue to cook in slow cooker until mealtime. 6. Stir in eggplant about 1-2 hours before mealtime (if not added in Step 5). Continue to cook in slow cooker until mealtime.

Morsels of Life - Slow Cooker Beef Eggplant Stew - Thick and savory - you'll want to try this flavorful slow cooker beef eggplant stew flavored with garlic, thyme, and onions.

11 comments:

  1. We love eggplant. Thanks for linking up to Simply Natural Saturdays.

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  2. Then I hope you enjoy this slow cooker beef eggplant stew! It's really quite flavorful. :)

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  3. This sounds delicious!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  4. mmmm! SIGN ME UPPPP!! Love slow cooker anything, makes the meat SO TENDER!

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  5. So tender and delicious! Browning the meat beforehand also adds so much flavor. :)

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  6. Hi CJ - Thanks so much for sharing with the Let's Get Real party.

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  7. Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  8. I've never used eggplant in stew before. I have to try that! Thanks for bringing this to #SaucySaturdays.

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  9. I like to brown the meat before it goes into the crockpot. I've never tried eggplant in a stew and will try this on the stovetop instead.

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  10. This stew's definitely one you could easily make on the stove top or in the slow cooker. I'm thinking stovetop sounds yummy! :)

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