Tillie Doyle
Sausage stew is a hearty and flavorful dish that can be easily prepared in a crock pot. It is a convenient option for those who want to serve a delicious and healthy meal but are short on time. The crock pot allows you to create tender and tasty meals with less expensive cuts of meat, and it is also suitable for vegetarian and vegan dishes. This article will provide a step-by-step guide to making a mouthwatering sausage stew, along with suggestions for customization and serving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of sausage | Italian, Turkey, Beef, or any favorite sausage |
| Vegetables | Potatoes, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Onions, Peppers, Tomatoes |
| Spices | Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Italian seasoning, Cumin, Bay leaf, Rosemary, Parsley |
| Other ingredients | Olive oil, Chicken broth, Flour, Bread, Pasta |
| Cooking time | 4-6 hours on high, 8-10 hours on low |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients: Italian sausage, vegetables, broth, spices
Italian sausage is a versatile ingredient that can be used to make a hearty stew in a crock pot. You can use either sweet, mild or hot Italian sausage depending on your preference for spice levels. The sausage should be sliced into 0.5-inch round pieces or removed from its casing and crumbled. It is recommended to brown the sausage first in a skillet or stovetop before adding it to the crock pot to lock in the juices.
For the vegetables, you can use a combination of fresh or frozen options. Carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes form the base of a good stew, but you can also add other vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, spinach, peas, and bell peppers for extra flavour and colour.
The broth adds depth and richness to the stew. You can use beef, chicken, or vegetable broth, depending on your preference. If using beef broth, consider adding a few shakes of Worcestershire sauce to enhance the meaty flavour. Alternatively, you can substitute the broth with a can of beer for a wheatier flavour.
Finally, spices and seasonings bring all the flavours together. Italian seasoning, which includes dried herbs like oregano, parsley, basil, rosemary, and thyme, is a good choice for this dish. You can also add spices like cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground black pepper to taste.
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Preparation: Chop vegetables, slice sausage, add to crock pot
Preparing your ingredients is the first step to making a delicious sausage stew in your crock pot. This recipe is very easy to modify, so feel free to add or remove vegetables according to your preference.
To start, you'll need to chop up your vegetables. Dice your carrots, celery, and potatoes into small, evenly sized pieces. You can also add other vegetables like onions, bell peppers, or garlic, chopping them into similar-sized pieces. If you're using canned vegetables like tomatoes or tomato paste, open the cans and set them aside.
Next, you'll want to slice your sausage. You can use any type of sausage you like, such as Italian sausage or turkey sausage. If you're using sausage links, slice them into 2-inch pieces. If you're using bulk sausage, you can cook and crumble it before adding it to the crock pot, or simply slice it into chunks.
Once your vegetables and sausage are prepared, simply add them to your crock pot. You can also add seasonings like Italian seasoning, cumin, or bay leaves at this point, as well as broth to create a flavoursome base for your stew. Give everything a good stir to combine, then proceed to the cooking stage.
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Cooking: Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours
Once you've prepared your ingredients and added them to the crock pot, it's time to start cooking your sausage stew. Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on a low heat setting for 8-10 hours or on a high heat setting for 4-6 hours.
This extended cooking time is what makes slow cookers like crock pots so useful for busy cooks. You can simply leave the stew to cook while you go about your day, only needing to stir it occasionally. It's a very hands-off cooking method that still yields delicious, tender, and tasty results.
If you're in a hurry, you can shorten the cooking time by coating the meat in flour and browning it in a skillet before adding it to the crock pot. This will reduce the cooking time to 3-5 hours on a high heat setting.
You can also adjust the consistency of your stew by thickening the broth. To do this, simply combine 2 tablespoons of flour with 3 tablespoons of water and stir this mixture into the crock pot about an hour before the stew is finished cooking.
Finally, consider serving your sausage stew with some crusty bread, pasta, or mashed potatoes to soak up all the delicious juices.
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Serving: Eat with bread, pasta, or potatoes
Sausage stew is a hearty meal that goes well with bread, pasta, or potatoes. If you're serving it with bread, a crusty loaf is a great option for dipping into the stew. You can also add grated Parmesan cheese on top. For a more filling option, serve the stew with mashed potatoes or your favourite type of pasta. If you want to add pasta to the stew itself, it's best to cook it separately and then add it to the stew before serving to avoid it becoming too soft.
If you're looking for a more indulgent option, cornbread is a tasty choice that will complement the flavours of the sausage stew. For a quick and easy side, boiled or mashed potatoes are always a good option. You can also add a sprinkle of parsley to enhance the flavour and colour of the dish.
When it comes to bread, you can't go wrong with a crusty Italian loaf. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even dip the bread into the stew for a heartier bite. For a softer option, egg noodles are a great choice that will soak up the delicious flavours of the stew.
For a more substantial meal, boiled potatoes with the skin on are a great option. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces and cook them until they're tender. You can also experiment with different types of potatoes, such as golden or red potatoes, to find your favourite variety to pair with the sausage stew.
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Storage: Refrigerate for 3 days or freeze for 3 months
To store your sausage stew, let it cool down to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. If you want to keep it longer, it's best to freeze it.
When freezing stew, it's important to use airtight containers or freezer bags designed for freezing. Label each container with the date and the name of the dish. Stews can be safely stored in a standard freezer for up to 6 months and in a deep freezer for up to 12 months. However, the quality may degrade over time due to freezer burn or other issues, so try to use it within 3 months for best results.
To defrost the stew, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw slowly. This will take several hours or overnight, depending on the amount of stew. Once defrosted, it is best to consume the stew within a day or two for optimal freshness and flavour. Reheat the stew thoroughly on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in the oven until it reaches a temperature of at least 74°C or 165°F to ensure any bacteria are killed.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need sausages, vegetables (such as carrots, celery, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes), and a liquid such as broth or stock. You can also add spices and herbs for extra flavour.
You can either slice the sausages and cook them in a skillet before adding them to the crock pot, or you can add them whole and let them cook in the crock pot with the rest of the ingredients.
Cook the stew on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.
You can serve sausage stew with crusty bread, pasta, egg noodles, cornbread, or mashed potatoes.
