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If you’re searching for a heartwarming, wholesome dish that celebrates the bounty of warm-weather harvests, this Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe will quickly become your go-to favorite. Bursting with vibrant colors, tender vegetables, and a comforting, slightly creamy broth, this stew is the perfect way to savor those garden-fresh flavors in a single pot. It’s both nourishing and satisfying, ideal for sharing with family or friends on a laid-back afternoon or cozy evening. Once you try it, you’ll see why this Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe stands out as a delightful and versatile dish to keep on repeat all season long.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things wonderfully simple, relying on fresh, everyday ingredients that come together to create a melody of textures and tastes. Each element—from the butter that adds richness to the variety of vegetables that bring freshness and color—plays an essential role in building depth and harmony in the stew.
- Butter: Provides a rich, silky base to sauté aromatics and build flavor.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and complexity when gently cooked.
- Garlic: Brings a punch of fragrant aroma and subtle spicy notes.
- Potatoes: Tender and starchy, these give the stew body and creaminess.
- Carrots: Offer natural sweetness and a pop of bright color.
- Chicken or vegetable broth: The heart of the stew’s savory liquid, it infuses every bite.
- Zucchini: A soft, delicate vegetable that soaks up surrounding flavors beautifully.
- Diced tomatoes (canned): Contribute acidity and a fresh, juicy texture.
- Corn (canned with liquid): Adds sweetness and a bit of crunch, balancing the stew.
- Rubbed sage: A fragrant herb that lends an earthy, warm touch.
- All-purpose seasoning: Enhances the natural flavors and rounds out the taste.
- Evaporated milk: Thickens the stew while imparting a creamy, smooth finish.
- Cornstarch: Used as a thickening agent to achieve the perfect stew consistency.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to tailor the stew to your palate.
- Optional cooked chicken or other protein: Adds heartiness for a more filling meal.
- Parmesan cheese: A savory topping that melts into the stew, adding umami richness.
How to Make Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Begin by melting butter in a large pot over medium heat, then add your diced onion and minced garlic. Cook them until they’re soft and translucent, filling your kitchen with an irresistible, fragrant aroma that promises something delicious is on the way. This step provides the savory foundation your Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe needs to shine.
Step 2: Cook the Root Vegetables
Next, add the diced potatoes and carrots. These hearty vegetables need a few minutes to soften and start releasing their natural sweetness, which deepens the stew’s flavor. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and allow these ingredients to gently mingle with the aromatics you just cooked.
Step 3: Add Broth and Simmer
Pour in your chosen broth, whether chicken or vegetable, and bring the mixture to a boil. Then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. This gives time for the potatoes and carrots to soften while the broth absorbs all those savory notes, creating a rich base for the rest of the stew.
Step 4: Incorporate Summer Vegetables and Seasoning
Now’s the time to add the zucchini, canned diced tomatoes (including their juice), corn (with liquid), rubbed sage, all-purpose seasoning, and if you like, the optional cooked chicken or protein. Give everything a good stir so the flavors can start mingling, turning this pot of goodness into the Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe you’re craving.
Step 5: Cook Until Tender
Bring the stew back up to a gentle boil and continue cooking for 10 to 15 minutes. This step allows all the vegetables to become tender without losing their individual textures, striking a perfect balance that makes every spoonful satisfying and fresh.
Step 6: Add Creaminess with Evaporated Milk
Reserve a few tablespoons of evaporated milk, then stir the rest into the pot. This adds a velvety creaminess without overpowering the natural vegetable flavors, elevating your Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe to a luxurious, comforting level.
Step 7: Thicken the Stew
Mix the reserved evaporated milk with cornstarch until smooth, then stir this mixture into the stew. Let it simmer gently for another 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the stew thickens to just the right consistency.
Step 8: Season to Perfection
Finally, season your stew with salt and pepper to taste. Tasting and adjusting at this stage ensures the seasoning is just right, allowing all the summer vegetables to shine harmoniously.
Step 9: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle your vibrant stew into bowls and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a final touch of savory richness. If you like, add some fresh diced tomatoes on top to brighten the dish and add an extra burst of garden freshness. Your Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe is ready to delight!
How to Serve Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like shredded Parmesan or fresh diced tomatoes not only enhance the visual appeal but also introduce new flavor dimensions. A sprinkle of fresh herbs such as parsley or basil works wonderfully too, adding a freshness that complements the stew’s rich, warm spirit.
