Italian Stew

This Meat or Vegetable Italian Stew is done in several different ways, using this same recipe.

One is using a big stew pot on the stovetop, slow cooker or even pressure cooker.

Then meats can be added with vegetables or using just vegetables, using any of those three methods of cooking.

Here are two big pots of stew bursting with an amazing flavor both ways!

Guess what you can adapt this to any way your family likes when it comes to ingredients.

Even though this is done with tomatoes and Italian style, the alternative using brown gravy style is included below.

Green beans, carrots, peppers, zucchini, potatoes anything goes in the pot.

All leftovers are welcome in mom's stew.

Clean out that refrigerator and repurpose leftovers into a brand new meal!

Stew is called stew because anything can go in it right?

So there is no right or wrong, make it the way your family grew up on.

I love all her varieties on making stews, a favorite she made was mushroom stew, a burgundy and her famous lamb stew all were fantastic!

Scroll down and get both the printable recipes for tomato sauce and brown gravy styles below.

Stew

Stew is anything you want it to be.

I love it made with lamb meat, pork, chicken, venison, and I have tried them all.

Our family preference is to have a big pot of a little of all vegetables with tomato sauce.

There are two versions for you to choose from both perfect with a loaf of hard-crusted Italian bread.

Turn the brown gravy version into an Irish stew and add some root vegetables and beer instead of water, it's so good!

Again, the stew is what you make it, anything goes in the pot, and leave out the meat for vegetarian-style stew!

Cooking Methods

1. stovetop: add to a stew pot all ingredients simmer on low for 2 hours
2. pressure cooker Instant Pot: add all ingredients set to 45 minutes
3. oven: place all ingredients in a dutch oven at 350 degrees for 2 and half hours or until potatoes are soft
4. slow cooker: add all ingredients set to low 6 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 6 

Where did stew come from?

Stews have been made since ancient times.

It was written that the world's oldest stew was found made in Japan.

It is also written that Herodotus acknowledged that the Scythians (8th to 4th centuries BC) was to put the flesh of an animal's and mix water with it and boil it over a fire.

Economical to Feed Many

Stew is very economical and can feed a large family.

Generally, stews have less liquid than soups, are much thicker, and require longer cooking over low heat, related to the word stew.

Soups are almost always served in a bowl, stews may be thick enough to be served on a plate with this style of tomato sauce or made in a rich brown gravy.


If you prefer the brown version, I would suggest omitting the sauce and adding brown gravy to the pot.

Other Substitutions or Additions

1. corn
2. fingerling carrots
3. zucchini or yellow squash
4. peas
5. green beans
6. mushrooms
7. sliced Italian sausage
8. chicken
9. veal
10. pork
11. steak
12. meatballs
13. lamb

Slow Cooker Version:

Saute meat the same way as for the stovetop directions.

Add sauteed browned meat to the slow cooker on top of the vegetables using, then the rest of the ingredients listed.

Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or around 4 to 6 on high.

More Recipes You May Like

Pressure Cooker Beer Stew

Cioppino Fish Stew

Meat or Vegetable Ingredients for Italian Stew

• If you prefer to add meat to this stew then add 2 lbs. of any suggestions: beef, chicken, lamb, pork, venison,  or veal
• crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce or use 2 pounds of fresh plum tomatoes put through the food processor (Omit this ingredient if opting for the brown gravy version listed recipe)
• small zucchini cubed
• cubed and cleaned potatoes
• fresh green beans
• fresh carrot slices
• sprig fresh rosemary
• fresh parsley leaves1 fresh bay leaf
• red wine or white (or use water, beef, apple juice, chicken or beef broth if you want) water or all beer for an Irish version
• cleaned and sliced bell peppers
• cloves minced garlic 
• garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper to taste
• olive oil
• Optional additions: mushrooms, peas, garbanzo beans, Italian slices of sausage, London broil cubed, boneless pork tenderloin cubed or lamb cubed then proceed the same with the vegetables you choose and you can also use a combination of leftovers in combination like my mom did.

