As the daughter of an Army veteran, I grew up eating variations of Army Base Stew, a hearty mix of ground beef, potatoes, carrots and peas simmered in a rich gravy. My dad often reminisced fondly about this filling, budget-friendly meal during his years in the service.
When I started working for Food and Meal, those nostalgic childhood food memories came flooding back. On a recent cold, rainy day, I felt inspired to try creating my own version of Army Base Stew to honor my father’s military service. Rather than just following a standard recipe, I wanted to elevate this classic dish by using high quality ingredients like grass-fed beef and fresh vegetables.
After hours of chopping, browning, simmering and seasoning, I finally had a steaming pot of stew that looked and smelled just like the ones from my childhood. With anticipation, I dished up a bowl and took my first bite. Comforting flavors of tender beef, soft carrots and potatoes blended beautifully with the savory gravy. It was soul-warming and delicious – exactly what my dad would have loved.
I’m so excited to share this hearty military stew that reminds me of my father’s sacrifices. It’s the perfect one-pot meal to feed a hungry crowd. I hope my elevated version inspires you to cook up special memories of your own.
Army Base Stew Recipe
ARMY BASE STEW
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups beef, pork, chicken, or a combination
- 1 1/2 cups assorted vegetables, like bean sprouts, cabbage, mushrooms, and chrysanthemum leaves
- 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
- 3 tablespoons gochujang
- 1 package ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packet)
Instructions
- In a medium stockpot or saucepan, combine the meat, vegetables, onion, gochujang, and noodles and cover with water. Bring to a rapid boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook for another 20 minutes.
- Serve with kimchi and white rice.
Notes
Nutrition
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This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the Spoonacular Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Alternative Method: Slow Cooker ARMY BASE STEW
Create a rich and flavorful base for your Slow Cooker ARMY BASE STEW by combining chicken or vegetable broth, gochugaru, gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, and minced garlic in a bowl. Layer thinly sliced onions, Napa cabbage kimchi, Korean rice cakes, sausage, baked beans, tofu, and mushrooms in the slow cooker. Pour the broth mixture over the layers and set the slow cooker to low heat for 4-6 hours. Add chopped green onions and optional ramen noodles 30 minutes before serving. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, then serve hot in individual bowls directly from the slow cooker for a communal dining experience.
Cooking Tips for Perfect ARMY BASE STEW
This hearty beef stew with potatoes, carrots and green beans captures the warmth and camaraderie of mess hall meals shared with service members from all walks of life.
Over the years, I’ve picked up some tips for making a perfect pot of this military kitchen classic. Browning the beef in batches is key for maximum flavor. Letting the stew simmer long and slow transforms the vegetables into melt-in-your-mouth perfection. And a dash of red wine vinegar brightens up the rich broth.
With each spoonful of this nostalgic stew, I think fondly of the tightknit military community I was lucky to be part of as a child. The memories of laughter and friendship shared over bowls of stew in those mess halls will stay with me forever
Serving Suggestions for ARMY BASE STEW
When serving up a hearty bowl of Army Base Stew, I like to pair it with some crusty bread to soak up the rich broth. The stew’s complex flavors of smoked meat, beans, and vegetables taste especially wonderful when dipped into freshly baked rolls or garlic bread.
For a lighter side, a fresh kohlrabi salad would balance beautifully with the stew. The crisp, peppery kohlrabi pairs nicely with the tender beef and smoky flavors.
No Army Base Stew meal would be complete without something sweet at the end! Round out your meal with a nice cherry cobbler, skillet brownies, or chocolate babka. The chocolate notes echo the depth of flavors in the stew, while the buttery cobbler and brownies soothe your palate.
With the right combination of sides and desserts, Army Base Stew makes for a perfectly comforting one-pot meal reminiscent of the military meals that inspired this recipe. Let the stew’s smoky, sweet, and savory flavors transport you, then ground yourself again with fresh, bright salads and decadent baked goods.
FAQs about ARMY BASE STEW
- Can I make ARMY BASE STEW vegetarian or vegan? Absolutely! Create a vegetarian or vegan version by omitting the sausage and using vegetable broth. Substitute meat-based ingredients with tofu, mushrooms, and additional vegetables for a flavorful plant-based stew.
- How spicy is ARMY BASE STEW? The spiciness varies based on personal preference. You can control the heat level by adjusting the amount of gochugaru and gochujang. Start with less if sensitive to spice and add gradually.
- Can I store leftovers? Yes, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding broth if needed due to noodle absorption.
- What’s the best type of kimchi to use? While Napa cabbage kimchi is traditional, experiment with different types like radish kimchi (kkakdugi) or cucumber kimchi (oi kimchi) for unique flavors and textures.
- Can I make ARMY BASE STEW vegetarian or vegan Absolutely! You can create a vegetarian or vegan version by omitting the sausage and using vegetable broth. Replace meat-based ingredients with tofu, mushrooms, and additional vegetables for a flavorful plant-based stew.
- How spicy is ARMY BASE STEW? The spiciness of the stew can vary depending on your preference. You can adjust the heat level by controlling the amount of gochugaru and gochujang you add. Start with less if you’re sensitive to spice and add more gradually.
- Can I store leftovers? Yes, you can store leftover ARMY BASE STEW in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. Note that the noodles may absorb more liquid over time, so you might need to add a bit of broth when reheating.
- What’s the best type of kimchi to use? While Napa cabbage kimchi is traditional, you can experiment with different types of kimchi to suit your taste. Radish kimchi (kkakdugi) or cucumber kimchi (oi kimchi) can add unique flavors and textures.
- Can I freeze ARMY BASE STEW? It’s not recommended to freeze ARMY BASE STEW because the texture of the ingredients, especially the vegetables, can change upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or as leftovers within a few days.
Conclusion
As I bring this “Army Base Stew” blog post to a close, I hope sharing my family’s cherished recipe and memories inspires you to reconnect with your own food heritage. This hearty, flexibly adaptable stew fed generations of service members at our local base, becoming a nostalgic community tradition. At Food and Meal, our goal is to honor food’s ability to nourish bodies, spirits, and human connections. Even the humblest ingredients can yield comfort and community when prepared with care to feed those you love.
If you try this stew, I’d be grateful if you shared your experience cooking it and any tweaks you made to suit your tastes. Connecting over beloved recipes and the memories they evoke is our passion. Please explore the many other recipes in the Food and Meal archives, partake of our virtual cooking courses, and join our digital community of home cooks from diverse backgrounds united by our love of food.
