Summertime Stew
A vibrant, hearty summer stew featuring fresh corn, tomatoes, and ground beef, perfect for warm weather gatherings and casual family dinners.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1 1/2 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. ground oregano ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, minced ⓘ
- 1 garlic clove, minced ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 4 c. raw corn, cut off cob ⓘ
- 2 c. peeled, chopped fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes ⓘ
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- dash of freshly ground pepper ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt butter or margarine over medium heat.
- Add minced onion and garlic; cook until softened.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in ground oregano, green pepper, sugar, salt, and freshly ground pepper.
- Add chopped tomatoes and cook until slightly thickened.
- Stir in raw corn and Worcestershire sauce.
- Add tomato sauce or a small amount of water as desired to adjust consistency.
- Simmer the stew for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot, garnished with additional herbs if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. If fresh corn is unavailable, frozen corn works well. For added flavor, consider incorporating spices like smoked paprika or cumin. You can also add beans for extra protein and fiber. Make sure to taste and adjust the salt and pepper before serving to enhance the dish's flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This Summertime Stew is delicious served with crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a hearty meal. Pair it with a fresh green salad or grilled vegetables for a complete dinner. It also goes well with cornbread for a comforting touch. Consider garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or basil for an added burst of flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the stew has thickened too much. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Summertime Stew contains roughly 901 calories, with 40g protein, 186g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (532% of the Daily Value), iron (104% of the Daily Value), and protein (80% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 918mg per serving (40% 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 canned corn instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use canned corn as a convenient substitute. Just drain and rinse it before adding it to the stew. However, using fresh or frozen corn will give a sweeter and crunchier texture, enhancing the overall dish.
How can I make this stew vegetarian?
To make this stew vegetarian, simply replace the ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative or swap it with diced vegetables such as zucchini, mushrooms, or eggplant. You can also add lentils for protein and a hearty texture without losing flavor.
What can I serve with this stew?
This stew pairs beautifully with crusty bread or over fluffy rice for a filling meal. You can also enjoy it alongside a simple green salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness of the stew. For a comforting touch, serve it with cornbread.
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).