Urban Garden Stew
A hearty vegetable and bean stew simmered with fresh herbs, representing the diverse growth of city gardens. This vegetarian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 55 minutes pairs olive oil, large, diced onion, peeled and diced carrots 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3, peeled and diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed white beans
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups, chopped kale
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 8 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juice), drained white beans, drained kidney beans, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1/2 tsp dried rosemary. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Step 4: Add the chopped kale and cook for 10 minutes until the kale is tender. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Urban Garden Stew take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Urban Garden Stew?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Urban Garden Stew?
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 Urban Garden Stew 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.
What goes well with Urban Garden Stew?
Vegetarian vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
