Crock Pot Stew Beef with Gravy from RecipeZaar

My mom found this recipe. I've loved it from day one. So yummy! It freezes quite well (without the rice, obviously), at least in single serve portions; I haven't tried to freeze a large portion. The original version does not call for the cream of mushroom soup. I've made it both ways, and I much prefer it with the soup. Recipe is easily doubled if your crock pot can hold it all!

To Die for Crock Pot Roast by yooper
Source: slightly adapted from RecipeZaar.com Recipe #27208 (now Food.com)

Ingredients:

• 1 (approx. 1 1/4 ounce) package brown gravy mix, dry
• 1 (approx. 1 1/4 ounce) package Italian salad dressing mix, dry
• 1 (approx. 1 1/4 ounce) package ranch dressing mix, dry
• 2-3 pounds beef stew meat, trimmed of large pieces of fat
• 1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of mushroom condensed soup (fat free is fine)
• 1/2 cup water
• 2-3 cups prepared rice (white or brown)

Directions:

• In a small bowl, combine gravy mix, italian salad dressing mix, and ranch dressing mix. Stir to evenly combine. For 2-3 pounds stew beef, only use half of this dry mixture in the crock pot. Reserve the other half for a later date.
• Place stew meat in crock pot. Sprinkle the dry mixture over the meat. Pour the water around the roast. Top with cream of mushroom soup.
• Cook on low for 7-9 hours, or high for 5-6 hours. Serve over rice.

Notes:

• Adjust the amount of dry mix you use based on the amount of meat you use.
• It is difficult for me to find exactly 1.25 ounce packages of the dry mixes. I buy what is available in the closest amounts.
• I layer half the meat, then half of the dry mix, then half the meat, then half the dry mix. The meat seems more evenly flavored that way. I do put the water and the soup just on top. It "melts" and filters down just fine.
• I do take the lid off and stir to even out the sauce 30-60 minutes before serving.

Comments from RecipeZaar:

• You can also use chicken breast with chicken gravy mix or turkey breast with turkey gravy mix along with the ranch and italian dressing packets and water. Equally yummy! (Erin's Note: I have not personally tried this, but it bet it would be good.)