Hearty Mulligan Stew Recipe: A Rustic, Soul-Warming Classic

Crafting a hearty mulligan stew brings comfort and nostalgia to your kitchen table.

Hungry travelers and resourceful cooks historically created this dish from whatever ingredients they could scavenge.

Miners, railroad workers, and wandering laborers perfected the art of transforming random pantry items into a nourishing meal.

Potatoes, vegetables, and affordable meat chunks simmer together in a rich, aromatic broth that warms both body and soul.

Seasonal ingredients make each mulligan stew unique, reflecting personal creativity and local availability.

Every spoonful tells a story of resilience and improvisation from America’s culinary past.

Why Mulligan Stew Is a Hearty Comfort Food

• Tackle Family Dinner: Perfect hearty meal that satisfies everyone's hunger with rich, comforting flavors packed into one delicious pot.
• Master One-Pot Wonder: Simplifies cooking by combining all ingredients in a single Dutch oven, reducing cleanup and making preparation straightforward.
• Customize with Ease: Allows flexible vegetable choices, letting home cooks swap ingredients based on family preferences or seasonal availability.
• Nourish with Nutrition: Delivers a balanced meal combining protein-rich beef with multiple vegetables, providing essential nutrients in every spoonful.

Ingredients in Mulligan Stew

• Beef Stew Meat: A hearty and tender protein that forms the base of this classic stew.

• Flour, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Freshly Ground Black Pepper: A flavorful coating that adds depth and helps thicken the stew.
• Oregano, Basil, Marjoram: Aromatic herbs that provide a rich and warm flavor profile to the dish.

• Onion: Adds a sweet and savory base flavor to the stew.
• Potatoes, Carrots, Corn, Peas, Green Beans: A colorful and nutritious mix of vegetables that provide texture and nutrients.
• Beef Broth: A rich liquid that helps create a flavorful and tender stew base.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for browning the meat and sautéing the onions, adding a neutral cooking medium.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Mulligan Stew

Step 1: Prepare Seasoned Flour Coating

Mix flour, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper in a large zipper seal bag. Add beef stew meat and shake thoroughly to coat every piece of meat completely. The coating will help create a delicious crispy exterior and thicken the stew.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Using tongs, transfer the flour-coated beef into the hot pan. Carefully brown the meat on all sides until a golden crust forms, which adds rich flavor to the stew. Once browned, remove beef and set aside on a plate.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Base

Add another splash of vegetable oil to the Dutch oven. Sauté chopped onions until they become soft and translucent. Sprinkle remaining flour into the pan and stir continuously for two minutes. Add oregano, basil, and marjoram to build layers of herbal complexity. Pour in beef broth and stir, creating a smooth, aromatic sauce.

Step 4: Slow Cook the Stew

Return browned beef to the Dutch oven. Cover and transfer to a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the stew simmer for one hour, allowing meat to become tender and flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Add Vegetables

• Potatoes
• Corn
• Carrots
• Peas
• Green beans

Return the pot to the oven and cook for an additional 30 minutes until vegetables are soft and stew reaches perfect consistency.

Pro Tips for a Flavorful Mulligan Stew

• Maximize flavor by thoroughly browning beef before adding to the stew, creating rich caramelization and depth. Ensure even coating of meat with seasoned flour for a perfectly thickened sauce that clings beautifully to each ingredient. Choose fresh, seasonal vegetables for maximum nutrition and vibrant taste, cutting them into uniform sizes to guarantee even cooking. Keep the Dutch oven covered during baking to lock in moisture and prevent the meat from drying out. Swap beef with chicken or plant-based protein for versatile dietary options, maintaining the same delicious cooking technique.

Variations to Personalize Mulligan Stew

• Spicy Southwest Mulligan: Replace oregano, basil, and marjoram with chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Add diced green chilies and serve with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.
• Mediterranean Herb Mulligan: Swap beef for lamb and add rosemary, thyme, and a splash of red wine. Include diced eggplant and zucchini instead of traditional vegetables.
• Hearty Mushroom Mulligan: Substitute half the beef with mixed wild mushrooms like shiitake and porcini. Add dried porcini powder to the flour mixture for extra umami depth. Include pearl onions and fresh thyme for enhanced earthy flavors.
• Rustic Root Vegetable Mulligan: Replace some beef with parsnips and add rutabaga.

Ideal Sides and Pairings for Mulligan Stew

• Rustic Red Wine Pairing: Choose a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the rich, hearty beef flavors in the Mulligan Stew. The wine's robust tannins will enhance the meat's depth and cut through the stew's richness.
• Crusty Artisan Bread Companion: Serve warm, rustic sourdough or country-style bread alongside the stew. These breads provide the perfect vehicle for soaking up the flavorful broth and add a delightful textural contrast to the tender meat and vegetables.
• Fresh Green Salad Balance: Prepare a crisp mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette to counterbalance the stew's heartiness.

Proper Storage of Mulligan Stew

• Store leftover mulligan stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Removes excess air to prevent freezer burn. Stays good for up to 3 months.
• Place stew in microwave-safe dish. Cover with microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Pour stew into saucepan. Add splash of beef broth to prevent drying. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

FAQs Regarding Mulligan Stew

• What is Mulligan Stew?

A hearty one-pot American dish traditionally made by hobos and travelers using whatever ingredients were available, now evolved into a delicious beef and vegetable stew with rich, comforting flavors.

• Why do I need to brown the beef before cooking?

Browning creates a delicious caramelized exterior that adds deep, complex flavor to the meat and helps seal in the juices, making the beef more tender and flavorful in the final stew.

• Can I use different herbs if I don't have the exact ones listed?

Absolutely! While oregano, basil, and marjoram create a classic flavor profile, you can substitute with herbs like thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning blend to match your taste preferences.

Mulligan Stew Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty mulligan stew delivers comfort and nostalgia in one delicious pot, blending classic ingredients with rustic charm. Savory meat, vegetables, and rich broth promise a satisfying meal that warms both body and soul.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound (1 lb) beef stew meat

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram

Vegetables and Liquids:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 medium gold potatoes, cubed
• 1 bag (19 ounces / 540 grams) frozen mixed vegetables (corn, carrots, peas and green beans)
• 2 cups low sodium beef broth
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare a seasoning blend by mixing flour, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper in a large sealed bag.
2. Coat beef stew meat thoroughly in the seasoning mixture, shaking the bag to ensure even coverage.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat and carefully transfer the seasoned beef using tongs, browning meat on all sides until a rich golden color develops.
4. Remove browned beef to a separate plate, reserving any remaining flour mixture.
5. In the same Dutch oven, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil and sauté chopped onions for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
6. Sprinkle remaining flour into the onions, stirring constantly and cooking for 2 minutes to create a roux.
7. Add oregano, basil, and marjoram, stirring continuously for 30 seconds to release their aromatic oils.
8. Pour beef broth into the mixture, stirring and allowing the sauce to thicken for 2 minutes.
9. Return browned beef to the Dutch oven, cover, and transfer to a preheated 350°F oven for 1 hour.
10. After an hour, add potatoes, corn, carrots, peas, and green beans to the stew.
11. Return to the oven and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender and beef is completely soft.

Notes

• Customize the seasoning by adjusting herbs and spices to match your taste preferences, creating a personalized flavor profile.
• Use a cast-iron Dutch oven for even heat distribution and deeper flavor development during slow cooking.
• Swap beef with chicken or plant-based protein for alternative dietary needs, maintaining the stew’s hearty texture and comforting essence.
• Cut vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure consistent cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 317 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg