Bachelor's Stew

I was searching for a great stew recipe and can stop looking! I just loved this stew! I was just licking my chops the entire meal. I looked through the reviews first and also made a few changes to it. I only added 1 can of tomato soup and substituted with a bit of water. Instead of tapioca I added 2 medium potatoes. I also added a touch of garlic powder to the bread crumb mixture. I was a bit more liberal with the soy sauce and also added a touch of Worchestershire. When it was ready (just over 10 hours) I wanted the broth a bit thicker so I took out 3/4 cup of the broth and added some cornstarch. I then put the stew on high to get it bubbling and then I added the cornstarch mixture back in. Next time I'll do that a bit earlier. It was just lovely. Seems like I made a lot of changes but to me, they were only minor. YUM!!!!

Don't be afraid to use tapioca in this or any beef stew. The tapioca is a THICKENER - it doesn't have anything to do with the flavor. This is a wonderful beef stew recipe and it makes plenty! I would give it 10 stars if only the nice people at allrecipes would let me! =)

I tried this for the first time today and it came out great. I omitted the tapioca but added a couple of cubed potatoes. My husband picked out the mushrooms but overall gave it two thumbs up. I served homemade biscuits with the stew for a very hearty meal. Thanks for sharing this great recipe.

This was surprisingly good. 10-12 hours is way too long. I think 6-8 would be adequate. I started mine on low for a few hours, cranked it up to high for about 2 hours and then back to low for 1 hour. My meat was a little tough but flavor was good. I'll make this again.

Unless you like stew that is on the sweet side, I wouldn't recommend this recipe. I would suggest using canned whole or stewed tomatoes instead of canned tomato soup and leave out the tapioca...made it very sweet instead of tangy. I also added potatoes and some bay leaves for extra flavor. Very easy and simple to make. Perfect recipe to freeze and reheat for a last-minute dinner.

Intially, I wasn't so sure but after a few bites, I really liked the taste. Very unique and I'd be impressed if any bachelor made this for me. Different from all the other stews I've had before. My family also liked this and I'll be sure its on the dinner table again in the future! Thanks!!

I reviewed this a couple of years ago and have read some of the more recent entries. I still keep coming back to this recipe over and over. Everything I had tried up until then for a beef dish in the crock pot turned out to be the same. The tomato soup really added something different. I do still add the tapioca but wouldn't mind trying the barley as someone else mentioned. I added some potatoes to the original recipe as well. I've changed it a little over the years but not by much such as adding 2 cups of beef broth for example. It was a great recipe to happen upon and can be changed to fit your own tastes etc.

Great recipe for a cold winter day. I added potatoes and stewed tomatoes. My kids rated this meal an 8 on the 1-10 scale. I would recommend this recipe to my friends and family.

I thought this recipes was excellent. I did, however, omit the tapioca...and I also added potatos and fresh garlic. It was quite yummy, had a real different flavor!

I thought this was a great tasty recipe. It was easy and great meal for families on the go.

This is a great stew;however, I know why it is called Bachelor's stew. I figured out that the bachelor who made it didn't want to take time to peel some potato's to put in it. Add some potatos and you have a five star stew. Maybe the name could be changed to Irish Bachelor's Stew.

Wonderful Recipe!!!! I made it exactly as stated with one accidental change..... I used Jello brand tapioca instead of real tapioca..... IT TURNED out WONDERFUL. I made it for halloween so everone could have some when they showed up. I served it over egg noodles, and my parents, inlaws and kids all had several helpings.

I made so many changes that I had to reduce to 4 stars. I use potatoes instead of tapioca, terriyaki sauce instead of soy, one bigger can of ready-to-eat tomato soup instead of the condensed, add worcesterchire sauce and red wine, and skip the onions and mushrooms. My family loves it. Sometimes I serve in in mini bread bowls.

This was just fair. I thought the tomato soup overpowered with a preserved flavor. I needed to add 2 1/2 cups of beef broth to eliminate the gelatinous texture. Also agree with other reviewers, this needed potatoes or barley. On the plus side, the beef was very tender. Likely won't make this again.

I have been making this recipe for years and realized I've never rated it and my family has enjoyed it so much. I use potatoes instead of tapioca, leave out the mushrooms (not my choice) and probably add a little more soy sauce. I'm not sure though since I've made it so many times I don't measure anymore. Thank you for a great recipe and the only way I make stew.

always turns out perfect with such little effort. cook it as long as you can, it gets even more delicious when the meat is verrry tender.

