Slow Cooker Witches Brew Stew Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Witches Brew Stew is a fun and flavorful Halloween-inspired dish perfect for cozy fall evenings. Packed with hearty beef, sausage, and colorful vegetables shaped like pumpkins and spooky mushrooms, it’s as festive as it is delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 lb. hot breakfast sausage (use original if you prefer less spicy)
• 3-4 large carrots (sliced then cut into pumpkin shapes)
• 2 cups small diced gold potatoes
• 3 celery ribs (diced)
• 1 cup diced leeks (about 1 large leek)
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp. Italian herb seasoning
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 10.5 oz. Campbell’s Condensed French Onion Soup
• 10.5 oz. Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup
• 1.5 cups water
• 32 oz. box beef broth
• 10 mushrooms (cut in half, then carved with skull faces as described)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and hot sausage together. Crumble the meat and drain off any fat. Transfer the cooked meat to the slow cooker.
2. Step 2: Prepare the carrot pumpkins by first making two straight slits for the stem, then cutting two triangles from the sides of the stem and removing them. Slice the carrots into rounds and add them to the slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Add the diced potatoes, celery, leeks, minced garlic, Italian herb seasoning, salt, pepper, French onion soup, tomato soup, water, and beef broth to the slow cooker, leaving out the mushrooms.
4. Step 4: Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours.
5. Step 5: Near the end of the cooking time, prepare the mushrooms by cutting each one in half lengthwise. Use a straw to poke out “eyes” and a knife to make two slits for the “nose.” You can also make slits on the mushroom stems for added detail.
6. Step 6: Add the carved mushrooms to the slow cooker and cook for an additional 10 minutes to let them soften while retaining their shape.

Tips & Variations

• Use mild sausage if you prefer less heat or substitute with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
• For an even spookier touch, use black olives to create eyes on the mushroom faces.
• Carve different shapes on carrot slices, like ghosts or bats, to mix things up.
• If you don’t have leeks, substitute with extra celery or onions.

Storage

Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. The mushroom decorations may soften over time but the flavors will remain delicious.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this stew without the sausage?

Yes, you can omit the sausage and use all ground beef or substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a milder, leaner stew.

How can I make the mushroom faces easier?

Using a small straw for the eyes and a small paring knife for the nose slits makes carving quick and simple. Practice on one mushroom first to get comfortable with the technique.

Slow Cooker Witches Brew Stew Recipe

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This Slow Cooker Witches Brew Stew is a hearty and festive Halloween-themed stew featuring ground beef, spicy breakfast sausage, autumn vegetables shaped like pumpkins, and spooky mushroom ‘skull faces.’ Slow-cooked to perfection, this stew combines the rich flavors of beef broth, condensed soups, and Italian herbs for a comforting and fun meal.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours (High) or 8 hours (Low) plus 10 minutes for mushrooms
• Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes (High) or 8 hours 30 minutes (Low)
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Stew
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 lb. hot breakfast sausage (Jimmy Dean original if preferred less spicy)

Vegetables

• 3–4 large carrots (sliced then cut into pumpkin shapes)
• 2 cups small diced gold potatoes
• 3 celery ribs (diced)
• 1 cup diced leeks (from 1 large leek)
• 10 mushrooms (cut in half, then carved with skull face designs)
• 1 tsp. minced garlic

Seasonings

• 1 Tbsp. Italian herb seasoning
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper

Liquids and Soups

• 10.5 oz. Campbell’s Condensed French Onion Soup
• 10.5 oz. Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup
• 1.5 cups water
• 32 oz. box beef broth

Instructions

1. Brown the Meats: In a large skillet over medium-high heat on the stovetop, brown the ground beef and hot breakfast sausage together. Crumble them thoroughly and drain off any excess fat. Transfer the cooked meats into the slow cooker.
2. Prepare Carrot Pumpkins: Using the sliced carrots, make two straight slits at one end to create a stem shape. Then cut out two triangles from the sides of the stem and remove them to form a pumpkin shape. Add these carrot pumpkins into the slow cooker.
3. Add Remaining Ingredients (Except Mushrooms): Add the diced gold potatoes, diced celery, diced leeks, minced garlic, Italian herb seasoning, salt, pepper, Campbell’s French Onion Soup, Campbell’s Tomato Soup, water, and beef broth into the slow cooker with the meats and carrot pumpkins. Stir gently to combine.
4. Cook the Stew: Place the lid securely on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to become tender.
5. Prepare Mushroom Skulls: Near the end of the cooking time, prepare the mushroom ‘skulls’ by cutting each mushroom lengthwise in half. Use a straw to poke out the eyes and a knife to make two slits for the nose. Additional slits can be added on the stem area for effect.
6. Add Mushrooms to Slow Cooker: After the main cooking time is complete, add the prepared mushrooms to the slow cooker. Allow them to cook with the stew for an additional 10 minutes to retain their shape and texture.

Notes

• Adding mushrooms at the end of cooking prevents them from becoming too soft and helps them maintain their shape for the decorative skull effect.
• Use mild or original sausage if you want to reduce spiciness.
• The pumpkin-shaped carrots add a festive visual element perfect for Halloween meals.
• This stew can be served with crusty bread or over cooked rice for a complete meal.

Keywords: slow cooker stew, Halloween stew, witches brew recipe, beef and sausage stew, spooky mushroom stew, festive fall stew