Slow Cooker Cajun Beef Hotpot (Printable Version)
# What You’ll Need:
01 -
125g finely diced smoked bacon lardons
02 -
2 peppers, finely diced (1 red, 1 green)
03 -
1 medium white onion, finely diced
04 -
1 stalk of celery, finely diced
05 -
3 cloves of garlic, finely diced
06 -
500g lean ground/minced beef (5% fat)
07 -
400g can of crushed tomatoes
08 -
400g can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained
09 -
3 tbsp tomato puree
10 -
1 beef Oxo/bouillon cube, crumbled
11 -
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
12 -
1 tsp smoked paprika
13 -
1/4 tsp salt
14 -
1/4 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
15 -
400g baby potatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
16 -
150g grated cheddar cheese
17 -
Sour cream, optional for serving
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Add the bacon to a large pan and heat over medium. Gently fry until crisp and fat is rendered down. Transfer the bacon to a 3.5L slow cooker, leaving the fat in the pan.
02 -
Increase heat to medium-high and add the peppers, onion, celery, and garlic to the pan. Fry until softened and lightly colored, sweating out moisture. Transfer to the slow cooker.
03 -
Add the ground beef to the pan and fry until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Combine with the ingredients in the slow cooker.
04 -
Add the crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato puree, crumbled beef bouillon cube, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well and level the top.
05 -
Arrange potato slices over the filling in an overlapping pattern. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for 3.5 hours or LOW for 7 hours, until potatoes are tender.
06 -
Remove the lid and sprinkle grated cheddar over the potatoes. Replace the lid and cook for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
07 -
Serve hot with sour cream, if desired, and enjoy.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Frying the vegetables helps develop flavor and prevents the filling from becoming watery.
02 -
Use 5% lean ground beef to avoid excessive oil on the surface of the dish.
03 -
Choosing a moderately spicy Cajun seasoning ensures balanced heat.
04 -
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a few days or frozen for long-term storage.