Very good. I followed the recipe except that i used minced beef.

Not my favorite stew, but it was good. Can't beat how easy it is - crock pots are God's gifts to moms and dads.

Super easy recipe. A little bland.

My family basically. Killed this ;-) Following basic instructions and ingredients to a T with the exception of not having beef chuck, I had Pork Stew meat to use and this recipe compliments using such ingredient. The only suggestion in using pork stew meat, is to cut out the salt out, as I have found out. But it was a fabulous...and so we thought. I can't say anything negative. Meat was nice and tender, the veggies were succulant, the over all flavor was comforting and soothing to the soul. This is a total keeper in my house. I nearly doubled the recipe but chose not to and it easily feed family with no leave overs. TY.

the texture from the tapioca was a bit much and it just wasn't a hit in my house.

This makes a nice, thick stew. It was a little bit too tomato-soupy for me, so I think next time I will replace one can of the tomato soup with more beef broth. Still it was delicious, and fairly easy to throw together. (Be sure to make some potatoes, rice, or noodles to serve with it.)

I was very impressed with how easy and tasty this recipe was. My Husband and I loved it and I will definatly be making this again. I changed a couple of things also...I added two medium potatoes instead of the tapioca and about a cup of frozen peas to the recipe. I also ommited one of the cans of tomatoe soup and instead added a cup of water. It turned out pretty much perfect for flavor and thickness. LOVED IT!!!

My husband loved it and doesn't want me to make any other stew. I did add more spices and also potatoes and red and green peppers. Will keep making this stew.

I tried to elimate the over powering tomato taste by adding sausage (rookwurst), more beef stock powder, thickened it with cornflour and ate it with rice. The kids loved it (especially the sausage!!!)

This was very good! I substituted instant potato flakes for the tapioca and added grean beans and corn. It was yummy on a cold snowy day!

I am not sure what I missed- all the reviews said this was so good and I just thought it was... okay. Its just stew- I felt like there were a lot of extra ingredients for what turned out to just be a regular stew. Probably won't make again... thanks anyway.

I liked this and my husband loved it. I used barley instead of tapioca. Thickened the sauce and added some body to the stew.

This is a great recipe, but would have been much better with potatoes!

This is a sure winner! I took it to work in my crockpot to share with everyone -- they all raved about the delicious taste. The only change I made was adding a can of italian style diced tomatoes for depth of flavor. Next time I will add a couple of cubed potatoes for more sustance. This one is a keeper for sure. Thanks Corwynn for sharing it with us all.

My husband likes very lean beef, so we used a "mock tenderloin" cut up into cubes. I did brown the meat the night before. I only had one can of tomato soup...so I threw in a little extra water. It turned out great! I thought the gravy it made was delicious. I used small pearl tapioca because it was cheaper but next time I will use the finer ground up kind...I think it would be more appetizing. Thanks for a wonderful easy recipe.

Very tasty Recipe! I used 1 lb of beef stew meat, omitted the bread crumbs & added barley instead of the tapioca. Definitely a keeper.

Loved this easy stew. I left out the mushrooms entirely and threw in some baked potato chunks for the last half hour or so. Even my sister-in-law, who rarely eats red meat, loved this recipe enough to ask for it. My brother is very happy...

I WOULD RATHER HAVE STEW WITH A BROWN GRAVY BASE. TOO MUCH TOMATOE FOR ME.

Intially, I wasn't so sure but after a few bites, I really liked the taste. Very unique and I'd be impressed if any bachelor made this for me. Different from all the other stews I've had before. My family also liked this and I'll be sure its on the dinner table again in the future! Thanks!!

This came out delicious and I have made it several times!

This was very good.After getting home from work, I did partially cook a few potatoes and add them to the stew.

Excellent and easy. I used regular stew meat and 1 can of whole mushrooms. Next time I will add a few potatoes but only because my husband missed haaving them. Great flavors.

This wa very easy to make and very yummy!! It really heps when you have a big family and you have to work...

Easy to make and taste amazing. I added some polish sausage to it and makes a great Tailgate stew...

