Estate Stew: Hearty Three-Bean & Vegetable Medley
A comforting, pantry-friendly stew packed with fiber-rich beans and seasonal vegetables, simmered to perfection. This american-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs chicken broth, (15 oz, drained) white beans, (15 oz, drained) kidney beans for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz, drained) white beans
- 1 can (15 oz, drained) kidney beans
- 2 medium, diced into 1/2-inch pieces carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add 1 tbsp water. Sauté 1 chopped onion until translucent (5 minutes), then add 2 diced carrots and 2 diced celery stalks. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Step 2: Add 4 cups chicken broth, 1 can white beans, 1 can kidney beans, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until flavors meld and vegetables are tender.
- Step 4: Remove bay leaves and discard. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot with crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Estate Stew: Hearty Three-Bean & Vegetable Medley take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Estate Stew: Hearty Three-Bean & Vegetable Medley?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Estate Stew: Hearty Three-Bean & Vegetable Medley?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Estate Stew: Hearty Three-Bean & Vegetable Medley for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Estate Stew: Hearty Three-Bean & Vegetable Medley vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.