Guest Stew
A hearty beef stew infused with Italian salad dressing, featuring tender meat, carrots, onions, and mushrooms, perfect for comforting family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. dry Italian salad dressing mix ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 2 lb. stewing beef, cut in pieces ⓘ
- flour ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp. salad oil ⓘ
- 4 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
- 1/2 lb. mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed ⓘ
- water ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix the Italian salad dressing according to package directions.
- Combine 1/4 cup of the salad dressing with soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce.
- Marinate the beef in the sauce for 3 hours.
- Lightly coat the marinated beef with flour.
- Brown the beef in heated salad oil in a heavy skillet.
- Transfer the browned beef to a Dutch oven.
- Top the beef with carrots, onion, and mushrooms.
- Add enough water to just cover the meat and vegetables.
- Cover the Dutch oven and bake in a preheated 300°F oven for 3 hours or until the beef is tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, optionally with cooked rice or noodles.
Tips & Substitutions
For enhanced flavor, consider marinating the beef overnight. If you don't have Italian salad dressing mix, a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and garlic powder can work as a substitute. To thicken the stew, you can add a slurry of cornstarch and water towards the end of cooking. This stew can be a great alternative to Texas Chili Con Carne for a cozy meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Guest Stew hot, ideally with a side of crusty bread or over a bed of rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce. For a complete meal, pair it with a simple green salad. This stew also goes well with the comforting flavors found in Mama Sue's Stew, making it a perfect choice for family gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simmer gently on the stovetop or heat in the microwave until warmed through. If the stew thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Guest Stew contains roughly 520 calories, with 20g protein, 103g carbohydrates, and 6g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin D (297% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (216% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (62% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2869mg per serving (125% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat for this stew?
Yes, you can substitute chicken or pork for the stewing beef, though cooking times may vary. Chicken will cook faster, so adjust the baking time to ensure it's tender and fully cooked. For a vegetarian option, consider using hearty vegetables and beans as a protein source.
What can I do if I don't have salad oil?
If salad oil is unavailable, you can use other oils like olive oil or canola oil for browning the beef. These oils have a high smoke point and will work well in this recipe.
Is it necessary to marinate the beef for this recipe?
While marinating the beef helps to infuse flavor and tenderize the meat, you can skip this step if you're short on time. Just season the beef well before browning, but the marination will enhance the overall taste of the stew.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).