Creating a Soup & Stew Routine (Meet the Core 5)

We talked last week about how soups & stews are a lifesaver for healthy eaters.

I mean, right?? They're easy, satisfying, and nutritious.

About the easy part: I found it helpful to have 5 core items on hand at all times when I was eating super-healthy.

I appreciated not having to think about this part of my list when I shopped—these items were on mental "auto-order" every time.

The Core 5 for Soups & Stews:

1. Loose sausage
2. Ground beef
3. Whole chicken broilers
4. Stew beef (Beef stew cubes or Beef kabobs)
5. Bone broth (VA only)

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So, now that you've got the Core 5 in the house, what should you do with them? Easy: 2 soup nights per week, make big batches (bulk up on meats & veggies), and store leftovers in canning jars for lunches.

Using the Core 5:

Loose sausage - Stash a variety of flavors. Google "soup recipe with [whichever flavor] sausage." Pick a recipe & print. Throw in more meat & veg than called for. Here's a favorite.

Ground beef - SO many possibilities. Do a Google search, pick a recipe, print it out. Throw in more meat & veg than called for. Here's a great one to try.

Whole chicken broilers - BONUS! 2 meals in one. Night 1: Cook the whole chicken and add sides. (If you have one, Instant Pots make chicken dinners SO easy...) After dinner: Shred and store leftover meat, start bone broth with carcass. (See below) Night 2: Bone broth + shredded meat = chicken soup. Add lots of meat and veggies.

Stew Beef (Beef stew cubes or beef kabobs) - No surprise here: it's beef stew time. This recipe is fantastic, or Google around for unique twists and variations.

Bone broth - Buy it premade, or make your own. It's so super easy to make - instructions are included here.

A few more tips:

• Pair soups with a big salad topped with chopped veggies, homemade dressing, seeds, and crumbled raw milk cheese
• Another tasty pairing: soup & whole grain (or grain-free!) muffins or cornbread
• A handful of nuts and raisins makes a great dessert
• Boost nutrition with soup add-ins like healthy oils, pastured collagen powder, mushrooms, cabbage, beans and grains (if you eat them).

Do you have a favorite soup or stew recipe? Comment below and share it with us!