Can I Pre-Assemble Beef Stew in My Slow Cooker Overnight?

[AJPratt]

Can I assemble everything tonight in my slow cooker (meat, potatoes, carrots, celery), keep it in the refrigerator and cook it in the AM? Or should I just turn it on tonight?

 

[babywings76]

Make it ahead, keep it in the fridge and then put it on in the morning. If you do it tonight, it'll be ready tomorrow probably a lot earlier than you'd like to eat.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

You can never cook beef stew too long or too slow ... that said ... tomorrow should be fine. I've thought of doing my beef stew this way ... pressure cooker is 4 qt. and I LOVE doing dumplings with it ... so fill my slow cooker instead and make the dumplings the next day ... YUM! Next time I go shopping I'm doing this for sure!

 

[AJPratt]

Thanks! Good ideas!I have to head out to work at 2pm, so I would love to be able to take it with me. instead of eating later. I have to figure out the timing in my head, and that's no easy feat! LOL

 

[lkbcovington]

I have heard you're not technically supposed to do this (mixing the meats and veggies together before cooking). That said, I do this all the time with my slow cooker for all sorts of dishes. I figure the temp is getting high enough to kill any nasties anyways, so I'm not sure what the problem is. So far, no problems or illness has resulted from this method. If I didn't do this, I wouldn't use my slow cooker nearly as much since I'm not a morning person and the last thing I want to do is get up earlier to cut up veggies and assemble the dish.