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Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,017
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

How do you prepare beef stew?

I haven't cooked beef stew in years, and I'm planning to make some this weekend.  I'd like to use my LC Dutch oven.  I know most people have their own way of preparing it and probably don't use a recipe.  Any tips, tricks or advice you can give me will be appreciated.

 

Thank you.

~ house cat ~
Honored Contributor
Posts: 44,347
Registered: ‎01-08-2011

Re: How do you prepare beef stew?

@house_cat 

 

LOVE beef stew!!!  

 

I get the best stew meat at Sams.  (Really worth the fee, let me tell you.).

I do stew in a large crock pot with chopped up fresh mushrooms and large pieces of sweet onion.  I add a can of beef broth, some red wine, and a little garlic. 

 

I serve in in a bowl.

 

I get two evenings and can freeze some for another dinner.  

 

I serve with a salad or slaw and DH gets cornbread.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,857
Registered: ‎08-10-2013

Re: How do you prepare beef stew?

I buy stew meat and coat in salt, pepper and flour.  Put enough water or beef stock in pot just to cover meat and a little more.  I cook on low for 2 hours and make sure the water doesn't boil out.  

 

Then after the 2 hours I pour all the beef stock in the pot and cut up potatoes in nice size chunks, with chunks of carrots and throw in.  I like lots of potatoes so I put lots in.  I throw in a variety of seasonings along with salt and pepper.  Sometimes I put red wine in if I have some.  I also use Kitchen Bouquet to give the sauce a browner color.  Then I cook on medium until the potatoes are done.  Then I mix Bisquick dumplings and drop on top until done.  I use different seasonings all the time.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,845
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: How do you prepare beef stew?

I use a combo of beef broth and V-8 for liquids. I sear the very lean beef chunks first then put in a crock pot with corn, onion, shredded carrots, lima beans, peas, potatoes, a few drops of Tobasco sauce, salt, pepper, a drop or two of Worchestershire sauce, and kale or spinach if I have it.

 

I usually buy a bag of Mr Dell's frozen cubed potatoes. No additives, just potatoes. It saves time and you can't tell the difference in taste.

 

I'm not a fan of green beans but you can add them too. I don't like cooked chunks/slices of carrots so use shredded. 

 

If you need to make it stretch even further, add a strained and rinsed can of black beans. 

 

I always cook extra of everything so I can have leftovers. After 2-3 days, I'll package it into single serve containers and freeze them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,312
Registered: ‎05-15-2014

Re: How do you prepare beef stew?

I usually just cook a nice bottom round roast in the crockpot with beef broth, onions, carrots, salt pepper and potatoes.  (sometimes some fresh herbs)  Let it cook all day and it falls apart by itself practically.  I take some broth from the pot and make a nice gravy.   Make bowls and top with the gravy then I mix the leftovers in the rest of it.   

 It's a lovely fall/winter dish.  EnjoySmiley Happy

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,322
Registered: ‎04-08-2019

Re: How do you prepare beef stew?

[ Edited ]

I usually buy stew meat, but, once in awhile I buy a chuck roast and cut it up in bite size pieces.

Salt and pepper the meat and brown in a small amount of cooking oil. I then add 6-7 cups of water. Then add a large can of diced petite tomatoes,, a small can of tomato sauce, 2 medium russet potatoes cut into chunks, 2-3 carrots diced, a chopped onion, a tbsp. chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste. 

Cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender. Then reduce heat and let simmer for a couple of hours. Remove from heat and stir in a can of cream style corn.

Serve with hot buttered cornbread.

Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels here on earth to teach us to be better humans.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 26,586
Registered: ‎10-03-2011

Re: How do you prepare beef stew?

Before going keto, this is how I would make my beef stew.  

BEEF STEW

 

2 lbs. Beef stew meat, cut into cubes or bite size pieces

1 med. Onion, peeled, sliced and separated into rings

4 ribs of Celery, cut in chunks on the diagonal

6 Carrots, cleaned or peeled and cut into chunks (or 1 bag of baby carrots)

2 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. tapioca granules (for thickening)

½ Cup V-8 juice (tomato juice is fine but I like V-8 better)

 

Potatoes, peeled, cut into chunks and rinsed

 

Place meat in a casserole or baking dish.  Add the vegetables.  Blend salt, sugar and tapioca granules.  Sprinkle mixture over the vegetables.  Pour on the V-8 juice.  Cover the pan with a well-sealing lid or aluminum foil sealing edges well.  Bake in a 250° oven for

4 hours.  If you like potatoes in your stew add them for the last hour or so, making sure you cover the pan again.

 

You can also just make mashed potatoes on the side or leave the potatoes out and serve the stew over egg noodles.

 

If you prefer to use a crock pot, get it started around 10:30 or 11:00 AM on the low setting and it will be ready for dinner.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,017
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: How do you prepare beef stew?

Thank you all for taking such time and care to post your recipes and techniques.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to sign onto the forum for the past week and can only now respond.  I did make the stew, in my LC Dutch oven and it was pretty darn yummy, if I do say so myself. DH doesn't care for the potatoes in the stew, so I served it over some rustic Yukon Gold mashed potatoes.  My son and DIL joined us and we still had enough for a second night and lunch for me the next day.  You can't beat that!

~ house cat ~
Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,822
Registered: ‎09-01-2010

Re: How do you prepare beef stew?

@house_cat 

Hope your beef stew was tasty!   

Stew is a favorite here; beef or pork, always with celery, potatoes, carrots, and onions.   I do not use a recipe and make it by whatever I'm in the mood for that day; sometimes I make it spicy, and add tomatoes.   Other times more traditional with just thickened broth, made with a roux.  

I do not buy a roast, or pre-cut stew meat to make a pot of stew.   Stew here is made with leftover beef or pork.   

Honored Contributor
Posts: 44,347
Registered: ‎01-08-2011

Re: How do you prepare beef stew?

@house_cat 

 

Your issue with those that dislike stew is probably refrigerated or frozen stew, potatoes get mealy because they turn to starch.