A hearty beef stew is both a tasty and affordable dinner option. Stews come under the umbrella of slow cooked beef dishes and as such any beef cut that shines in slow cooking will work well. This is the time to use a cheaper cut as while they are tougher, they turn into melt-in-your-mouth pieces of beef once cooked over a longer period of time.
Collagen is the key
When choosing a cut of beef for your stew recipe, you want to look for collagen-rich beef, which comes from the harder working parts of the animal. Stronger muscles may have less fat but they have high levels of connective tissue, which results in the collagen.
It is easy to fall into the trap that tender is always better, but when cooked over an extended period of time, the fat in tender cuts will melt away too quickly, turning the meat firm and chewy.
Collagen is tough when raw, but the cooking process and the combination of time, low heat and fluid will break down the connective tissues, including the protein collagen, which would otherwise make the meat tough when cooked quickly. The collagen will then melt into gelatin, which is what gives you a moist and tender piece of meat. Added bonus: this gelatin not only releases into the meat itself, but seeps into the sauce, giving it a deep flavour and body.
Go for the chuck
The most common beef used for stew is chuck steak, also known as gravy beef or braising steak.
Beef chuck comes from the forequarter of the animal consisting of parts of the neck, shoulder blade and upper arm. It is easy to find and it’s affordable, making it a great choice for your stew. Chuck has high levels of connective tissue and as such will become moist as it releases high levels of gelatin. In addition to the connective tissue, it has a good amount of marbling and low external fat.
How to cook a beef stew
When cooking your stew it’s important to brown and caramelise the meat first. This will create added depth and flavour to the whole stew. You’ll want to brown the beef and then make the stew in the same pan, without cleaning it.
When browning the beef, sear in batches and don’t overcrowd the pan. This technique will give each piece enough space to perfectly caramelise and you won’t accidentally steam the meat.
Once you’ve added all of your ingredients, you’ll want to simmer the stew at a low heat for two to three hours. Give it a taste-test at the two-hour mark and if the meat isn’t tender enough just extend the cook time until the meat is falling apart. If you’re bulking up the dish with vegetables, we recommend saving them to add towards the end of the cook so they don’t get overly soft.
To make a healthier stew you can skim the fat off the top before serving, or if you’ve made a batch in advance wait until the stew cools in the fridge, which will cause the fat on the top to harden, making it much easier to get off.
cut of beef. The typical chuck steak is a rectangular cut, about 2.5 cm (1 inch) thick and containing parts of the shoulder bones, and is often known as a "7-bone steak," as the shape of the shoulder bone in cross-section resembles the numeral '7'.
, also known as gravy beef or braising steak. Beef chuck comes from the forequarter of the animal consisting of parts of the neck, shoulder blade and upper arm. It is easy to find and it's affordable, making it a great choice for your stew.
Chuck. Chuck is one of the leaner types of beef, making it perfect for stews because it melts into delicious pieces as it cooks. A chuck roast has a large amount of connective tissue, which allows it to retain its moisture during the cooking process.
The most important key to making stew meat tender is being sure to cook it for a long time. If you want super tender beef, you'll need to cook it on a low heat in a Dutch oven on the stove or a slow cooker for at least a few hours.
Try adding soy sauce or Worcestershire for extra savory (or umami) flavor, a touch of honey or brown sugar for sweetness, lemon zest or vinegar for brightness or chili powder or smoked paprika for spice and depth.
Chuck is very moist and doesn't dry out during [slow cooking] because of its release of gelatin.” Whether you're using chuck steak or chuck roast, cutting the beef into smaller chunks (1 to 2 inches in length) allows it to cook to perfection in the context of the stew.
Add remainder of the beef broth; bring to a simmer before adding carrots, potatoes, celery, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, basil, paprika, and garlic powder. Bring liquid to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cook stew at a simmer until the meat and vegetables are very tender, 3 to 4 hours.
Longer cooking times, such as simmering or slow cooking, allow the collagen to break down gradually, resulting in tender meat. However, cooking at too high of a temperature or for too short of a time can lead to tough and chewy meat. When meat is exposed to high heat, the collagen fibers contract and become tougher.
Seems like a no-brainer, right? The choice becomes easier when you realize that simple baking soda can be an ideal meat tenderizer that helps to bring out all the aromas and flavors in every sizzling beef stew or charburger.
Very simply put, browning equals flavor. As beef sears, the outside caramelizes, adding extra flavor to the beef, not to mention creating these tasty little browned bits that form on the bottom of the pot. Without browning, the finished stew just won't taste as good and the sauce won't be as dark.
What is Stew Meat? Stew meat mostly comes from the tougher, larger parts of animals like cows, elk, deer, or pigs. Beef stew meat typically comes from the large shoulder of a cow, more commonly called “chuck”. But roast, top and bottom round, tips, and even steak can be used as stew meat.
We've even tried using cuts of meat that are good for braising—like sirloin—and they just didn't break down in the same way in a stew. You're left with chunks of tight, dry meat rather than meltingly tender beef. The only cut you should use? Chuck.
The most common beef used for stew is chuck steak, also known as gravy beef or braising steak. Beef chuck comes from the forequarter of the animal consisting of parts of the neck, shoulder blade and upper arm. It is easy to find and it's affordable, making it a great choice for your stew.
After you brown the meat and cook your aromatics, simply stir in a few tablespoons of tomato paste and heat it gently to amplify its flavors before continuing with your recipe—it's a budget-friendly, simple trick that makes all the difference.
I contacted Laurence to get the lowdown on why she adds tomato paste to her beef stew. "I include tomato paste in many braised recipes because it adds a depth of flavor without increasing the liquid quantity in the dish," Laurence explains.
Chuck. Chuck steak was practically designed for slow cooking. It comes from the shoulder and upper arm of the cow, so it's done a lot of work over the life of the animal — with its abundant collagen, it's the type of cut that gets tough when grilled quickly, but becomes tender and juicier the longer you cook it.
There's a reason why chuck is so popular in beef stew! Cube up your meat—cutting it into smaller chunks breaks up that connective tissue—and make a crock pot dinner. Remember, though, that since brisket is a tougher cut of meat, it'll need an even longer cooking time than chuck roast. Your patience will pay off.
Stew meat usually contains a tougher cut of meat (such as a chuck or rump roast) which is best suited for making Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Beef Tips should be prepared with a more tender cut of meat such as sirloin or tenderloin, unless they're being prepared in the Slow Cooker.
A chuck roast is cut from the shoulder and neck region of the animal and may be labeled chuck roast, shoulder steak, boneless chuck roast, or chuck shoulder pot roast. Slightly fattier than brisket or round, chuck has a richer taste but is higher in saturated fats.
Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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