Mama Sue'S Stew
Mama Sue's Stew is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring tender beef, potatoes, carrots, and peas, perfect for comforting family meals and cold evenings.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 Tbsp. oil ⓘ
- 2 lb. stew meat ⓘ
- 1/2 garlic clove, chopped ⓘ
- 1 onion, chopped ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. flour ⓘ
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire ⓘ
- 1 tsp. rosemary ⓘ
- 1 tsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 4 cubes beef bouillon ⓘ
- 4 cups water ⓘ
- 4 cups potatoes, cubed ⓘ
- 2 cups carrots, sliced ⓘ
- 1 cup celery, sliced ⓘ
- 1 cup frozen English peas ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot and add the stew meat, browning it on all sides.
- Add chopped onion and garlic to the pot, sprinkle flour over the mixture, and stir occasionally over low heat.
- Pour in 2 cups of water, then add salt, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, black pepper, and beef bouillon cubes. Stir well.
- Add the remaining 2 cups of water, cover the pot, and cook on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the meat is tender.
- Add cubed potatoes, sliced carrots, and sliced celery to the stew, adding a little more water if necessary, and cook for an additional 30-45 minutes.
- Stir in frozen English peas at the end of cooking and cook for a few minutes until heated through.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider marinating the stew meat in Worcestershire sauce and rosemary overnight. If you're out of beef bouillon, you can substitute with beef broth or stock. Feel free to add herbs like thyme or bay leaves for additional flavor. If you want a thicker stew, mash some of the potatoes before adding them to the pot.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Mama Sue's Stew with crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a hearty meal. A side salad with a light vinaigrette balances the richness of the stew. This dish pairs beautifully with Old Fashion Stuffed Cabbage for a comforting dinner spread. Enjoy with a glass of red wine to enhance the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover stew can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water if it has thickened too much. You can also reheat in the microwave, stirring occasionally for even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mama Sue'S Stew contains roughly 1879 calories, with 21g protein, 162g carbohydrates, and 134g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (135% of the Daily Value), and potassium (92% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2062mg per serving (90% 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 different vegetables in the stew?
Absolutely! While potatoes, carrots, and celery are traditional, you can substitute or add vegetables like green beans, parsnips, or bell peppers based on your preference or what you have on hand.
Is it possible to make this stew in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Brown the meat and sauté the onions and garlic first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the meat is tender.
How can I make this stew spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños. You can also use a spicier variety of black pepper or add a splash of hot sauce to the stew while it simmers.
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).