beef stew recipies

Ok- I tried to make beef stew in the crock pot and the meat was a little too dry for me.  How do you make beef stew that the meat comes out nice and juicy and tender???  Do you have any specific recipies???

I have tried to cook with my crock pot a few times and the meat comes out dry.  What am I doing wrong???

More than likely cooking it too long. It really does not need to be in the crock pot more than 8 hours. I have a recipe that is called "Beered Up Beef" and yes it is cooked with beer, ground pepper, mushrooms, onions, beef and a little flour.

edited: I have to find my recipe on another 'puter. Be back soon.

Beered Up Beer

4# beef chuck cut in 2" pieces (I like to make the pieces smaller - beware that it cooks faster)
1/2 c flour
2 Tbls salt (too much in my opinion)
2 teas paprika
1/2 teas pepper (or less)
10-12 small onions peeled/rough cut or just quartered (pearl size or larger if you like more)
4 strips bacon, cut in small pieces
1 # fresh mushrooms (I like more)
1 (12 oz) can of beer
1 teas sugar
1 tbls vinegar
1/2 teas oregano
1/2 teas marjoram
1 bay leaf
Shake beef cubes with flour, salt, paprika and pepper in a paper or plastic sack. Place onions, bacon and half of the mushrooms in slow cooker. Add floured beef and remaining mushrooms. Mix beer w/sugar, vinegar, oregano, marjoram and bay leaf. Pour into slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat 8-10 hours (I found it cooks faster) Serve over noodles or rice (try red Quinoa for a change - I cooked it like rice but in chicken or beef broth). makes 6-8 (cold) water pour into beef mixture, turn on high, simmer for about 10 minutes.

Well that sounds different.  I will try it next weekend.  Bacon??? Never heard of that...I love bacon.  Do I cook the bacon first?  I don't like mushrooms so I won't be putting mushrooms in my stew.  Also, just for the sake of cutting calories and carbs...do you think that low calorie MGD 64 would be ok...or do you think I should use the regular beer? 

Reading your post I think I know what I am doing wrong.  I am cooking the stew too long...oh well next time I won't cook it too long. 

No on the cooking of the bacon first. It helps add flavor and the beer is there for the flavor also. I do not think that it would matter what you used, MGD 64 would be fine. I usually use Becks.

I just made beef stew last week.  I put 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1 package of onion soup mix, about a cup of water and what ever veggies I want.  You have to cook it in the crock pot all day.  I found this receipe on "The World According to Egg Face" site when I was in the soft food stages.  It works!

I probably have a ton or recipes and you can always look at www.food.com or www.eatingwell.com.

Basically, put the cubed beef in the pot with liquid (beef broth, beer, wine, etc.....), seasonings and veggies and let cook on low.  No more than 8 hours, probably less.  If your crock pot does not have a timer, you can also cook it in the oven on a very low heat.....275...for the day.  If the liquid need to be thickened when done, mix about a 1/4 cup of corn starch or 1/2 cup of flour with double the amount of water and stir in quickly.

 Crystal

I have not had problems using my crock pot all day.  I do set it on low and use LOTS of liquid.  I usually have it plugged in by 7 am or so and usually eat between 6 and 7 in the evening so I am cooking my food almost 12 hours.  I dont find it dry.  But I do use chicken or beef broth a lot.  

Nancy