Hearty & Healthy Weight Watchers Mulligan Stew: An Easy Pressure Cooker Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of stew to soothe the soul, especially when it’s packed with wholesome ingredients and fits perfectly into a healthy eating plan. Our Mulligan Stew, affectionately known as “hobo stew” for its versatile nature, is a robust, chunky meat and vegetable stew designed to bring a touch of home-cooked goodness to your table without any guilt. This recipe is specifically crafted to be Weight Watchers-friendly, utilizing lean cubed beef sirloin and an abundance of fresh vegetables, making it a delicious ZeroPoint meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious.

What makes this stew truly special isn’t just its incredible flavor, but its remarkable ease of preparation. Harnessing the power of your pressure cooker, you can transform simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful meal in just over an hour. It’s an ideal recipe for those busy weeknights when you crave something substantial yet don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Beyond its quick cook time, this Mulligan Stew is incredibly versatile – perfect for cleaning out your fridge by incorporating any leftover produce you might have on hand. It also freezes exceptionally well, making it a fantastic option for meal prepping and ensuring you have healthy, ready-to-eat meals throughout the week. Don’t forget to explore our other fantastic Weight Watchers dinner recipes for more delicious and healthy meal ideas!

Why This Weight Watchers Mulligan Stew Stands Out

In the realm of comfort food, stews often get a bad rap for being heavy or calorie-laden. Our Weight Watchers Mulligan Stew breaks that stereotype by offering a meal that is both incredibly hearty and remarkably light. With lean beef sirloin as its protein base and a generous medley of non-starchy vegetables, this recipe is a true ZeroPoint gem on the Weight Watchers program. This means you can enjoy a full, flavorful serving without counting any points, allowing you to stay on track with your health goals without sacrificing taste.

The beauty of this stew lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor achieved through basic, wholesome ingredients. Every spoonful is a testament to the power of fresh produce and quality meat, simmered to perfection. It’s a dish that warms you from the inside out, providing sustained energy and satiety thanks to its high fiber and protein content. Whether you’re looking for a healthy family dinner, a convenient meal prep solution, or just a truly comforting bowl of goodness, this Mulligan Stew is guaranteed to become a cherished addition to your recipe rotation.

Recipe Snapshot

Here’s a quick glance at what to expect from this delightful pressure cooker Mulligan Stew:

• Generous Serving Size: Approximately 400 g per serving, ensuring you feel fully satisfied.
• Yield: This recipe makes 6 substantial servings, perfect for a family meal or multiple meal prep portions.
• Total Cook Time: Just 1 hour and 15 minutes, thanks to the efficiency of pressure cooking.
• Weight Watchers Friendly: Absolutely! This is a certified ZeroPoint Recipe, making it an excellent choice for managing your points. You can easily view the full recipe details on the WW Apphere (WW login required).

Essential Ingredients for a Flavorful Mulligan Stew

One of the best aspects of Mulligan Stew is its adaptability, reflecting its humble origins as a meal made with “whatever you had.” However, a core set of ingredients forms the foundation of its rich and hearty flavor. Our selection prioritizes lean protein and a colorful array of vegetables to maximize nutrition and keep it Weight Watchers friendly. This combination ensures a deeply satisfying stew that’s bursting with natural goodness.

• 600 g lean beef sirloin, cut into cubes: Sirloin is an excellent choice for stew as it’s flavorful yet lean, making it ideal for a healthy diet. Cubing it ensures even cooking and tender results in the pressure cooker.
• Salt and black pepper to taste: Essential for seasoning the meat and building the overall flavor profile of the stew.
• 1 teaspoon olive oil (5 ml): Used for browning the beef and sautéing the aromatics, adding a hint of healthy fat.
• 1 large white onion, diced (200 g): The cornerstone of many stews, providing a sweet and pungent aromatic base.
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped (100 g): Adds a subtle earthy flavor and crucial texture to the stew.
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (9 g): Provides a deep, savory aroma that enhances all the other flavors.
• 2 carrots, sliced into rounds (120 g): Brings natural sweetness, vibrant color, and essential vitamins.
• 12 green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces (90 g): Contributes freshness, a slight crunch, and additional nutrients.
• 1 red bell pepper, diced (120 g): Adds a beautiful pop of color and a mild, sweet flavor, plus Vitamin C.
• 1 medium potato, cubed (180 g): A small amount of potato provides a comforting element and helps to slightly thicken the stew broth without adding many points.
• ½ small cabbage, shredded (200 g): Adds a wonderful tender texture and a distinct, hearty flavor that is characteristic of classic stews.
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes: Forms the rich, slightly acidic base of the broth, balancing the savory flavors.
• 4 cups beef broth (960 ml): The liquid foundation of the stew, infusing all ingredients with a deep beefy taste. Opt for a low-sodium variety if desired.
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (1 g): A classic herb for stews, offering an aromatic and slightly peppery note.
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley (1 g): Provides a fresh, earthy flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• ½ teaspoon dried marjoram (1 g): A milder, sweeter cousin to oregano, adding subtle complexity to the herb blend.
• 1 bay leaf: Infuses the stew with a delicate, herbal aroma during cooking, which is then removed before serving.
• ½ cup green peas (75 g): Added at the end to retain their bright color and sweet, tender texture.
• ½ cup lima beans (optional) (90 g): An excellent optional addition for extra creaminess and protein, enhancing the “clean out the fridge” spirit of Mulligan Stew.
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (4 g): A vibrant garnish that adds a final touch of freshness and color before serving.

