Hi, Does anyone have a really good beef stew recipe for a slow cooker??
I am just learning how to cook. Do you have to brown the meat before putting
It in the slow cooker?? I feel like an idiot, Please help...

A really, really simple, dumbed-down version is to use the seasoning packets you can find at the grocery store (on the spice aisle). Just use any veggies you want in your stew (carrots, potatoes, onion, etc), add the stew beef (uncooked), and the seasoning packets mixed with water. Very easy!

Here's a link to a site that has recipes for just about everything. Many of them are very simple and good for a new cook like yourself: All recipes – complete resource for recipes and cooking tips (http://allrecipes.com/)

Jillian has some good ideas and I would defnitely brown the meat first otherwise it looks anemic in the water you have to use in the slow cooker (or beef bouillon is better).

Coating the meat in flour and then browning it makes all the difference in the world for it to taste like beef stew as opposed to tasting like a roast flavor.

I always brown mine as well... I put the flour in a bowl, then add black pepper, mix it together... then coat the meat and brown. I know that is the only way to do it because my grandma said so... Ha it is very good
Mike