Side Dishes
This stew pairs brilliantly with crusty artisan bread, perfect for soaking up every last bit of the flavorful broth. You could also serve it alongside a light green salad for a crisp counterpoint or some buttered noodles to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to make your Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe even more memorable? Try serving it in rustic bread bowls for a cozy, inviting presentation. Or offer it over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa to turn it into a more filling feast. For a charming outdoor meal, dish it into colorful, mismatched bowls that highlight the dish’s vibrant hues.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This stew keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days when stored properly in an airtight container. The flavors even deepen over time, making it taste just as wonderful—if not better—the next day.
Freezing
Because of its hearty nature, the Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some room for expansion. It will stay fresh for up to 3 months, providing you with a quick, nutritious meal on busy days.
Reheating
When ready to enjoy leftover stew, thaw it overnight in the fridge if frozen. Reheat gently over low to medium heat on the stove, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Adding a splash of broth or water can help restore the perfect consistency if it thickened during storage.
FAQs
Can I make this stew vegetarian?
Absolutely! Using vegetable broth and skipping the optional chicken keeps this Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe entirely vegetarian without sacrificing any delicious flavor. It’s equally hearty and satisfying.
What other vegetables can I add?
Feel free to customize with your favorites—bell peppers, green beans, or even fresh summer squash all work wonderfully. Just add them during the appropriate cooking step based on their tenderness to keep the texture balanced.
Is this stew suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! This stew is one of those rare dishes that tastes even better reheated, making it perfect for meal prep. Prepare a large batch, portion it out, and enjoy convenient lunches or dinners all week.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, fresh tomatoes can be used and will add a wonderfully bright, fresh note to the stew. You might want to peel and dice them, and possibly cook a bit longer to achieve the right softness and flavor blend.
How thick should the stew be?
The stew should be thick enough to coat the spoon but still have plenty of tasty broth to enjoy. The cornstarch and evaporated milk help achieve a creamy, slightly thickened consistency without making it too heavy.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a dish that feels like a warm hug and a celebration of fresh ingredients all at once. This Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe does just that, offering a delicious, comforting meal that makes the most of the season’s best vegetables. I can’t wait for you to try it and see how easily it becomes a beloved staple in your kitchen as well!
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Summer Vegetable Stew Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This comforting Summer Vegetable Stew combines a medley of fresh vegetables simmered in a flavorful broth and enriched with evaporated milk for a creamy texture. Perfect for a hearty, nutritious meal any time of day, it offers flexibility with optional cooked chicken for added protein and is finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a savory touch.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Vegetables
- 2 cups diced potatoes
- 2 cups diced carrots
- 2 cups diced zucchini
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (14.5 oz) can corn, undrained
Liquids & Seasonings
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
- 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional
- 2 cups diced cooked chicken or other protein
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté until fragrant and translucent, which will take about 3-5 minutes to develop the base flavors.
- Add Root Vegetables: Stir in the diced potatoes and carrots. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing them to begin softening and absorbing the flavors.
- Simmer Initial Vegetables: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce heat to maintain a simmer, cooking for 15 minutes until the potatoes and carrots start to soften significantly.
- Add Remaining Vegetables and Protein: Add diced zucchini, canned diced tomatoes with their juice, undrained corn, rubbed sage, all-purpose seasoning, and the optional cooked chicken or other protein. Stir everything together to combine the flavors evenly.
- Cook Until Tender: Bring the stew back to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until all vegetables are tender and the flavors meld.
- Add Evaporated Milk: Reserve 2 to 3 tablespoons of the evaporated milk in a small bowl. Pour the remaining evaporated milk into the stew and stir well to integrate the creamy texture.
- Thicken Stew: Mix the reserved evaporated milk with cornstarch until smooth to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the stew thoroughly.
- Final Simmer: Continue to simmer the stew for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until it slightly thickens. Season the stew with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle the hot stew into bowls and top with shredded Parmesan cheese. Optionally, garnish with fresh diced tomatoes for added freshness and color.
Notes
- The recipe is versatile and can easily be made vegetarian by omitting the optional cooked chicken and using vegetable broth.
- Using evaporated milk helps create a creamy texture without heavy cream, making the stew lighter.
- To make this stew gluten-free, ensure your all-purpose seasoning is gluten-free or substitute with your favorite gluten-free herb blend.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
- For added depth of flavor, you can add a bay leaf during simmering and remove before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
