Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe

In a gallon-size zipper-sealed plastic bag, combine flour, salt and pepper. Add beef stew meat, and toss to coat well.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches on all sides (you don't have to cook it, just brown the outside). Transfer beef to the Crockpot.

Add soda to skillet, scraping up the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet with a spatula (they provide great flavor to your beef stew). Let soda simmer until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Pour over the meat in the slow cooker.

Add remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir, cover, and cook on low 4-6 hours, until the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender. Note: The newer slow cookers tend to cook much faster than the older ones, so if you have a new slower cooker, check the beef stew at 4 hours to see if it's done.

Just before serving, taste the beef stew, and adjust the seasonings.