Stew Success: Slow-Cooked Wonders Without Oil!

Delight in the rich flavors and comforting warmth of hearty stews with these slow-cooked wonders that require no oil. Whether you’re craving a classic vegetable stew or a robust bean-based creation, these recipes are sure to satisfy your appetite and fill your home with irresistible aromas. With the convenience of a slow cooker or Instant Pot, you can set it and forget it, allowing the ingredients to simmer and meld together into deliciously satisfying meals. So let’s dive into the world of stew success and discover the joy of cooking without oil!

1. Slow Cooker Vegetable Stew

Ingredients:

• Potatoes, diced
• Carrots, sliced
• Celery, sliced
• Onion, diced
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Vegetable broth
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Bay leaves
• Thyme
• Salt and pepper
• Frozen peas
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a slow cooker, combine diced potatoes, sliced carrots, sliced celery, diced onion, minced garlic, canned diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir to combine, then cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the vegetables are tender.
3. Stir in frozen peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
4. Remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning to taste.
5. Serve the vegetable stew hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

2. Instant Pot Lentil Stew

Ingredients:

• Brown lentils, rinsed and drained
• Onion, diced
• Carrots, diced
• Celery, diced
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Vegetable broth
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In the Instant Pot, combine brown lentils, diced onion, diced carrots, diced celery, minced garlic, vegetable broth, canned diced tomatoes, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
2. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 15 minutes.
3. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
4. Stir the lentil stew and adjust seasoning to taste.
5. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

3. Slow Cooker Bean Stew

Ingredients:

• Mixed beans (such as black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas), cooked
• Onion, diced
• Bell pepper, diced
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Vegetable broth
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a slow cooker, combine cooked mixed beans, diced onion, diced bell pepper, minced garlic, canned diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir to combine, then cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together.
3. Adjust seasoning to taste.
4. Serve the bean stew hot, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro.

Enjoy Stew Success, Oil-Free!

With these delicious and easy-to-make stew recipes, you can enjoy the comforting goodness of slow-cooked meals without any added oil. Whether you’re simmering vegetables, lentils, or beans, these hearty stews are perfect for chilly days or cozy nights at home. So grab your slow cooker or Instant Pot and get ready to savor the satisfaction of stew success—without the need for oil!