Nowadays with food prices skyrocketing, it is great to use leftovers to make a delicious soup or stew. I like to make Leftover Oven Stew. I'm going to share my recipe for it. Hope you enjoy.

I don't know if you'd actually call this a recipe. It's more like look in your fridge and freezer and combine stuff and pop it in the oven. I call it Leftover Stew. It can be made from leftovers only if you have everything you need, or a mixture of leftovers and frozen/fresh foods. I try to throw nothing away. If I have extra gravy or pan drippings I freeze them. Same goes with vegetables and meat.

Now all the measurements are approximates and change each time I make it. The ingredients are flexible too. If I don't have a beef broth leftover from cooking a roast in the instapot then I have used extra gravy or beef/chicken/vegetable boullion. This is a flexible recipe, as long as you have about 4 to 5 cups of liquid you should be good.

I used frozen ground beef (beef mince) this time which I fried first. I have used stewing beef, leftover roast or pork or chicken. Just use what you have. You can even make it into a vegetable stew by adding extra veggies. I have also used frozen mixed vegetables before and even canned potatoes. Feel free to substitue what you like and have on hand.

You will see quinoa in the recipe. This is optional. I like to add it if I have some to boost the protein.

Gluten-Free Leftover Stew

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1 to 2 Tablespoons oil or butter or bacon grease.
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 1 to 2 teaspoons minced garlic or garlic powder.
• 4 medium peeled potatoes, chopped slightly larger than bite size. About 3 to 4 cups.
• 1 large carrot, diced. About 1 cup.
• 1 cup frozen peas.
• 1 cup leftover frozen stewed tomatoes
• 1 cup leftover frozen gluten-free gravy
• 2 to 3 cups leftover frozen cooking broth from cooking a beef roast in the instapot.
• 400 to 450 grams meat (I used beef mince, but any meat you have will work). You can use leftover meat too.
• Optional: 1/4 cup quinoa (rinsed).

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 Fahrenheit (~180 Celsius).
2. Spray you oven proof pot with cooking spray I use PAM. Make sure there are no gluten ingredients in the cooking spray you use. I use a fairly large pot (dutch oven), mine holds about 10 cups of liquid.
3. Cut your vegetables up, and get all your ingredients ready to go. If frozen defrost the night before in the fridge or in the microwave the day you are cooking.
4. Turn your burner on to medium heat and add the oil or butter or grease to the pot.
5. If using uncooked meat, add now and fry until cooked. Remove excess grease. If using cooked meat add it after frying the onions and garlic.
6. Now, add the onion and garlic and fry for about 2 minutes. Then add the rest of the ingredients except the quinoa if using.
7. Turn off the burner, cover the pot with a lid and put in the oven for 1 hour.
8. After 1 hour check if the potatoes are done and give the stew a stir. If the potatoes are not cooked, then increase the heat to 375 Fahrenheit (~190 Celsius) and cook in the oven for 30 minutes more.
9. Remove from oven and check that the potatoes are soft. If not adding the quinoa your stew is done. If using the quinoa add it now, give the stew a stir, cover and bake in the oven for another 15 minutes.
10. After 15 minutes, you are finished. Give the stew a stir and check if it needs any salt and pepper. Serve as is or with some gluten-free bread and sliced tomatoes.






Did you know that you can freeze mashed potatoes in small portions and take out and reheat as needed. I sometimes don't put potatoes in the stew. Instead I add other vegetables such as zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower and green peppers, then I serve my reheated frozen mashed potatoes with the stew. Having frozen mashed potatoes in the freezer is great when you are in a rush, super to make a quick Shepard's Pie. Most cooked vegetables and meats freeze well and keep in the freezer for about 3 months

You can change up the meats and make a Chicken Leftover Stew by using leftover cooked chicken, chicken gravy or broth and add some gluten-free dumplings near the end of the stews cooking time.

What are your favourite recipes using leftovers?

Note: These are my personal experiences and opinions. Always seek out a medical opinion for medical concerns. Not sponsored. If sponsored I will always say so at the top of the post.