Urban Garden Stew
A hearty vegetable and bean stew simmered with fresh herbs, representing the diverse growth of city gardens. This 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 should I serve with Urban Garden Stew?
A simple grain (rice, quinoa, or crusty bread), a quick green salad, and a steamed or roasted vegetable round out the plate. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" above for dish-specific pairings based on what you have on hand.
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.
