When the first cool wind blows and the leaves crunch underfoot, the American table shifts into a season of coziness. Fall means sweaters, bonfires, football games—and food that warms us from the inside out. And no dish does it better than beef stew.

Beef stew is more than a meal; it’s a story that’s been simmering for centuries. It connects us to history, to tradition, and to the comfort of gathering together. At Kitchen Switchen®, we’re taking that story, stirring in a little sass, and serving it pilgrim style—right inside a pumpkin. Because when it comes to cozy food, we’re always “switchen” it up.

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A Stew Older Than America

While Americans often think of beef stew as the ultimate fall comfort food, the truth is that it’s been around in one form or another for thousands of years. Ancient cultures from Asia to Europe discovered that slow simmering tough cuts of meat in broth not only made them tender but also created a flavorful, soul-soothing dish.

• Medieval Europe had its own rustic stews made with root vegetables and game.

• France perfected boeuf bourguignon, beef braised with red wine, mushrooms, and herbs.

• Hungary gave us goulash, spiced with paprika.

• Ireland brought hearty Irish stew, loaded with potatoes.

America’s version was born out of practicality. Immigrants brought their traditions, and settlers adapted to what the land offered. Toss in meat, add vegetables, cover with broth, and simmer until the kitchen smells like heaven.

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Why Beef Stew Feels Like Fall in America

If you ask most Americans, they’ll tell you beef stew belongs to autumn. But why? Here are a few reasons it’s earned its fall crown:

1. Seasonal Ingredients: Carrots, potatoes, onions, and squash are fall harvest staples. Stew makes the most of what’s fresh.

2. Comfort Factor: Shorter days and cooler nights call for something warm, hearty, and filling. Stew checks every box.

3. Tradition: Many of us grew up with beef stew as a family dinner staple on chilly nights. The nostalgia is strong.

4. Slow Simmer Magic: Fall is when we welcome back slower cooking—soups, stews, braises—that we avoid during summer heat.

Stew isn’t just food. It’s a signal that fall has truly arrived.

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Switchen It Up: From Bowls to Pumpkins

Here at Kitchen Switchen®, we love honoring tradition while giving it a twist. So when it comes to beef stew, we’re ditching the ordinary bowls and ladling it into pumpkins. Yes, pumpkins.

Why? Because nothing says fall like eating straight from the season itself. Serving stew pilgrim style—right inside a roasted pumpkin—feels rustic, communal, and deeply autumnal. It’s a nod to history (the pilgrims did use gourds and pumpkins as cooking vessels), but it’s also fun, sustainable, and a total showstopper at the table.

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Fall Beef Stew in a Pumpkin (Kitchen Switchen® Style)

This recipe is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for cozy gatherings. The pumpkin not only serves as a bowl but also infuses the stew with a subtle sweetness.

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Bowl:

• 1 medium sugar pumpkin (3–5 lbs), top cut off & seeds scooped out

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Pinch of salt & pepper

For the Stew:

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 large onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 carrots, sliced into chunks

• 2 celery stalks, chopped

• 2 cups peeled & cubed fresh pumpkin (from another pumpkin or use butternut squash)

• 2 potatoes, cubed

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tsp dried rosemary

• 1 bay leaf

• 4 cups beef broth

• 1 cup red wine (optional, can sub broth)

• 1 cup frozen peas

• Salt & pepper to taste

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pumpkin Bowl

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Rub the inside of your hollowed pumpkin with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

3. Place pumpkin (with lid on) on a baking sheet and roast for 35–40 minutes until tender but sturdy.

Step 2: Make the Stew

1. In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil. Brown beef cubes on all sides. Remove and set aside.

2. In the same pot, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until fragrant.

3. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf.

4. Add cubed pumpkin, potatoes, browned beef, broth, and wine. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

5. Cover and cook 1½ to 2 hours, until beef is tender.

6. Stir in peas during the last 10 minutes. Season with salt & pepper.

Step 3: Serve Pilgrim Style

1. Carefully ladle hot beef stew into the roasted pumpkin.

2. Place pumpkin in the center of the table.

3. Serve straight from the pumpkin for a rustic, festive experience.

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Why Serving in a Pumpkin Matters

It’s more than just cute presentation—it’s a mindset. Serving food in pumpkins connects us back to nature and reminds us of the resourcefulness of those who came before us. The pilgrims didn’t have fancy Dutch ovens or soup tureens. They had gourds, pumpkins, and whatever the harvest provided.

By returning to those roots—even just once in a while—we embrace simplicity, sustainability, and gratitude.

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Kitchen Switchen® Philosophy: Stirring Tradition with Fun

We’re not about stuffy traditions here. We’re about stirring things up, making them our own, and sharing joy through food. This beef stew in a pumpkin is classic meets creative. It honors history but serves it with a wink and a smile.

We like to say:
 “Sautéed with Sustainability. Rebelled with Resale.” 

That’s our Kitchen Switchen® promise. Even something as humble as beef stew can be reborn, reimagined, and celebrated in a fresh way.

Beef stew is more than a recipe. It’s a symbol of fall, of family, and of slowing down long enough to savor what matters. When you serve it in a pumpkin, you’re not just filling bowls—you’re creating memories, sparking conversation, and honoring both the past and the present.

So this fall, grab a pumpkin, roast it up, and ladle in that rich, hearty beef stew. Do it pilgrim style. Do it Kitchen Switchen® style. And most importantly, do it your style.

Because we only get so many autumns. Let’s make every one delicious.