San Antonio Stew
A hearty and flavorful beef stew with vegetables, spicy picante sauce, and thickened gravy, perfect for comforting family dinners and cold evenings.
Ingredients
- 2 lb. boneless beef stew meat ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 (10 1/2 oz.) can condensed beef broth ⓘ
- 1 c. hot water
- 1 (8 oz.) jar picante sauce ⓘ
- 1 medium onion ⓘ
- 1/4 c. chopped parsley ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 2 medium zucchini ⓘ
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 2 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can tomatoes ⓘ
- 3 medium carrots ⓘ
- 2 ears fresh or frozen corn ⓘ
- 1/2 c. cold water ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. flour ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, brown the beef stew meat in hot vegetable oil, half at a time. Return all meat to the Dutch oven.
- Add condensed beef broth, hot water, picante sauce, onion, parsley, salt, cumin, and minced garlic.
- Bring to a boil; reduce heat to simmer.
- Cover and simmer for 1 hour or until the meat is tender.
- Drain the coarsely chopped tomatoes, reserving the juice.
- Add the tomatoes, tomato juice, carrots, corn, and zucchini to the Dutch oven.
- Cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
- In a small bowl, mix cold water with flour until smooth.
- Gradually stir the flour mixture into the stew.
- Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.
- Boil and stir for 1 minute or until the stew thickens.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a bay leaf or a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the stew. If you prefer a spicier kick, opt for a hot picante sauce. You can substitute fresh corn with canned corn if needed, and for a healthier twist, use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes. This stew is versatile and can easily be adapted to include your favorite vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
San Antonio Stew is perfect served with warm cornbread or crusty bread on the side to soak up the delicious broth. A fresh green salad complements the meal nicely, adding a refreshing crunch. For a heartier experience, consider serving it alongside Barbecue Style Meat Loaf to create a filling dinner spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the stew on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If the stew has thickened too much, add a splash of broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of San Antonio Stew contains roughly 987 calories, with 46g protein, 121g carbohydrates, and 50g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (129% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (111% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1837mg per serving (80% 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 use pork or chicken instead of beef stew meat. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly, as chicken will require less time to become tender.
How can I make this stew vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, replace the beef with hearty vegetables like mushrooms or jackfruit, and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. You can also add beans for protein.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes, this stew freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop.
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).