Sandy'S Good For You Stew
A hearty, nutritious stew packed with tender beef, fresh vegetables, and bold flavors from red wine and vinegar, perfect for comforting family dinners.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Brown stew beef in a skillet in the olive oil. Add garlic and sauté for a couple of minutes longer. Pour into a large crock pot.
- Brown ground beef in the skillet. Drain and add to the crock pot.
- Add cabbage, carrots, celery, turnips, and onions to the crock pot.
- Pour on the V-8 juice, then add red wine and red wine vinegar.
- Add enough beef bouillon to cover the ingredients.
- Season with salt and pepper and top with bay leaves.
- Cook on high for 4 hours.
- Remove bay leaves, then add zucchini and cook for another hour.
- Add barley and cook for 1 more hour.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using bone-in beef cuts instead of ground beef. You can replace V-8 juice with homemade vegetable juice or tomato juice if desired. Adding herbs like thyme or parsley can enhance the stew's aroma. If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can add a cornstarch slurry towards the end. This stew is versatile and can be adjusted to fit your taste, similar to Mary'S Award Winning Chili.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty stew with crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Simple Swiss Steak for a comforting dinner. Consider a side salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness of the stew. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley for added freshness and color.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze in portions for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. Adding a splash of broth can help restore moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sandy'S Good For You Stew contains roughly 484 calories, with 19g protein, 52g carbohydrates, and 11g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (80% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (58% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (43% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1323mg per serving (58% 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 this stew?
Absolutely! This recipe is quite flexible. Feel free to substitute vegetables based on what's in season or your personal preference. Potatoes, peas, or green beans can work well. Just adjust cooking times accordingly for firmer vegetables.
Is it necessary to brown the meat before adding it to the crock pot?
Browning the meat enhances the flavor and creates a rich base for the stew. However, if you're short on time, you can skip this step and add the raw meat directly to the crock pot; the stew will still be delicious.
Can I make this stew ahead of time?
Yes, this stew is perfect for making ahead. In fact, the flavors often improve after sitting. You can prepare it a day in advance and refrigerate it. Just reheat gently before serving for a quick and satisfying meal.
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).