2-Quart Slow Cooker Sausage Stew

A rustic Slow Cooker Sausage Stew for two is the perfect comfort food meal for a chilly night.  Made in a 2-quart slow cooker it's just enough for two or three servings. The sausage stew cooks up in under 3 hours and is even better the next day.

Jump to:

• Ingredients Notes and Substituitions
• Recipe Directions
• What to serve with the stew
• Can I make this stew on the stovetop?
• What is another type of Beans can I use?
• 📖 Recipe

Ingredients Notes and Substituitions

All of the ingredients used have a longer storage life so a great recipe to add to your emergency pantry ist.

• Sausages - Another fully cooked option is the Aidells Cajun-style sausage.  Aidells makes a variety of flavors so you can fine-tune the stew to fit your personal taste. I've also used a Kielbasa that tasted great. Sometimes I make this with pre-cooked Chicken breast and thighs or substitute a Chicken Apple Sausage or Aidells meatballs.
• Tomatoes - Use a low sodium version of canned diced tomatoes. Drain and rinse lightly. If you use a fresh tomato they absolutely MUST be ripe and flavorful.
• Fresh Garlic - Your option is of course freshly chopped garlic cloves, or a chunky garlic paste like to ones from Gourmet Garden is good alternative.
• Dried Thyme - If you have an herb garden it's okay to substitute with a couple of fresh sprigs.
• Chicken Broth - Just go with a canned low sodium organic chicken broth unless you have homemade on hand.
• Great Nothern Beans - These creamy beans are easy to find in the grocery store or you can substitute Cannellini beans which are white kidney beans. This recipe uses only canned beans.

Recipe Directions

I always start by preheating the slow cooker while preparing the ingredients.

1. In a small skillet saute the sausages, onion, and garlic just until fragrant, about 2 minutes. You can skip this step and put everything directly in the slow cooker, but I like added flavor the saute adds to the stew. Add the sausage mixture to the bottom of a 2-quart slow cooker.
2. .Add the beans, tomatoes, chicken broth, and optional red pepper flakes.
3. Stir to combine the ingredients. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours.
4. Add the dried thyme and continue cooking for another 30 minutes.

Check out the web story for my Slow Cooker Sausage and Bean Stew recipe.

What to serve with the stew

A simple rustic bread or homemade cornbread goes well with the sausage stew. A small green salad also compliments the meal perfectly.

Also really great rolled up in a flour tortilla or served over rice with sliced avocado.

Can I make this stew on the stovetop?

Yes, you can, put all the ingredients into a smaller dutch oven or heavy saucepan and cook on low for about an hour. Make sure to stir to avoid burning. You also should increase the amount of liquid.

What is another type of Beans can I use?

Any canned white bean is great with this stew. Cannellini and Great Northern are my two favorite bean varieties to use in this stewrecipe.

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