Sweet-Sour Stew
A hearty sweet-sour stew featuring tender beef, carrots, and potatoes in a flavorful tangy sauce—perfect for comforting family dinners and those who enjoy bold, balanced flavors.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup flour ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- Dash of pepper ⓘ
- 2 pounds stew meat, cubed ⓘ
- 1/4 cup shortening ⓘ
- 6 large carrots, cut in 3/4-inch pieces ⓘ
- 3 to 4 potatoes, diced
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1/2 cup ketchup ⓘ
- 1/4 cup brown sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 cup vinegar ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a plastic or paper bag.
- Add stew meat; shake to coat evenly.
- In a large skillet, brown the coated meat well in hot shortening.
- In a bowl, mix water, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and optional salt.
- Add onion to the sauce mixture if desired.
- Stir the browned meat into the sauce mixture.
- Cover and cook over low heat for 45 minutes, stirring once or twice.
- Add carrots and potatoes to the stew.
- Cook for an additional 45 minutes or until meat and vegetables are tender.
Tips & Substitutions
For a thicker stew, you can use cornstarch instead of flour or add a bit more flour to the mixture. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, increase the brown sugar or add a splash of apple juice. Feel free to substitute stew meat with chicken or turkey for a lighter dish. Adding a bay leaf during cooking can enhance the stew's flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Sweet-Sour Stew with crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a heartier meal. It pairs beautifully with Grandma'S Slaw for a refreshing crunch. For a complete dinner, consider serving it alongside a simple green salad or roasted vegetables to balance the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the stew on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish, covered, for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sweet-Sour Stew contains roughly 1819 calories, with 8g protein, 77g carbohydrates, and 168g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (38% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 849mg per serving (37% 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 other vegetables in this stew?
Absolutely! Feel free to add or substitute with vegetables like peas, green beans, or bell peppers. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time as needed, especially for quicker-cooking veggies.
Can I prepare this stew in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can! After browning the meat, transfer it to a slow cooker along with the sauce and vegetables. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until everything is tender.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make this Sweet-Sour Stew gluten-free, substitute regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch. Ensure all sauces, like Worcestershire sauce, are gluten-free as well, and check labels for any hidden gluten.
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).