It’s very easy to make this hearty beef and mushroom stew in the slow cooker, and it’s great for a cold winter night. To make a simple meal, just add green vegetables and boiled or mashed potatoes on the side.
When I hear the word “stew,” I think of the bland, paper-thin meals I ate for dinner at boarding school. Any stew I’ve ever had in school was thin, bland, and not at all like the stews I eat now.
Because stews are usually made with cheaper cuts of meat, they need to be cooked slowly for a long time before they are ready to eat. With a few easy changes, you can turn almost any recipe into a slow cooker meal, even your favorite stew. Make sure your next slow cooker meal tastes unbelievably good by getting my cheat sheet for great slow cooker meals from my Resource Library. Simply click the link below or request the password at the end of this post.
One of my favorite stews is this hearty beef stew. The beef is cooked slowly in big chunks that are easy to shred into the tasty sauce.
Since beef and mushrooms go well together, it makes sense for me to add mushrooms to any beef stew I make. The mushrooms add a deep, savory flavor that goes well with the beef. As the stew cooks, the mushrooms almost melt into the sauce. Delicious!.
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As a hearty one-pot meal, beef stew is a classic comfort food perfect for chilly nights. And adding mushrooms can take this savory dish to the next level. But when it comes to slow cooker beef stew, knowing the right time to add the mushrooms makes all the difference.
When mushrooms are added too early, they can turn mushy and lose their texture. But add them too late and they won’t integrate their flavors into the stew. So when should you add the mushrooms?
Key Timing Considerations for Adding Mushrooms
There are a few key factors to consider regarding mushroom timing in slow cooker beef stew:
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Mushroom Texture – Mushrooms need sufficient time to cook but not so long they get mealy They should retain some bite,
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Flavor Integration – For best flavor blending, mushrooms should cook with the stew for a moderate period.
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Visual Appeal – Adding mushrooms towards the end keeps them intact for better appearance.
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Avoid Overcooking – Too much time in the slow cooker leads to unappealingly soft mushrooms.
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Food Safety – Mushrooms need sufficient cooking to be safe to eat.
Balancing these factors means finding the sweet spot for when to add the mushrooms.
When to Add Mushrooms for Best Results
Taking all these elements into account, the ideal time to add mushrooms to slow cooker beef stew is in the last 1-2 hours of cooking time.
For a stew cooking on low for 8 hours, add the mushrooms around hour 6 or 7. For a high heat 4 hour stew, add them in the last 1-2 hours.
Adding them later in the cooking process, once the beef and vegetables have become very tender, ensures the best results:
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The mushrooms retain a pleasant, moderately firm texture without becoming slimy or mushy.
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Their earthy flavors have enough time to blend into the stew broth’s overall flavor profile.
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Visually, the mushrooms keep their shape nicely.
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Food safety is ensured with an adequate cooking period.
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They avoid becoming overly soft and drab looking.
Compared to other veggie additions like carrots, potatoes, onions etc., the relatively late addition of mushrooms is ideal for slow cooked beef stew.
Tips for Adding Mushrooms
Follow these tips for seamlessly incorporating mushrooms into the stew:
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Cut mushrooms into similar sized pieces as other veggies for uniform cooking. Sliced mushrooms work well.
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Pat dry fresh mushrooms before adding to avoid excess moisture.
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If using dried mushrooms, hydrate first by soaking in hot water for 20-30 minutes.
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Add 1⁄2 to 1 cup roughly chopped mushrooms per 6 servings of stew.
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Stir mushrooms in gently to evenly incorporate without breaking up.
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After adding mushrooms, periodically check stew and stir as needed.
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For thicker stew, whisk in a bit of flour after adding mushrooms to help thickness.
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Cook on high for 1 hour after adding mushrooms to let flavors meld.
Other Vegetable Timing Considerations
Compared to mushrooms added late in the cooking process, other vegetables need more time in the slow cooker:
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Root vegetables – Add at start of cooking – carrots, potatoes, parsnips etc.
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Onions – Also add early on for maximum flavor integration.
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Celery – Add around same time as onions.
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Peas – Add in last 30 minutes if not using frozen peas.
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Leafy greens – Add at very end to just wilt.
Sample Cooking Timeline
As a summary example, a basic timeline when cooking an 8 hour beef stew on low could be:
- Beef browning – 15 minutes
- Sauté aromatics like onion, celery – 5 minutes
- Add broth, tomatoes, roots, herbs – 0 minutes
- Simmer uncovered – 30 minutes
- Cook stew covered on low – 5 to 6 hours
- Add mushrooms – 6 to 7 hour mark
- Continue cooking – 1 to 2 hours
- Add peas in last 30 minutes (if using fresh)
- Adjust seasonings and serve
Perfectly timed mushroom addition takes beef stew to new heights. Follow these tips to balance textures, flavors and food safety when adding mushrooms to your next slow cooker beef stew recipe. With the mushrooms added in the last 1-2 hours of cooking, you’ll have a hearty and delicious meal the whole family will love.
Do you have to cook meat before adding it to the slow cooker?
There are many good reasons to cook meat first before putting it in the slow cooker, but you don’t have to. Browning the meat adds both flavour and colour to the finished dish. You can find more information on browning meat for the slow cooker here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Beef Stew
The tougher cuts of meat that have some fat and connective tissue are the best option for slow cooking. The connective tissue breaks down as it cooks, basting the meat so it doesn’t dry out during the cooking process and adding delicious flavour to the final dish.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew – Easy Peasy Great Dinner!
FAQ
When should mushrooms be added to a stew?
Do you cook mushrooms before adding to a slow cooker?
When should I add vegetables to slow cooker?
When should I add vegetables to beef stew?