# McCormick Slow Cookers Seasoning Mix, Hearty Beef Stew > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** McCormick - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Cooking & Baking - **Size:** 1.50 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-slow-cookers-seasoning-mix-hearty-beef-stew-150-oz - **Slug:** `mccormick-slow-cookers-seasoning-mix-hearty-beef-stew-150-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains industrial ingredients and additives (hydrolyzed proteins, caramel color, natural flavors, yeast extract, rendered fat) and is a formulated, ready-to-use powdered mix, classifying it as ultra-processed (NOVA 4). ## Review McCormick Slow Cookers Seasoning Mix, Hearty Beef Stew (1.50 oz) is a single-use powdered packet you’ll find in the soup/gravy and seasoning aisle, shelved alongside other slow-cooker mixes, canned broths, and boxed gravy mixes. It’s marketed as a shortcut to a classic American comfort dish: toss cubed beef, root vegetables and water into a slow cooker, add this packet, and let it simmer into a beefy stew. Shoppers pull it for weeknight dinners, busy-family meal planning, or when they want the aroma and nostalgia of simmered stew without hours of effort. The brand positioning is mainstream and convenience-focused — McCormick leans on trusted name recognition and homestyle comfort, targeting busy parents, home cooks who like shortcuts, and those nostalgic for traditional comfort food. The label carries familiar “natural flavor” language but no organic or non-GMO certification; packaging emphasizes ease-of-use rather than wellness claims. Nutrition highlights a low-calorie contribution per serving but a high sodium count (about 570 mg), and ingredient cues (corn starch, hydrolyzed soy protein, rendered beef fat, caramel color, yeast extract) point to industrial formulation rather than whole-food simplicity. In plain terms, it’s a highly processed seasoning mix that uses concentrated flavors and texturizers to recreate a slow-simmered broth. Sensory notes: the dry mix yields a brown, savory, slightly glossy broth thickened by cornstarch, with pronounced umami from hydrolyzed proteins and yeast extract and aromatic hints of paprika, thyme, garlic and onion. The ritual is straightforward — tear, dump, stir, and slow-cook — packaged in a lightweight foil/paper packet meant for one pot and one evening of comfort food. ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 2 - **Servings per container:** 8 - **Calories:** 15 - **Total fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Sodium:** 570mg (25% DV) - **Total carbs:** 3g (1% DV) - **Protein:** 0g ## Ingredients Corn Starch, Salt, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Corn Gluten and Wheat Gluten, Caramel Color, Garlic Powder, Spices (Including Paprika, Celery Seed, Thyme, Black Pepper), Onion Powder, Beef Stock, Chicken Powder, Natural Flavor (Including Barley), Yeast Extract & Rendered Beef Fat. ## Flagged ingredients - **Caramel Color** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** meal-prep-sunday, storm-prep, weeknight-dinner - **Vibes:** comforting, convenient, nostalgic ## FAQ ### Is the Hearty Beef Stew seasoning mix healthy? The Hearty Beef Stew seasoning mix can definitely be part of a balanced diet, especially if you're looking for convenience. With only 15 calories per serving, it's low in calories, but it does have 570mg of sodium, which is something to keep in mind if you're watching your salt intake. So, it’s healthy in the context of quick meals but should be enjoyed in moderation. ### Is the Hearty Beef Stew seasoning mix vegan? Nope, this seasoning mix is not vegan. It contains hydrolyzed soy protein and rendered beef fat, which are derived from animal products. If you're looking for a plant-based option, you might want to explore other seasoning blends that are specifically labeled vegan. ### Is the Hearty Beef Stew seasoning mix gluten-free? Unfortunately, this mix isn't gluten-free. It contains wheat gluten and barley in the natural flavor, which means it’s a no-go for anyone with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. If you're gluten-free, there are plenty of alternative seasonings out there that can give you that hearty flavor without the gluten. ### Does the Hearty Beef Stew seasoning mix contain seed oils? Good news—this seasoning mix does not contain seed oils! Instead, it relies on a blend of spices and beef stock for flavor. Seed oils can sometimes be a concern for those watching their omega-6 intake, so it’s nice to see a product that keeps it simple. ### Does the Hearty Beef Stew seasoning mix contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, no artificial sweeteners here! This mix keeps it real without any added sweeteners, which is great if you're trying to avoid those. It’s all about enhancing the beefy goodness without the sugar rush. ### Is the Hearty Beef Stew seasoning mix high in sugar? This mix is low in sugar, with no added sugars at all. In fact, it has no sugars listed, which makes it a solid choice if you’re trying to keep your sugar intake down. So, you can feel good about adding this to your stew without worrying about a surprise sweetness! ### What are some healthier alternatives to the Hearty Beef Stew seasoning mix? If you're looking for healthier alternatives, consider making your own seasoning blend at home with fresh herbs, spices, and a bit of beef or vegetable broth. You can also find brands that offer organic or lower-sodium options. Just check the labels to ensure they fit your dietary needs! ### Can kids eat the Hearty Beef Stew seasoning mix? Absolutely! Kids can enjoy meals seasoned with this mix, but do keep an eye on the sodium content if you're preparing it for little ones. It can add great flavor to a hearty stew that they’ll likely love, especially on a chilly day! ### Is the Hearty Beef Stew seasoning mix good for weight loss? In small amounts, this seasoning mix can fit into a weight-loss plan, especially since it's low in calories. However, the sodium content is something to be mindful of, as too much sodium can lead to water retention. Pair it with lots of veggies and lean meats for a balanced meal! ### Is the Hearty Beef Stew seasoning mix ultra-processed? While it's not the most natural option out there, I wouldn't exactly call it ultra-processed. It does contain ingredients like hydrolyzed soy protein and caramel color, which are more processed than whole foods, but many people enjoy these mixes for the convenience they offer. It’s all about finding a balance in your diet! ## Related products - [Drogheria and Alimentari Salt Mill, All Natural, Mediterranean](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/la-drogheria-and-alimentari-salt-mill-all-natural-mediterranean-318-oz) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/la-drogheria-and-alimentari-salt-mill-all-natural-mediterranean-318-oz - [Simply Organic Thyme Leaf, Organic, Whole, Fancy Grade](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/simply-organic-thyme-leaf-organic-whole-fancy-grade-078-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/simply-organic-thyme-leaf-organic-whole-fancy-grade-078-oz - [Simply Organic Cardamom](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/simply-organic-cardamom-282-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/simply-organic-cardamom-282-oz - [Truvia Sweet Complete All Purpose](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/truvia-sweet-complete-all-purpose-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/truvia-sweet-complete-all-purpose-16-oz - [Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Flour](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bobs-red-mill-whole-wheat-flour-5-lb) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bobs-red-mill-whole-wheat-flour-5-lb - [McCormick Gourmet Cajun Seasoning](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-gourmet-cajun-seasoning-225-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mccormick-gourmet-cajun-seasoning-225-oz - [Mazola Canola Oil, Cholesterol Free 1 gal](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mazola-canola-oil-cholesterol-free-1-gal-128-oz) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mazola-canola-oil-cholesterol-free-1-gal-128-oz - [Jiffy Muffin Mix, Banana](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/jiffy-muffin-mix-banana-7-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/jiffy-muffin-mix-banana-7-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. Full API access and search: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/skill.md