Is there anything better than a hot, hearty beef stew on a cold winter day? Yep. When you don’t have to do any of the chopping or prepping cause you’re a genius and already did it! Just taking a bag out of the freezer and tossing it in the Crock Pot in the morning is what I call making dinner!
Easy peasy. Gives me more time to garden, clean and play with Lucy {okay so mostly just play with Lucy}. But holy cats this recipe was good. My family scarfed it down.
Freezer Meals – Beef Stew
Ingredients
4 lbs cubed beef
4 cups carrots, chopped
4 cups cubed potatoes {I used baby red cut in half}
2 onions, chopped
5 oz dried beans
2 cups celery, chopped
2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
4 tsp quick-cooking tapioca
2 Tbs brown sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Mix all ingredients. Divide into 2 gallon sized Ziploc bags, lay flat, label and freeze.
To cook after freezing:
Throw ingredients of Ziplocs into a crock pot. Add 1 1/2 cups of water. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Looking for a good crock pot? Here’s my favorite: Hamilton Beach Stay or Go 6-Quart Slow Cooker
Looking for a few more of my Freezer Meal Recipes? Here are my favorites:
- Roadside Sliders Recipe
- Easy Freezer Meal Meatballs
- Peach Crisp Recipe
- Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Chicken Cacciatore
- Chicken Casserole with Mashed Potato Topping
Kamiko says
I have a Hamilton beach and i love using it, at least every other day here in Florida! i would love to try this recipe!!
Ashley Kline says
Is 1 1/2 c of water really enough liquid for the beans? Also how many people would you say this feeds?
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Ashley, you can always add more water or sauce if you need to. This is thick stew and makes about 8 1 cup servings.
Ashley Kline says
Ok. Thank you!
ChrisM says
You don’t have to soak the beans or anything first?
Jenn says
I’m so glad that someone else calls this beef stew. I make beef stew very similar to this but my husband says it isn’t beef stew, that it is vegetable beef soup. Apparently what he grew up on as beef stew is beef, carrots and potatoes in a gravy.
Emma says
This is great. Was looking for some pre prepared meals for when my maternity leave finishes and it’s nice to not just reheat cooked meals. Just one question I’ve never seen quick tapioca here in Australia. Is normal going to be ok or should I use something else?
Lyn says
Just to clarify, this one recipe needs to be frozen in two bags, but both bags get added to one crock pot along with one and a half cups of water?
Thanks for the help!
Mavis Butterfield says
No. This recipe makes 2 bags of beef stew. When you are ready to cook add 1 1/2 cups of water and 1 bag of beef stew and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Lyn says
The plural on Ziplocks threw me off. Thanks for the clarification! I look forward to making this. Sure looks delicious 🙂
Shirley says
Im guessing the quick tapioca is to thicken it. Is there something else you could substitute it with?
Janine says
Blanching of the veggies isn’t necessary?
Mary Ann says
Do the potatoes turn black in the freezer?
Mavis Butterfield says
Great question! Mine did not.