Harvest Beef Stew

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Harvest Beef Stew

January 30, 2026

Post-op bariatric surgery patients are sometimes hesitant to go for beef dishes after surgery. Thick pieces of stew meat, like this Harvest Beef Stew, can be intimidating! Beef is dense and can hit hard or heavy. So how do you eat beef stew after surgery?

A few important tips include focusing on really small bite sizes (think a black bean) and to cook it in liquid.

I like the crushed tomatoes in this recipe (diced works too) to keep moisture in the beef. However, keep in mind the liquid is for the cooking process, but not ideal when eating. Having a soup or a more liquid based stew is much like drinking with your meals. The liquid will move the food through your stomach pouch faster leaving you hungry sooner!

Cook the meat in liquid, take small bites and avoid having the liquid itself. It is certainly different than before surgery, but those tips can help you enjoy dishes like this AND feel the prolonged fullness you want to control hunger or snacking in between meals.

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Harvest Beef Stew

Recipe by: Steph Wagner (Bariatric Food Coach)
Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 mins; Cook Time: 4 hours; Total Time: 4 hours & 15 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 lb stew meat 1 inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup light Italian dressing
  • 1/2 lb fresh mushrooms sliced
  • 1 large green bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 14 oz diced tomatoes with Italian seasoning canned
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup water

Directions

  1. Heat dutch oven or large deep skillet on medium high heat. Add 2 tbsp dressing and meat; cook meat 2-3 min per side. Remove from pan and set aside. Can also do this using the Saute function of the Instant Pot®.
  2. To a slow cooker, add remaining dressing, mushrooms, bell peppers and onions. Add meat. Add tomatoes, water and Italian seasoning.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours if using a slow cooker. For pressure cooker use high pressure for 10 minutes and naturally release pressure for 5 minutes. Serve with a fork or slotted spoon to focus on the lean protein and veggies but less of the liquid (for longer fullness).

Nutritional Info

Calories 242; Carbohydrates 12 grams; Fat 9 grams; Protein 28 grams

Check out more from Steph of Bariatric Food Coach on ObesityHelp!

Harvest Beef Stew
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Steph Wagner MS, RDN has worked as a dietitian and food coach to bariatric patients since 2009. She is the co-founder Bariatricfoodcoach.com with her husband Kevin, a web developer. Together they've built an extensive, user-friendly website and community for post-op patients. Steph also has a published cookbook “Best Fork Forward: Everyday Dinners After Weight-Loss Surgery.” Read more articles by Steph!
Recipe Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated and may vary depending on the brands and quantities of ingredients used. If you have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or follow a specific nutrition plan, please review the ingredient list before consuming. All information on ObesityHelp.com is provided for general informational purposes only and should not replace consultation with a qualified medical professional. Please contact your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns related to your nutrition.