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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Soups » Witches Brew Stew

Witches Brew Stew

by Sarah Olson on September 11, 2023 41 Comments

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Make this spooky witches brew stew for a fun fall meal. Made with hot sausage and beef and the veggies are skull mushrooms and pumpkin carrots! This recipe tastes like an ultra jazzed-up hamburger soup! Try it this Halloween along with garlic bread and topped with parmesan cheese.

Who doesn’t love a good fall recipe like this stew. We also love to make pumpkin chili , shipwreck stew or Hungarian goulash.

close up of witches brew stew.

How to make Witches Brew Stew in the crockpot:

This recipe came about from a soup I saw from a member in a recipe group on facebook. Her name is Juanita and her soup has adorable carrot pumpkins and she also uses hot sausage in her soup which I think is a wonderful idea. I had to make a variation of it before Halloween and share it with you! If you want to see her version, she calls it “Black Magic Soup”.

We love making this soup for our annual Halloween party. Did you know that a witch is one of the most popular Halloween costumes? It’s second to squid games, which I still need to watch. I’m always the crazy cat lady for Halloween without fail.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for witches brew stew on a table.
  • Hot sausage – I use Jimmy Dean hot breakfast sausage. Please use mild if you do not like spicy foods. Or you can use Italian sausage if desired.
  • Ground Beef – I cook the ground beef and the hot sausage together in the same pan. Crumble then drain off the fat.
  • Vegetables – Carrots, mushrooms, gold potatoes, garlic, leeks and celery.
  • Italian herb seasoning – This is mixture of oregano, marjoram, thyme, savory, rosemary, basil and sage and is found along with the other spices at the store. Use a mixture of what you have at home if you do not have this herb mix.
  • Beef broth
  • Campbell’s Tomato Soup – We use this instead of tomato sauce, has a better flavor
  • Campbell’s French Onion Soup – This is the magic in the soup! Adds a carmelized onion flavor.

Step-by-Step Directions

Six images showing how to start witches brew stew in a slow cooker.

Step One – In a large skillet on the stove top set to medium high heat, add the ground beef and hot breakfast sausage.

Step Two – Cook and crumble, drain off any fat.

Step Three – Add to the slow cooker.

Step Four – For the carrot pumpkins; first make two straight slits for the stem, then cut 2 triangles from the sides of the stem and remove them. Cut into slices and you now have pumpkins!

Step Five – Add the remaining vegetables, pour over the tomato soup and French onion soup. WAIT TO ADD THE MUSHROOMS.

Step Six – Pour over the broth and cook on HIGH For four hours.

Three images showing how to finish witches brew stew in a slow cooker.

Step Seven – For the skull mushrooms; Use a standard sized straw and poke eye holes, the piece you poke out should come out in the straw. Make 2 slits for the nose and I also make slits on the stem of the mushroom, to make it look like a collar.

Step Eight – Then add the mushrooms to the slow cooker and cook for 10 minutes longer. I don’t cook the mushrooms very long so the hold their shape.

Step Nine – Serve and enjoy!

Cooked witches brew stew in a white slow cooker.

What do I serve with this?

  • Garlic bread, cornbread or buttered french bread.
  • Topped with Parmesan or mozzarella cheese.
  • Saltine crackers or oyster crackers.
Stew in a white pumpkin bowl.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different type of meat?

Note that the ground hot sausage really makes this meal hearty and decadent. If you want to use another type of meat the flavor will be altered and you may need to add more salt and seasonings. You can use chicken breasts, ground turkey or kielbasa if desired.

Can I freeze this soup?

Yes! You can freeze this soup before OR after cooking with no issues. Wait to add the mushrooms though if you are freezing before cooking.

Do I have to make shapes with the mushrooms and carrots?

No! If you are short on time, just cut them as usual, will still be a great meal.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes! This can be doubled in a 6 quart or larger crockpot.

Close up of a skull mushroom in witches brew stew.

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Cooked witches brew stew in a white slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Witches Brew Stew

4.95 from 58 votes
A fun soup recipe with fall and Halloween inspired veggie cut-outs. Made with ground beef and hot breakfast sausage.
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Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 312kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 lb. hot breakfast sausage I use Jimmy Dean (use original if you don't like spicy)
  • 3-4 large carrots sliced then cut into pumpkin shapes
  • 2 cups small diced gold potatoes
  • 3 celery ribs diced
  • 1 cup diced leeks (1 large leek)
  • 1 tsp. minced garlic
  • 1 Tbsp. Italian herb seasoning This is found with the other spices at the store. It has oregano, marjoram, savory, thyme, basil, rosemary and sage. If you do not have this, use a mixture of what you do have.
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 10.5 oz. Campbell's Condensed French Onion Soup
  • 10.5 oz. Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup
  • 1.5 cups water
  • 32 oz. box beef broth
  • 10 mushrooms (cut in half, then skull face cut into it, see directions)
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • NOTE- wait to add the mushrooms until the end of cooking time.
    In a large skillet on the stove top set to medium high heat, brown the ground beef and sausage together. Crumble and drain off fat. Add to the slow cooker.
  • For the carrot pumpkins; first make two straight slits for the stem, then cut 2 triangles from the sides of the stem and remove them. Cut them into slices and add to the slow cooker.
  • Add the remaining ingredients EXCEPT for the mushrooms.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker.
  • Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours.
  • When the cooking time is near done. Prepare the mushrooms. Cut them down the middle length wise, making them each into two pieces. Use a straw to poke out the eyes and use a knife to make two slits for a nose. I also make slits on the stem.
  • Add the mushrooms to the slow cooker after the cooking time is done. Let the mushrooms cook for 10 minutes along with the rest of the soup. I add the mushrooms at the end of the cooking time so they will keep their shape.
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How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

Can I use a different kind of meat?
Note that the ground hot sausage really makes this meal hearty and decadent. If you want to use another type of meat the flavor will be altered and you may need to add more salt and seasonings. You can use chicken breasts, ground turkey or kielbasa if desired.
Can I freeze this soup? 
You can freeze this soup before OR after cooking with no issues. Wait to add the mushrooms though if you are freezing before cooking.
Can I double this recipe?
This can be doubled in a 6 quart or larger slow cooker.
Short on time?
You do not need to cut the carrots or mushrooms into shapes, it will still be a great meal.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 1095mg | Potassium: 981mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3419IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

More slow cooker soup and stew recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup
  • Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup
  • Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew
  • Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup
  • Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
  • Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
  • Slow Cooker Split Pea Stew

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    239179 shares
    • 20576

    Filed Under: Beef, Soups

    Comments

    1. Carla says

      September 15, 2023 at 4:16 pm

      The soup looks yummy! Where did you get the pumpkin shaped soup bowls? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 15, 2023 at 4:27 pm

        Pottery Barn!

        Reply
    2. Mikestice says

      September 15, 2023 at 1:21 pm

      5 stars
      Interesting. What more can I say?

      Reply
    3. Chelsea says

      August 8, 2023 at 4:46 pm

      Would using Russet potatoes instead of Golden potatoes change the flavor?

      Reply
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