Slow-Cooker Sweet & Sour Beef

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
• 15 oz tomato sauce (1 can)
• 0.25 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 0.5 cup molasses (The creator eyeballs this amount.)
• 1 tsp salt (About 1 teaspoon, or to taste.)
• 2 lb stewing beef (Already browned before adding to the sauce; use bite-size stewing meat.)
• 1 large white onion (Sliced.)
• 1 bell pepper (Cut into small squares; color not specified.)
• 2 cups sliced carrots (Use purchased sliced carrots or slice them yourself.)
• white rice (Cooked and served alongside the beef; amount not specified.)

Steps

1. 1

   Brown the 2 pounds of bite-size stewing beef in a skillet before beginning the slow-cooker preparation. The beef does not need to be fully cooked through at this stage; browning develops flavor.

2. 2

   In the slow-cooker insert, combine the apple cider vinegar, tomato sauce, sugar, paprika, chili powder, molasses, and about 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir until the sugar and seasonings are evenly distributed through the sauce.

3. 3

   Add the browned beef to the sauce and stir so the pieces are tucked down and coated.

4. 4

   Slice the large white onion and add it over the beef.

5. 5

   Cut the bell pepper into small squares and add it to the slow cooker.

6. 6

   Add about 2 cups of sliced carrots. Store-bought sliced carrots may be used, or slice fresh carrots yourself.

7. 7

   Stir the beef and vegetables gently so they are distributed through the sauce. Cover the slow cooker with its lid.

8. 8

   Cook on HIGH for about 4 hours, until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Alternatively, cook on LOW for approximately 6 to 7 hours.

9. 9

   Spoon the finished sweet and sour beef and vegetables into serving bowls, including plenty of the sauce. Serve with cooked white rice or another accompaniment of your choice.

Notes

The beef is browned before slow cooking. The creator serves the dish over white rice and recommends spooning the sauce over the top. Cooking time may be about 4 hours on HIGH or 6–7 hours on LOW.

Nutrition per serving

• main dish
• slow-cooked
• beef
• comfort food
• one-pot
• sweet-and-sour
• gluten-free
• family dinner