Low Sodium Beef Stew

This Low-Sodium Beef Stew is Your Holiday Season Sanity Saver!

The holiday season is officially upon us, and with it comes all the joy, the sparkle, and let's be honest... a good dose of utter chaos. Between shopping, decorating, party planning, and trying to remember what day it is, the last thing any of us needs is a complicated dinner recipe that takes hours and leaves us with a mountain of dishes.

And if you're like me, trying to navigate the holiday food landscape while keeping an eye on your sodium intake? That's a whole extra layer of challenge!

But fear not, my friends! I’ve got a recipe that’s about to become your new best friend this December. It’s comforting, it’s delicious, and most importantly, it’s incredibly easy and perfectly low in sodium.

Introducing: My Savory Sirloin & Mushroom Beef Stew – The Ultimate Low-Sodium, Easy Weeknight (or Weekend!) Meal

I know, I know, "beef stew" might sound like a big undertaking, but trust me on this one. I designed this recipe specifically for those moments when you crave something hearty and wholesome but have zero energy for culinary acrobatics. Think of it as a warm, savory hug in a bowl, without all the hidden salt that often lurks in traditional stew recipes.

Why you're going to LOVE this stew, especially right now:

• Super Low Sodium: We're talking complete control over the salt here. By using unsalted beef broth and fresh ingredients, you can season to your preference without worrying about excessive sodium from pre-packaged mixes or ingredients.

• Seriously Simple: If you can chop, stir, and wait, you can make this stew. No fancy techniques, no obscure ingredients. It's truly a dump-and-simmer kind of meal.

• Quick Cook Time: Unlike stews that demand hours of simmering, we're using sirloin steak which cooks up beautifully in about 30 minutes. Perfect for those busy weeknights!

• Rich, Deep Flavor (Without the Salt!): My secret weapons here are dried mushroom powder and a touch of Dijon mustard. These two ingredients are absolute powerhouses for adding incredible umami and tang, making you forget all about the missing salt.

• One Pot Wonder: Less dishes = more time for holiday movie marathons. Am I right?

Let's Get Cooking! Your New Favorite Low-Sodium Holiday Comfort Meal

Here’s the recipe that’s going to make your holiday season a little less stressful and a lot more delicious.

Savory Sirloin & Mushroom Beef Stew

• Prep time: 20 minutes (mostly chopping!)

• Cook time: 45 minutes

• Servings: 4

• 250 mg sodium per serving 580 Calories

Ingredients

• 1½ lbs sirloin steak, trimmed and cut into ½-inch cubes

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1 onion, chopped

• 1 lb potatoes, large diced

• 2 carrots, sliced thick

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary

• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 3 cups unsalted beef broth

• 2 tbsp dried mushroom powder

• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard (check labels for lower sodium options!)

• Freshly ground black pepper to taste 

Instructions

1. Sear the Beef: Pat your sirloin cubes dry and season lightly with black pepper. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the beef in a single layer (work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding, which steams the meat instead of searing it!) and brown on all sides. This creates delicious flavor! Remove the beef and set aside on a plate.

2. Sauté the Veggies: Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in your chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until it starts to soften. Add the chunky carrots and diced potatoes, cooking for another 2 minutes.

3. Flavor Boosters: Stir in the tomato paste, dried rosemary, and that magical mushroom powder. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly – you'll smell all those amazing aromas! Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1–2 minutes. This coats the veggies and helps thicken our stew later.

4. Liquid Gold: Slowly pour in the unsalted beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot with your spoon to loosen up all those delicious browned bits (that's called "fond" and it's pure flavor!). Stir in the Dijon mustard.

5. Simmer Time: Return the seared beef (and any juices that collected on the plate) to the pot. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it gently simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until your potatoes are fork-tender and the sauce has thickened beautifully.

6. Taste and Adjust: Now's the moment! Taste your stew. If you're managing sodium, you might find you don't need much, or any, added salt thanks to the mushroom powder and Dijon. Add a tiny pinch of salt if desired, and more black pepper to your liking.

Serve it Up!

This stew is absolutely perfect on its own, but it’s also fantastic with a side of crusty, low-sodium bread for dipping, or even over a bed of brown rice.

I promise, this easy low sodium beef stew recipe will become a go-to in your kitchen, especially when the holiday hustle has you feeling drained. It’s proof that you don't have to sacrifice flavor or your health goals just because life gets busy!

Give it a try and let me know in the comments how you liked it!

Happy (and healthy!) holidays,

The Loso Gal