Beef(less) Stew - A Great Recipe and Some Information About Why You Should Skip the Beef!

Isn't beef(less) stew, just stew?  You've got me there...it is just stew.  That doesn't make this dish any less delicious though.  This recipe has those deep rich flavors of beef stew without the artery clogging  stuff.  Did I mention that it is also super simple and cheap to make?


I reviewed several recipes for beef(less) stew on the internet before I created this one.  One of the best ideas that borrowed from another recipe was to puree some of the vegetables to thicken the stew instead of adding flour, brilliant!  Here it is:

By the way....

Humans are just not meant to eat cows...or drink their milk for that matter.   Here are 5 good reasons, other than because this stew tastes amazing, to skip the beef:

**Check out the links below to get the details on the scientific evidence backing up my statements.  All of the links go to videos from NutritionFacts.org, which is great FREE resource put together by Dr. Michael Greger, MD.  He posts videos of different lengths reviewing the most recent nutrition research for those of you who want the evidence-based information. **  

1. Beef is high is saturated fat.  Consumption of saturated fat increases LDL cholesterol which is the "bad" cholesterol associated with heart disease, America's number 1 killer.
Click here for the science!
2. Meat containing diets are associated with increased rates of colon cancer.  While most meat is digested in the small intestine up to 12% of it makes it down to the colon where it then putrefies.  Those putrefication products are carcinogenic (aka cancer causing).
Click here for the science!
3. Beef consumption is associated with hormone dependent cancers such as breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and prostate cancer.
Click here for the science!
4. Meat eaters gain more weight than non-meat eaters even when they eat the same number of calories. Meat consumption is also particularly associated with abdominal obesity.
Click here for the science!
5. Eating animal protein causes an inflammatory reaction in the kidneys that in turn causes glomerular hyperfiltration (the kidneys overworking to filter your blood).  This chronic overwork leads to deterioration of the kidneys over time, called chronic kidney disease or CKD.
Click here for the science!

Did all of that learning make you hungry?  Let's get started!

Beef(less) Stew:

1 yellow onion, chopped 

6 cloves of garlic, minced

3 stalks of celery, chopped

3 carrots, chopped

16 ounces of cremini mushrooms, quartered

2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, chopped

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

1/2 cup tomato paste

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

salt to taste

pepper to taste

3 tablespoons soy sauce, tamari, or liquid aminos

2 cups vegetable stock

3 cups water

1-2 teaspoons of vegetable "Better Than Bouillon" to taste

This is a super simple one pot meal.  First put a little water in the bottom of a large soup pot over medium high heat.  Throw the carrots, celery, onions, and garlic in the pot and let them start to sweat.  

Then add the mushrooms and let them cook down for a few minutes too.

Next add the potatoes, spices, herbs, soy sauce, and tomato paste.  So everything should be in the pot except the bouillon and the peas.

Pop the lid on and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.





















To thicken the stew, put a few spoonfuls into the blender and blend until smooth.  Then simply stir that mixture back into the pot.

And now for my secret ingredient...Better Than Bouillon.  Add a teaspoon or 2 to taste.  It adds a deep flavor and deepens the color of the stew as well.  FYI, it also adds a fair amount of salt so use it sparingly!















Now it is ready to eat!  If you are looking to add a little more protein to this dish stir in more peas, beans, tofu, or tempeh.  I hope you enjoy this stew and remember cows are friends, not food.

Happy eating and best health,

Dr. G