It's quick, it's relatively inexpensive and I actually like the texture of the tapioca but something about this burns the back of my throat. It is uncomfortable going down. I think it's all the tomato soup and soy sauce maybe? I was pretty bummed because otherwise all those flavors together should have been pretty tasty... Makes a lot, was done in perfect timing after a long work day, just not that perfect bite.

This recipe has a wonderful taste and is very easy to prepare. This recipe is sure become one of our regular meals!

Not bad! Kids liked it. Thought the tapioca was strange and would not use as much next tme.

I added potatoes and left out the tapioca. Overall, it was pretty good.

Once you get the ingredients, it's great. I have friends who beg me to make it for them.

I love this!! This is even good for leftovers. I serve this with noodles.

This was really good. I didn't add the Tapioca but it still tasted great. I will be making this one again.

Wonderfully easy and really good. Definitely a "keeper", glad I tried it.

easy recipe ...but kind of bland

Great tasting stew! Very hearty. I served it over lumpy mashed potatoes and it was a hit with my family. Will make this recipe again.

This recipe is fantastic! It is quick and easy to prepare nd tastes delicious! For bachelors or andybody on-the-go, set this up in the morning and come home to a hearty, nutritious and delicious meal!

Very tasty stew!!! I am a beginner cook and the family loved it!!!! Tastes really good with sweet corn bread!

We really liked this recipe! It was easy and I like the fact that it can cook while I am at work. I made at quadruple batch for a potluck at church and it was the only entree to be completely eaten with rave reviews from everyone! I'm making it again for guests tomorrow.

I made this with round steak and served it over rice. My kids, instead of the usual "It's OK" said, "This is WONderful!". And I agree.

This stew definately needed potatoes to help it along, but even then, it just wasn't worth the effort. My family didn't care for its flavor.

This recipe is so easy and sooo good, you'd be a fool to pass it by! Try it once...you'll be hooked!

My family loved this. It was easy to put together in the morning before work, and simple to serve after work. My whole family thought it was excellent

Tired of all those brothy or cream of mushroom stews? Then you gotta try this recipe! I made it as is and it is wonderful!! Great change, easy to make and hearty taste. My boyfriend couldn't get enough of his and complimented me on it all night! Don't be scared of the tapioca (I admit- I was too) because it adds great flavor! Great recipe Corwynn!

I added some cubed potatoes and it was wonderful

My family loved this. I added some potato and left out the mushrooms. Next time I will add some peas.

My family really didn't like this recipe at all. I followed it to the T. I liked it myself but the others didn't maybe I'll try potatoes instead of tapioca.

Did not like at all. Would not recommend.

Great flavor, but maybe a bit too thin - I think a little more tapioca would fix that though?

This is my go-to beef stew! The original recipe which I had found in an ancient slow-cooker cookbook called for kitchen bouquet instead of soy sauce and didn't specify what type of onion to use, but otherwise it's the same. Anyone who is complaining about the stew being too sweet should pay attention to the type of tapioca they're using. Do *not* use instant tapioca pudding! Find "Quick cooking tapioca" which is sold in a box as a dry powder and can be found at nearly any grocery store (I buy mine from Kroger). This tapioca has a very neutral flavor and is used to thicken the broth rather than flavor.

over-all very nice recipe. I added diced potatoes to make a complete meal. tapioca worked fine as a thickener....just be sure to cook the entire 10 to 12 hours.

This recipe was not bad. I would make it again but next time I will use diced tomatoes instead of the soup. It had too much of a canned taste, it is also incredibly thick. The tapioca would be the perfect thickener then. I also used fresh mushrooms.

Followed the recipe and opted for the longer ten hour low setting, it was perfect the meat was tender and not very thick sauce. Next time I would add more vegetables or potatoes.

Delicious. I always add 3 or 4 Yukon Gold potatoes to this.

My boyfriend loved it so did I

Have made many times. We love it! I add about 24 of the real small baby Red, Blue and White potatoes, cut in half. I don't use celery (bleh) and everything I add is no salt added, so instead of salt when mixing the meat I use a very small amount of celery salt. I use 1 can of Tomato soup, 1 can stewed tomatoes and a mostly drained can of diced tomatoes. That is the only changes I make except I steam the potatoes and baby carrots in microwave steamer for 3 mins. and then add as its easier for dad to eat them.

The flavour is overpoweringly that of the tomato soup. Not particularly bad, but too sweet for me, it felt like eating stew made from ketchup. I prefer more savoury.