Description
Slow Cooker Green Chile Stew is a warm, comforting meal with a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and savory flavors. Made with smoked turkey bacon, fresh vegetables, and natural seasonings, this stew offers a hearty, nutritious bowl with minimal effort. Ideal for busy days, it’s versatile, customizable, and suitable for any season.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Base
- 6 oz smoked turkey bacon, chopped
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
Vegetables and Flavorings
- 2 cups peeled and diced russet potatoes
- 1 cup green chilies (fresh or canned), diced
- 1 cup fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
Spices
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin (natural)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (natural)
Thickening
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Prepare and Sauté the Base: Chop the smoked turkey bacon and sauté it in a large skillet until crisp. Use the rendered fat to sauté the diced onions, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened and fragrant, building a rich flavor foundation for the stew.
- Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Transfer the sautéed vegetables and smoked turkey bacon to the slow cooker. Add peeled and diced potatoes, green chilies, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), ground cumin, and dried oregano (natural). Stir well to combine.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook the stew on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. This method tenderizes the potatoes perfectly and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Thicken and Finish: About 15 minutes before serving, dissolve the cornstarch and natural gelling agent in a small amount of cold water. Stir this slurry into the stew to thicken it into a rich, velvety consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
Notes
- Use fresh green chilies for more vibrant flavor, but canned chilies work well too.
- Don’t skip sautéing the bacon and vegetables to intensify the stew’s flavor.
- Cut potatoes into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Add the cornstarch slurry at the end to avoid over-thickening.
- Customize heat by removing chili seeds or adding diced jalapeños or chipotle powder.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: slow cooker stew, green chile stew, smoked turkey bacon stew, gluten free stew, hearty stew, southwestern stew