Italian Beef and Bean Stew
Hassle-free, delicious beef stew. Soak dried beans overnight and spend a few minutes mixing ingredients in the morning to come home to a hearty meal in the evening.
Cook Time: 7 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 6
Ingredients: 6
Ingredients
Preparation
Alternate Cooking Method:
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Step 1
Sort beans and remove any debris or broken beans; rinse and drain to remove grit. Place beans in large bowl and cover with water. Cover and soak overnight in refrigerator. Reserve seasoning packet.
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Step 2
Drain beans; rinse and remove any shriveled beans. Place Stew Meat, beans, broth, water and contents of reserved seasoning packet in 4-1/2 to 5-1/2-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH 5 to 6 hours or on LOW 6 to 7 hours or until beef and beans are fork-tender. (No stirring is necessary during cooking.)
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Step 3
Stir in pesto; mix well. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Serve topped with additional pesto, if desired.
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Step 4
This recipe can be made in a 6-quart electric pressure cooker. Place sorted beans and water in pressure cooker. Close and lock pressure cooker lid. Use beef, stew or high-pressure setting on pressure cooker; program 10 minutes on pressure cooker timer. Use quick-release feature to release pressure; carefully remove lid. Add Stew Meat, seasoning packet and broth. Close and lock pressure cooker lid. Use beef, stew or high-pressure setting on pressure cooker; program 25 minutes on pressure cooker timer. Release pressure and carefully remove lid. Continue as directed in step 3. (This recipe variation was tested in an electric pressure cooker at high altitude. Cooking at an altitude of less than 3000 feet may require slightly less cooking time. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.)
Nutrition Information
427 Calories
4g SAT FAT
50g PROTEIN
7.1 mg IRON
9.4 mg ZINC
* Based on a 2,000 calorie diet
** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet
Nutrition information per serving: 427 Calories; 99 Calories from fat; 11g Total Fat (4 g Saturated Fat; 4 g Monounsaturated Fat;) 112 mg Cholesterol; 568 mg Sodium; 33 g Total Carbohydrate; 3.6 g Dietary Fiber; 50 g Protein; 7.1 mg Iron; 5.2 mg NE Niacin; 0.6 mg Vitamin B6; 3.2 mcg Vitamin B12; 9.4 mg Zinc; 39.7 mcg Selenium; 118.5 mg Choline.
This recipe is an excellent source of Protein, Iron, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Zinc, Selenium, and Choline; and a good source of Dietary Fiber.
The Essential Ingredients
- Stew Meat: Ideal for low-and-slow cooking methods like roasting and braising. Typically cut from the round or chuck, stew meat is often diced into cubes, which make it perfect for stews, pot pie, or chili.
- Dried Bean Soup Mix: A blend of assorted dried beans designed for hearty soups. Mixes often include beans, lentils, and peas, perfect for making nutritious soups and stews when simmered with meat, seasonings and vegetables.
- Beef Broth: A savory liquid made from beef, beef bones, vegetables and seasonings. You’ll find many boxed or canned versions at the grocery store, including low sodium options). Use in place of water or other liquids to add a depth of flavor.
- Pesto: An herbaceous, bright green sauce often found in Italian cooking. Traditionally it’s made with fresh basil, garlic, and pine nuts. You can find it commonly used on pastas, spreads, or grilled vegetables and meats.
Safe Handling Tips:
- Wash hands with soap and water before cooking and always after touching raw meat.
- Separate raw meat from other foods.
- Wash all cutting boards, utensils, and dishes after touching raw meat.
- Do not reuse marinades used on raw foods.
- Wash all produce prior to use.
- Cook steaks and roasts until temperature reaches 145°F for medium rare, as measured by a meat thermometer, allowing to rest for three minutes.
- Cook Ground Beef to 160°F as measured by a meat thermometer.
- Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
For more information on degree of doneness and other cooking tips.
For more information on safe food handling and beef safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What cut of beef is stew meat?
Typically stew meat comes from chuck (shoulder) area. It’s great for slow cooking or use in stews or chili’s.
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What does the bean seasoning packet do?
The seasoning packet adds flavor to the dish and saves you time digging through your spice cabinet for all the spices, however if you prefer, you can use your own blend of herbs and spices.
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Do I need to soak the beans overnight?
Yes. Soak the beans overnight as the recipe directs. It reduces cooking time and improves the beans texture. If you skip this step the beans will take much longer to cook and could remain firm in texture
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What do I do if my stew is too thick?
If your stew has thickened too much, add more beef broth or water until desired consistency.
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