Mulligan Stew Recipe; Stew Ingredients for Learning How to Make Beef Stew

History tells that Mulligan stew is made from whatever ingredients are available. “What you can beg, borrow or steal!” It could be leftover Irish appetizers, lamb stew or even Irish cookies! It is really a way to use up all your leftovers in your refrigerator or freezer. For this reason, there is no set recipe for it and every time it is prepared it should be different.

Although this Irish stew recipe seems to go back to the Irishmen, the term “Mulligan stew recipe” is used to describe many different things in other parts of the world. I have heard that our hobos along the railroads use to make Mulligan stew by stealing from the houses along the tracks. My dad use to tell me if he didn’t feed the hobos they would steal what they wanted. He would sit them down at the picnic table and feed them each time they came around.

The stories of Mulligan stew recipes go something like this; women would gather together available foods in the kitchen early on wash day. After throwing everything in a large pot, they would begin their wash. Because of the cold damp weather and the fact that they spent much of their washday outside in the cold, this pot of hot hearty stew was a welcome break to warm up.

Here are some stew ingredients you might find leftover in your refrigerator to throw into a large pot to make the stew.

MULLIGAN STEW INGREDIENTS

• Hamburger


• Roast beef


• Steak


• Pork chops


• Sausage


• Roast pork


• Ham pieces


• Any fats or bones


• Leftover gravies/ meat stock


• Vegetables: Corn, peas, green beans, carrots, all beans, tomatoes

Even if you don’t have leftover garlic, onions or celery, I would always add them also for flavor. You could also add any leftover rice or macaroni.

Start the stew by adding the meat into a big heavy pot and cover with water. Start throwing in all the vegetables that you have available. Then add the rice or pasta. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer. After a few minutes, taste the mixture for flavor. Season with salt and pepper. Then add the herbs and spices that you like. Remember no set rules! Just go for your favorite flavor. Everyone is different!

IRISH STEW RECIPE

This Irish stew recipe made by one family might also be called a mulligan stew recipe.

• 2 ½ Pounds chunks lamb


• 8 Potatoes


• 4 Turnips


• 4 Small onions


• 1 Pint green peas


• 1 Pint lima beans


• 4 Carrots


• 1 Quart cold water


• Salt/ pepper

Chop vegetables and lamb; layer in pot alternately with meat and vegetables.

Add quart of cold water; cover stew pot and stew slowly until most of liquid is absorbed.

PRESSURE COOKER BEEF STEW

Even though this beef stew recipe is not slow cooked but is a presser cooker beef stew recipe, it can also be a Mulligan stew recipe.

• 2 Tablespoon fat


• 2 Pounds chunked beef


• ¼ Pound lean salt pork in ½ inch cubes


• 1 Can (16 ounces) tomatoes


• 1 Large chopped onion


• 1 Large chopped carrot


• 1 Celery stalk


• 1 Clove minced garlic


• 1 Bay leaf


• 1 Teaspoon salt


• 1 Teaspoon thyme


• 3 Parsley sprigs


• 12 Stuffed olives in halves


• 1 Cup sliced mushrooms

Brown meat and salt pork in hot fat; add remaining ingredients.

Cover and bring cooker to 15 pounds of pressure as manufacturer directs; cook 20 minutes.

Remove cooker from heat and reduce pressure quickly as manufacturer directs before removing cover.

Discard parsley and bay leaves; serve over hot cooked noodles.

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