Pirate Stew
40 min
Dead simple weeknight stew the kids will actually get excited about. Beef, mushrooms, and kidney beans in a mildly spiced tomato broth — done in under 40 minutes.
stewbeeffor kids
Messy, saucy, and absolutely worth it — this American classic is one of those dinners the whole family actually gets excited about.
Instructions
- 1
Finely chop the onion and garlic.
- 2
Brown the ground beef, onion, and garlic in butter in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
- 3
Add the chopped tomatoes, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce, then let it simmer until the sauce thickens a bit. Season with salt and pepper.
- 4
Toast the buns in another pan until golden. Pile the meat mixture onto the buns, top with chopped flat-leaf parsley, and serve right away.
Per average serving
814
Calories
kcal
43.6
Protein
g
93.8
Carbs
g
26.6
Fat
g
14.7g
Fiber
13.4g
Sugar
1317mg
Sodium
Family Portions
2portions
Adults
2
Children
No children added
Ingredients
Per average serving
814
Calories
kcal
43.6
Protein
g
93.8
Carbs
g
26.6
Fat
g
14.7g
Fiber
13.4g
Sugar
1317mg
Sodium
Tips from the kitchen
- Drain off most of the fat after browning the beef. If you leave it all in, the sauce turns greasy instead of thickening properly.
- Don't rush step 3. Let it simmer until the liquid from the canned tomatoes cooks down and the mixture holds together on the bun. Watery sloppy joes slide right off.
- Toast the cut side of the rolls hard until they're golden. That bit of crust is the only thing stopping the bread from going soggy under all that sauce.
- Taste before you season. The ketchup and Worcestershire already bring salt, so you might need less than you think.
- Chop the parsley right before serving so it stays bright and doesn't wilt into the warm meat.
Ways to vary it
- Want a bit of heat? A pinch of chili flakes or a splash of hot sauce stirred into the simmering meat works well.
- Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or pork if that's what you've got. Cooking time stays about the same.
- A handful of grated cheddar melted over the meat just before you pile it on the buns is a nice optional touch.
Storage & leftovers
The meat mixture keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container. It freezes well for a couple of months, so freeze any extra in portions. Reheat in a pan over low heat with a splash of water to loosen it, and toast fresh buns rather than reheating old ones.
What to serve with it
Crispy fries or potato wedges are the classic move here. A few pickles or some coleslaw on the side cut through the sauce nicely.
UC
By Untrained ChefPublished 31 May 2026 · Updated 11 July 2026
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