Can this be made in under 30 minutes?

Yes, the recipe is designed to be quick and efficient.

Does it work for meal prep?

Most versions store well for one to three days.

Yes, simple swaps can be made for convenience or dietary needs.

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In a skillet, cook the turkey bacon until crispy. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
In the rendered turkey bacon fat, brown the beef cubes in batches. Remove and place in the crockpot.
In the same skillet, sauté the onion and carrots for about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
Transfer the sautéed onion, carrots, and garlic to the crockpot.
Add beef broth, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, thyme, bay leaves, and the cooked turkey bacon. Stir to combine.
Season with salt and pepper.
Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.
In the last hour of cooking, add the mushrooms.
Remove bay leaves before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Trim the beef and dice vegetables the night before to save prep time. Leftovers taste even better after a day.