Step-by-Step Guide to Pressure Cooking Mulligan Stew

Making this hearty Mulligan Stew in a pressure cooker streamlines the cooking process, ensuring tender meat and perfectly cooked vegetables in a fraction of the time. Follow these simple instructions for a delicious and satisfying meal:

1. Season and brown the meat: Begin by seasoning your cubed beef sirloin generously with salt and black pepper. This initial seasoning is crucial for building flavor from the ground up. Activate the Sauté function on your Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Once hot, add the olive oil. Brown the seasoned beef cubes in small batches for 4-5 minutes per side. It’s important not to overcrowd the pot, as this allows the meat to sear properly and develop a rich, caramelized crust, which is essential for a deep, savory stew broth. Remove the browned meat and set it aside.





2. Sauté aromatics: Using the same pot, without cleaning it (the fond left from browning the meat adds incredible flavor), add the diced onion and finely chopped celery. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and become translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and continue to cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.



3. Add vegetables: Stir in the sliced carrots, green beans, diced red bell pepper, cubed potato, and shredded cabbage. Sauté these vegetables for another 3-4 minutes. This step helps to slightly soften them and allows their flavors to start developing before pressure cooking.
4. Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in the beef broth and add the dried oregano, dried parsley, marjoram, and bay leaf. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot with your spoon to deglaze it and incorporate any browned bits into the liquid, which will further enrich the stew’s flavor. Mix all the ingredients well to combine.
5. Pressure cook: Return the browned meat to the pot, ensuring it is submerged in the liquid. Securely close the lid of your pressure cooker and set the valve to the Sealing position. Cook on High Pressure for 25 minutes. After the cooking cycle is complete, allow a Natural Release for 10 minutes. This means you do nothing and let the pressure come down gradually on its own. After 10 minutes, carefully release any remaining pressure manually.



6. Add peas: Once the pressure has been fully released, carefully open the pot. Add the green peas (and optional lima beans, if using). Close the lid loosely (or keep it open) and cook for an additional 5 minutes using the Sauté function. This short cooking time is just enough to warm the peas through and ensure they retain their vibrant color and fresh texture without becoming mushy.
7. Finish and serve: Carefully remove the bay leaf from the stew. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of fresh flavor and a beautiful garnish. Serve your hearty Mulligan Stew warm and enjoy!

Expert Tips & Customization for Your Mulligan Stew

Mulligan Stew, in its essence, is a tribute to resourcefulness and simple, honest cooking. This philosophy means there’s rarely a wrong way to make it, especially when it comes to incorporating fresh ingredients. Here are some straightforward tips and tricks to elevate your stew and make it truly your own:

• Embrace Versatility: Use What You Have: Staying true to the “hobo stew” spirit, this recipe is incredibly forgiving and encourages improvisation. Feel free to add any vegetables lurking in your fridge that need to be used up. Think chopped spinach, florets of broccoli, thinly sliced scallions, corn kernels, zucchini, or even different types of beans. This is an excellent opportunity to reduce food waste and introduce a wider array of nutrients to your meal.
• Master the Sear: For a Clearer Broth and Deeper Flavor: Don’t skip or rush the browning step for the beef. Properly searing the meat in batches creates a rich, caramelized crust through the Maillard reaction. This not only locks in the beef’s savory flavor but also contributes to a clearer, more appealing stew broth. Overcrowding the pot prevents proper searing, leading to steamed rather than browned meat, which can make the broth cloudy and less flavorful. Take your time with this step for the best results.
• Thickening the Stew: Achieve Your Desired Consistency: While this stew is naturally hearty, if you prefer a thicker consistency, there are a few simple methods.
  • Cornstarch Slurry: Dissolve one tablespoon of cornstarch in a small amount of cold beef broth or water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the simmering stew during the final Sauté phase (after adding peas) and cook for a few minutes until the stew thickens.
  • Wheat Flour: For a slightly richer thickness, mix a tablespoon of all-purpose wheat flour with an equal amount of cold water to form a smooth paste. Add this to the stew and simmer until it reaches your desired consistency.
  • Mashed Potato: A traditional and delicious way to thicken stew is to mash a small portion of the cooked potatoes from the stew itself, or add a spoonful of leftover mashed potatoes, then stir them back into the broth. This adds creaminess and body without altering the flavor profile significantly.
• Freezing for Future Meals: The Ultimate Meal Prep Companion: This Mulligan Stew truly freezes beautifully, making it an absolute dream for meal preparation. Allow the stew to cool completely before transferring it to airtight, freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently over low heat on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems too thick. This ensures a healthy, homemade meal is always just minutes away.
• Serving Suggestions: While delicious on its own, this stew pairs wonderfully with a side of crusty whole-grain bread to soak up the flavorful broth, a simple green salad for added freshness, or a small serving of brown rice or quinoa for extra carbohydrates.

The Health Benefits of Mulligan Stew

Beyond its delicious taste and comforting qualities, this Weight Watchers Mulligan Stew is a powerhouse of nutrition, making it an excellent choice for a healthy lifestyle. Its thoughtfully selected ingredients contribute a wealth of benefits:

• High in Lean Protein: The lean beef sirloin provides a significant amount of high-quality protein, essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall bodily function. Protein also helps you feel fuller for longer, aiding in weight management.
• Packed with Fiber and Nutrients: The vast array of vegetables—onions, celery, carrots, bell pepper, potato, cabbage, green beans, peas, and optional lima beans—ensures a rich intake of dietary fiber, vitamins (like A, C, and K), and minerals. Fiber is crucial for digestive health and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
• Low in Saturated Fat: By choosing lean sirloin and minimal added oil, this stew keeps saturated fat content in check, supporting cardiovascular health.
• Hydrating: The generous amount of beef broth not only adds flavor but also contributes to your daily fluid intake.
• Naturally Filling and Satisfying: The combination of protein, fiber, and warm liquids makes this stew incredibly satisfying, helping to prevent overeating and making it a perfect fit for the Weight Watchers program as a ZeroPoint meal.
• Homemade Goodness: Preparing your stew from scratch means you control all the ingredients, avoiding excessive sodium, artificial additives, and unhealthy fats often found in store-bought or restaurant versions.

Incorporating this Mulligan Stew into your diet is a simple and delicious way to boost your nutrient intake while enjoying a classic comfort food, all while staying mindful of your health and wellness goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mulligan Stew

Here are some common questions about making and enjoying Mulligan Stew:

• Can I make this stew without a pressure cooker? Yes, you can! On the stovetop, after browning the meat and sautéing the aromatics and vegetables, add the broth and seasonings. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat, cover, and cook for 1.5-2 hours, or until the beef is very tender. For a slow cooker, follow the browning and sautéing steps (or skip browning if time is tight, though flavor will be less developed), then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Add peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• What kind of beef is best for stew? While sirloin is excellent for its leanness, other cuts like chuck roast, round steak, or stew meat also work well. Just ensure they are cut into uniform cubes for even cooking and become wonderfully tender.
• Can I use different vegetables? Absolutely! Mulligan Stew is famous for its flexibility. Feel free to add or substitute with other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips, leafy greens like kale or collard greens (add towards the end), or even different kinds of beans such as cannellini or kidney beans.
• How long does Mulligan Stew last in the fridge? Properly stored in an airtight container, Mulligan Stew will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld.
• Is this really a ZeroPoint Weight Watchers recipe? Yes! For members following the Weight Watchers program, lean beef sirloin, along with almost all non-starchy vegetables and lean broths, are designated as ZeroPoint foods. The small amount of potato and olive oil are factored in, but due to the generous serving size and nutrient density of the other ingredients, a full serving of this stew is indeed a ZeroPoint meal. Always verify with the official WW app for the most accurate and personalized point values.

Related Recipes to Explore

If you enjoyed this hearty Mulligan Stew, we invite you to explore more of our delicious and healthy stew and soup recipes that are perfect for any occasion:

Mexican Beef Stew

Shepherd’s Pie Soup

Beef Stew