Slow Cooker Witches Brew Stew Recipe

a crock pot full of meat and vegetables.

Slow Cooker Witches Brew Stew Recipe

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 2

Total Time: 2 20

Servings: bowls

Calories: 439kcal

Author: Becky Hardin

Looking for a spooktacular meal to serve at your next Halloween party? Try our Witches Brew Stew! Featuring "carrot pumpkins" and "shrunken head mushrooms," this hearty and delicious stew will surely cast a spell on your guests. Perfect for warming up on a chilly autumn evening or enjoying a hauntingly delicious meal on All Hallows' Eve.

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Equipment

Crockpot (click for my favorite)

Ingredients

1 pound Italian sausage
1 pound lean ground beef
3 ounces shallots diced (1 package)
2 ounces dry onion soup mix divided (2 packets)
8 ounces large white mushrooms (1 package)
4 carrots peeled
1 cup chopped celery
1½ pounds baby gemstone potatoes halved
5 cups low sodium beef broth
14 ounces Italian-style petite diced tomatoes (1 can)
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Instructions

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 mix until cooked through, about 5-8 minutes.
1 pound Italian sausage, 1 pound lean ground beef, 3 ounces shallots, 2 ounces dry onion soup mix
As the meat cooks, slice the mushrooms in half and poke eyes into each rounded side with a chopstick or toothpick.
8 ounces large white mushrooms
Cut two triangular wedges out of one side of each carrot and discard. Slice each carrot, forming "pumpkin" shapes.
4 carrots
Once the meat has finished cooking, transfer it to a large slow cooker, leaving behind any extra grease in the pan.
Mix the mushrooms, carrots, celery, and potatoes in the large skillet with the extra grease and heat over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes to begin searing the vegetables. Be sure to stir frequently.
1 cup chopped celery, 1½ pounds baby gemstone potatoes
Transfer the vegetables into the large slow cooker with the meat and sprinkle the second packet of onion soup mix all over the vegetables.
Add the beef broth, diced tomatoes, and red wine vinegar and stir until well combined.
5 cups low sodium beef broth, 14 ounces Italian-style petite diced tomatoes, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Cover with a lid and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours, or until the vegetables are softened enough to pierce easily with a fork.

Notes

Instead of cooking the meat on the stovetop, you could brown it directly in the slow cooker using the sauté function, then add the rest of the ingredients and cook it all together. Be sure to remove any excess grease after cooking the meat.
To make the recipe vegetarian, you could omit the meat and use vegetable broth instead of beef. You could also add more vegetables, such as bell peppers or zucchini.
To make the recipe spicier, add some chopped jalapeño or red pepper flakes to the meat while it's cooking, or add some diced hot peppers along with the other vegetables.
To make the recipe more filling, you could add some cooked beans such as kidney or black beans or some cooked grains such as quinoa or rice.
To make the recipe creamier, add some heavy cream or coconut milk at the end of the cooking time.
To make the recipe more colorful, you could use various colored vegetables, such as purple potatoes or rainbow carrots.
To add more "spooky" fun, you could make "eyes" out of a scoop of sour cream or cream cheese, topped with a sliced black olive to go on the top of the soup. This adds a fun element and a creamy flavor that compliments the soup well.

Storage: Store witches brew stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition