Summer Vegetable Stew packed with zucchini, fresh tomatoes, carrots & potatoes, then flavored with an onion garlic broth for a light, flavorful summer stew!
I was really craving stew the other day but thought I’d use some fresh vegetables from the garden. It turned out fantastic and you know what, even my die-hard-summer-loving husband enjoyed it. Feel free to swap out cans for fresh if your garden is overflowing!
Why You Will Love This Easy Veggie Stew Recipe
- It’s packed with fresh vegetables: This recipe includes a variety of fresh summer vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes. These vegetables are not only delicious but also loaded with nutrients, making it a healthy meal option.
- It’s easy to make: This recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, making it perfect for those who are short on time or new to cooking. All you need to do is chop up the vegetables, sauté them, and let it simmer until the vegetables are tender.
- It’s versatile: This recipe is very versatile and can be customized to your liking. You can add your favorite vegetables or swap out ingredients to make it your own. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any vegetables you have on hand.
Summer Stew Ingredients
Onion: You need ½ cup of diced onion, you can use red, white, or sweet onion depending on your preference. In a pinch, you can also use about 1 rounded tsp of onion powder.
Garlic: Add in 2 tsp of minced garlic to give this dish amazing flavor.
Butter: Using 2 TBSP of butter will help soften the vegetables and give them a lovely rich taste. You can use olive oil instead if you prefer.
Potatoes: You will need 2 cups of diced potatoes, I used baby red and yellow potatoes. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
Carrots: Adding 2 cups of diced carrots will give this stew even more great flavor and nutritious value.
Broth: Use one 14-oz can of chicken or vegetable broth for the perfect stew consistency.
Zucchini: For more amazing flavor and nutrition, use 1 medium zucchini, diced. I cut my zucchini in half, then each half lengthwise, then into slice smaller pieces. Be careful not to make them too small, they soften so much they disappear.
Tomatoes: You need 2 large tomatoes, peeled, and diced. To simplify this recipe, you can also use one 14-oz can of diced tomatoes, not drained.
Corn: Add in one 14-oz can of corn (not drained): You can use fresh corn cut off from the cob as well.
Sage: For a great earthly flavor, use ½ tsp of rubbed sage.
Seasoning: Adding in ½ tsp of all-purpose seasoning will give this stew a well-balanced flavor.
Milk: You will need one 12-ounce can of evaporated milk or 1 ½ cups of regular milk can be used in place. Non- sweetened almond milk works great too!
Cornstarch: To help thicken the stew to a great texture, add in 2 TBSP of cornstarch.
Meat (optional): If you want to add some protein to this stew, add in 1 cup of cooked & diced chicken or ham.
Parmesan cheese: Top each bowl of stew off with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, it’s a delicious addition!
Storage and Leftovers for Summer Veggie Stew
After preparing a delicious Summer Vegetable Stew, it is important to properly store any leftovers to ensure they stay fresh and safe to eat.
- To store the stew, allow it to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. The container can then be placed in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you plan to keep the stew for longer than 4 days, it is recommended to freeze it instead.
- When freezing the stew, it is best to divide it into smaller portions to make it easier to reheat later. Use freezer-safe containers or resealable bags and remove as much air as possible before sealing. The stew can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- When reheating the stew, it is important to do so thoroughly. Heat it on the stove or in the microwave until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If the stew appears dry after reheating, add a small amount of broth or water to help loosen it up.
- It is also important to note that some vegetables may become mushy or lose their texture after being reheated. Vegetables such as zucchini, squash, and tomatoes may be more susceptible to this. If you prefer to have your vegetables retain their texture, consider adding them to the stew towards the end of the cooking process rather than cooking them for the full duration.
Overall, with proper storage and reheating techniques, leftover Summer Vegetable Stew can be a delicious and convenient meal option for days to come.
SUMMER VEGETABLE STEW
Ingredients
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 TBSP butter
- 2 cups diced potatoes
- 2 cups diced carrots
- 14 oz can chicken broth
- 1 medium zucchini diced
- 2 large tomatoes peeled and diced (or you can use 1 14-oz can diced tomatoes, not drained)
- 14 oz can corn not drained
- ½ tsp rubbed sage
- ½ tsp all-purpose seasoning
- 12 oz can evaporated milk
- 2 TBSP cornstarch
- 1 cup diced chicken or ham optional
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese to top bowls of stew with
Instructions
- Prep: Start by preparing the vegetables for the stew. Dice the onion, mince the fresh garlic (if not using pre-minced garlic), also chop the potatoes into small cubes.
- Wash and dice the carrots into 1" size pieces, slice the zucchini into 1-2" size pieces (these should be a bit bigger than the carrots; they get soft much faster). Don't forget to peel and dice the tomatoes (if using fresh ones from your garden).
- Lastly, if you are going to add meat to this stew, make sure the meat is fully cooked and chopped into bite sized chunks as well.
- Cook: In a large stockpot, heat butter over medium heat. Add in onions, garlic, potatoes and carrots. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until onions are translucent.
- Add in chicken broth. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, until potatoes and carrots are soft.
- Add in zucchini, tomatoes, corn, chicken or ham (if desired) and seasonings (except cornstarch.) Heat for another 10-15 minutes or so, until mixture is hot and beginning to boil.
- Reduce heat and add all but 2-3 TBSP of the evaporated milk. Mix remaining evaporated milk with the cornstarch and stir until combined. Stir it into the stew. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Salt & pepper to taste. Top with fresh diced cherry tomatoes & a little shredded Parmesan cheese once stew is ladled into each bowl. Serve and enjoy!
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What are some tips for making a great vegetable stew?
When making vegetable stew, it is important to choose the right vegetables. Fresh and in-season vegetables are always the best option. To add more depth of flavor, consider roasting some of the vegetables before adding them to the stew. Another tip is to use vegetable stock instead of water for extra flavor. Adding fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves can also enhance the overall taste of the stew. Lastly, it’s important to let the stew simmer for at least an hour to allow all the flavors to meld together.
Love soup? Try these other favorite soup and stew recipes!
- Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
- Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe
- Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe
- Crockpot Beef Chili Recipe
- Easy Chili Recipe
Summer Vegetable Stew is loaded with fresh flavors perfect for a weeknight summer meal when the garden is overflowing. This veggie stew is a great way to use up the abundance of veggies in your summer garden!
Janice says
Delicious but I added some cream and cream cheese to make it more creamy. Added mushrooms, celery and yellow pepper just because I always add these to recipes. Plus used various seasonings. But the basic ingredients is the start of a great dish.
Nellie says
I love your additions -they all sound delicious!
JJ says
Do you have any tips on how to make this in a crockpot? I would like to bring this to a work function. 🙂
Jessica says
Hmmm… that would be tough because you don’t want all your veggies to get overly soft. You could add most of the veggies, cook it for a couple hours on low then add the zucchini, cook it another 30 mins, then turn the crockpot to “warm” until serving. That might work! Keep me posted!
Jeri says
Tasted great! I didn’t have evaporated milk on hand so I substituted coconut milk. Turned out great! I also added Italian venison sausage for protein, it tasted really good!
Jessica says
Oooh I actually love the idea of using coconut milk!
Marci Payne says
I have made this a couple of times and thought it was really good. I did think it needed a little something to “brighten” it and I added a little lime juice. The lime juice did the trick for me! Made it even better.
Nellie says
Thanks for sharing! I’ll have to try adding some lime juice next time!
Jessica says
Such a great idea MArci!!
Connie says
This was delicious! Used cream instead of condensed milk and tomato paste because I didn’t have tomatoes. Then added chicken thighs cut up at the end. Such hearty stew! This is something you could find in a good pub! Comfort food!
Thank you!
Jessica says
So glad you enjoyed it! Love your additions!
Kelsi says
Added celery, red bell pep., parsley, cauliflower instead of potatoes, used fire roasted tomatoes, and added grated parmesan cheese at the end. also used xanthan gum instead of cornstarch. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! I normally hate veggie soup but this was genuinely the best one I’ve ever had 😋 I was a little bit hesitant adding the evaporated milk and sage (not a fan of sage) but it ended up being soo good 👌🏻
Nellie says
Love all your additions! Thanks for sharing Kelsi!