American (not the one we make) brown gravy version

• 1 (.75 ounce) packet of dry brown gravy mix
• 1 (1.5 ounces) package of dry beef stew seasoning mix
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups of water or (Stout Beer for an Irish version)
• Any kind of root vegetables

Whisk all together, pour over vegetables and meat, and cook with either method

1. Slow Cooker: to a 5 quart, slow cooker,  add 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and garlic on the bottom. Add all the vegetables (after the meat is browned). Slow cook for 8 to 10 hours on low or 4 to 6 on high in the crockpot.
2. Stovetop simmer on low heat for 2 1/2 hours.

Note: for a thicker stew add 2 tablespoons of flour and 1 cup of cold water together and add 30 minutes before the stew is completed.

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Easy Classic

This Italian stew is a basic recipe and the printable recipe card is below for you.


Make it your own, add what you like and let's get cooking making a great pot of Italian Comfort Stew that everyone in your family will be talking about for a day!


Let me know in the comment box below how you like this recipe.

Tool You Will Need To Make Italian Stew

• 6 to 8-quart Stewpot or Slow Cooker (pressure cooker if using)
• Sharp knife for cubing meats and vegetables
• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoon
• Collander to rinse vegetables
• Potato peeler
• Cover for the stewpot
• Ladle or Large spoons to stir the stew

Italian Stew

Yield: 10

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

prep time: 15 Mcook time: 2 H & 26 Mtotal time: 2 H & 41 M

This is a homemade stew that has both all vegetables or meat combined recipes. There is one using tomato sauce an alternative version for brown gravy recipes included.

ingredients:

• You will need for either stew you make:
• Meat for this stew should be cut in 1-inch cubes and I use around 2 pounds of suggestions below: 
• (2  pounds of either beef, chicken, lamb, veal, pork or venison)
• Note: (Saute the meat first in olive oil and garlic until browned on both sides before adding to a slow cooker).
• 1 - 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce or use 2 pounds of fresh plum tomatoes put through the food processor (Omit this ingredient if opting for the brown gravy version listed recipe).
• 3 fresh cubed tomatoes if using canned sauce
• 3 small zucchini cubed
• 4 cubes and clean potatoes
• 3 cups of fresh green beans
• 1 cup fresh carrot slices
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
• 2 or 3 stems of fresh parsley leaves
• 1 fresh bay leaf
• 1/2 cup red wine or white (or use beer, chicken broth, beef broth, or apple juice)
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 large cleaned and sliced bell peppers
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• oregano, salt, pepper to taste
• olive oil
• Optional additions: mushrooms, peas, garbanzo beans, 3 cups of cubed chicken, Italian slices of sausage, London broil cubed, boneless pork tenderloin cubed or lamb cubed then proceed the same with the vegetables you choose and you can also use a combination of leftovers in combination like my mom did.
• (for an American brown gravy version use this recipe):
• 1 (.75 ounce) packet dry brown gravy mix
• 1 (1.5 ounces) package dry beef stew seasoning mix
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups of water or stout beer
• Whisk all together, pour over vegetables and meat, cook with either method.

instructions:

How to cook Italian Stew

1. Directions for making Meat or Vegetable Italian Stew:
2. In a large crockpot or saucepan around 5 quarts, add 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and garlic on the bottom.
3. Add the sauce and all the vegetables you are using.
4. Add sauteed meat next or omit for all vegetable stews. 
5. Add the sauce and wine, water, herbs, and spices.
6. Slow cook for 8 to 10 hours on low or 4 to 6 on high in the crockpot.
7. If cooking on stovetop simmer on low for 2 1/2 hours on low.
8. For the pressure cooker set it on high for 45 minutes if potatoes are still not cooked remove pressure steam and set for another 15 minutes.

Calories
458

Fat (grams)
30

Sat. Fat (grams)
18

Carbs (grams)
29

Net carbs
14

http://www.whatscookinitalianstylecuisine.com/2014/03/italian-vegetable-stew-crockpot-recipe.html

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Italian

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Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2014. It was edited and re-published in 2019.