I think that I have started every blog post for the past year…. “My life is so hectic these days!” or “Is anyone else crazy busy right now?”
No seriously, I can’t even get over how ‘active,’ ‘engaged,’ ‘packed’ my schedule is these days.
The thing is I know I am not alone!
I have recently heard all my real life friends and even all my invisible internet friends, voice their concerns about hectic and full schedules.
I even thought that November would be a bit slower than normal, and it is in some areas of my life, but in other areas it is full speed ahead with deadlines, multiple birthday celebrations (including yours truly), various out of town excursions and oh yeah, holiday happenings.
Since this time of year is jammed packed with errands fun (or if you are like me and the rest of the world, and just your ‘life’ is jammed packed), I rely heavily on quick meals and more specifically my slow cooker!
I have professed my love for my slow cooker many times on this blog and I must confess that I don’t think my love for this simple kitchen appliance will ever end.
I mean seriously people, if you don’t have a slow cooker run out and buy one stat! It makes dinner a breeze (dump, set and go) and if you are like me, who gets a tad bit irrational when you are hungry and are so delirious you can’t even think about dinner, much less cooking it (only shoveling food in your face) after a long day, a slow cooker is a life.saver. Not to mention most slow cooker meals can be made for $10 or less (which means more money for Black Friday shopping)!
My latest slow cooker recipe is a fall-inspired beef stew. And I know what you are thinking… “Isn’t all stew considered fall food?” And yes, you are right, but this stew is rich in fall flavors. With pumpkin, sweet potatoes and a hearty Tavern Style stew sauce (made easily with Campbell’s new Slow Cooker Sauces) this meal has fall (and hectic) days written all over it!

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Beef Stew
This Slow Cooker Pumpkin Beef Stew has tender pieces of beef and hearty sweet potatoes all simmered in a robust and flavorful pumpkin sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef chuck or stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon steak seasoning
- 1 1/2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 1 (12-ounce) bottle pumpkin beer*
- 1/2 cup no salt added beef broth**
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, stir together flour and steak seasoning. Add cubed beef to flour mixture and toss to coat, shaking off excess flour.
- Heat avocado oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Working in batches, add flour coated beef to hot pan and cook until just browned on all sides. Add browned beef to slow cooker. (See notes if you wish to skip this step.)
- To the slow cooker, stir in remaining ingredients.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours on high for 4-5 hours. Add additional salt and pepper, if needed, right before serving.
Notes
*Beef broth, apple cider or tomato juice may be substituted.
**Add additional broth if stew becomes too thick.
We think searing the meat before adding it to the slow cooker builds flavor. However, you can skip this step, if desired. Simply omit flour and avocado oil and add steak seasoning and beef directly to slow cooker.
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I love a good slow cooker meal! This looks delicious!