Are You Using the Right Beef Stew Meat?

Would it surprise y'all to learn that cheaper is better? When it comes to beef stew meat, it's true! If y'all try using a tender cut of beefiness, that deadening-cooked stew will plow out chewy and tough every time. We know that totally sounds astern, merely it turns out that tougher, less-expensive cuts of beefiness are where it's at.

(Psst: THIS is the mode to go the best meat—and deals—from your butcher.)

If ribeyes, top sirloins, and beef tenderloin are calling to you at the butcher counter, put away your beef stew recipe and serve up steak and potatoes instead. If y'all simmer those tender cuts for long periods of time, all that beautifully marbled fat volition just melt away into the goop. Without the fat, the meat seizes up, leaving you with tough, chewy bites of meat that certainly won't live upwardly to their price tag.

Here are the cuts of beefiness every home cook should know.

What Are the Best Cuts of Beefiness for Stew?

In that location'due south no such thing as "beef stew meat" (although, you'll notice many butcher shops behave pre-cut options labeled with this name). You should definitely enquire the butcher what type of beef it is, because it could come from a few different fundamental cuts. The best (and to the lowest degree expensive) beef stew meat comes from the front shoulder, likewise known as the chuck. The rear muscle (also chosen the circular) would definitely make a great stew, but we like chuck better considering it has more connective tissue.

Why Exercise Tough Cuts Work All-time?

Unlike tender steaks, the tough cuts come from well-worked muscles. These stronger muscles have lots of collagen-rich connective tissue. That connective tissue isn't like intermuscular fatty: It won't just leech out into your goop. Instead, it melts into the meat and releases gelatin, giving everything a nice torso and a rich mouthfeel. Sounds pretty peachy, right? The just caveat is that you take to simmer tough cuts at very depression temperatures for hours (and hours) to get all the practiced stuff to break downwards. When y'all do, it'southward like finding the pot of aureate at the cease of the rainbow because the meat will be perfectly melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Because the chuck releases more gelatin every bit it cooks, it tastes moister than the round, making it our favorite, well-nigh economic cut for stew meat. If y'all can't find a chuck roast, information technology might as well be labeled as a chuck-middle roast or a chuck shoulder. If yous're looking for os-in options to add extra flavor to your broth, look for bone-in curt ribs or oxtail. The latter volition requite you lot a super gelatin-rich broth, though, which some people find off-putting.

Browse our collection of beef stew recipes to put your new knowledge to the examination!

These Stew Recipes Would Make Grandma Proud

Slow-Simmered Burgundy Beef Stew

My mother in law shared this recipe with me about 25 years ago. Ever since then, information technology'due south been a go-to whenever I need proficient food without a lot of fussing. —Mary Lou Timpson, Colorado City, Arizona

Turkey Dumpling Stew

My mom made this stew when I was young, and it was always a striking. Since it's not fourth dimension-consuming to make I tin can fix it on a weekend for our children, who love the tender dumplings. —Becky Mohr, Appleton, Wisconsin

Mushroom-Bean Bourguignon

In our family, boeuf bourguignon has been a staple for generations. I wanted a meatless alternative. All this dish needs is a French baguette. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California

Ancient Grain Beef Stew

My version of beef stew is comfort food with a salubrious twist. I utilise lentils and red quinoa rather than potatoes. If leftover stew seems as well thick, add more beefiness stock when reheating. —Margaret Roscoe, Keystone Heights, Florida

Back-scratch Chicken Stew

My Grandma Inky grew upward in India and passed down this recipe to my mother, who then passed information technology down to me. The recipe brings dorsum addicted memories of the family unit gathered effectually the tabular array, enjoying this delicious repast and catching up on 1 another's 24-hour interval. I tweaked the ingredients a bit to fit my toddler's taste buds, merely information technology'southward but as scrumptious as Grandma's own. —Teresa Flowers, Sacramento, California

Ham and Bean Stew

You only need v ingredients to fix this thick and flavorful stew. Information technology's and so easy to make and always a favorite with my family. I elevation bowls of it with a sprinkling of shredded cheese. —Teresa D'Amato, East Granby, Connecticut

Hungarian Goulash

Talk nearly your heirloom recipes! My grandmother made this Hungarian casserole recipe for my female parent when she was a kid, and Mom fabricated information technology for us to savor. Paprika and caraway add together wonderful flavor and sour cream gives it a creamy richness. It's simply scrumptious! —Marcia Doyle, Pompano, Florida

Creamy Bratwurst Stew

A rich sauce coats this hearty combination of potatoes, carrots and bratwurst chunks. I adjusted a baked stew recipe that appeared in a newspaper. This is then comforting on cold winter evenings. —Susan Holmes, Germantown, Wisconsin

Cassoulet for Today

French cassoulet is traditionally cooked for hours. This version of the rustic dish offers the aforementioned homey taste in less time. It's easy on the wallet, besides. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida

Spicy Beefiness Vegetable Stew

This zesty ground beef and vegetable soup is flavorful and fast to set. It makes a complete meal when served with warm cornbread, sourdough breadstuff or French breadstuff if yous enjoy a supper with a side. —Lynnette Davis, Tullahoma, Tennessee

Squash & Chicken Stew

We created a satisfying stew that's nutritious, loaded with season and family-friendly. Slowly simmer chicken thighs with stewed tomatoes, butternut squash, green peppers and onion for meal-in-i convenience. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Dark-green Republic of chile Stew

Peppers give this down-home green chili stew a wonderful rich flavour your family volition love. —Mary Spill, Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico

Lamb Stew

My grandmother used to make this stew as a special Sunday meal. Information technology's an unforgettable care for from Ireland. —Vickie Desourdy, Washington, North Carolina

Barley Risotto and Beefiness Stroganoff

I was missing my Russian grandma's barley porridge and beef stroganoff, so I combined the two dishes. Cook the barley using the risotto method to keep the grains whole and irresistibly chewy. —Tatiana Kireeva, New York, New York

Chicken Stew with Gnocchi

My chicken stew makes the house smell wonderful as information technology gently bubbling in the slow cooker. One whiff and my family heads to the kitchen to see if information technology's ready. —Marge Drake, Juniata, Nebraska

Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

When there'due south a chill in the air, nothing beats this Crock-Pot beef stew. Seasoned with thyme and dry out mustard, the hearty slow-cooker beef stew is chock-full of tender carrots, potatoes and meat. —Earnestine Wilson, Waco, Texas

Slow-Cooker Burgundy Beef

When my adult children are coming over for dinner, this is the asking. All iii of them, and their significant others, dearest this dish. Yum! — Urilla Cheverie, Alfred, Maine

Sweet Potato Stew

Beefiness goop and herbs complement the potatoes' subtle sugariness in this hearty stew that's perfect for fall. — Helen Vail, Glenside, Pennsylvania

New year's day's Oyster Stew

My husband is a old member of the Air Force's Thunderbird squad, and I developed this recipe after he invited the whole squad to our firm on short notice for an breezy dinner. It was very easy-it was done in 45 minutes, and it turned out to be the best oyster stew I'd ever made! —Christa Scott, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Fiesta-Twisted Brunswick Stew

Traditionally made with game meat, this updated Brunswick stew, using spicy sausage, is a modernistic mom'due south all-time friend. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

Taco Stew

The ingredients are simple, but together they make this awesome stew. If y'all want to a picayune added crunch, trounce a few tortilla fries on top of each bowl. —Suzanne Francis, Marysville, Washington

Quicker Chicken and Dumplings

Ready in 30 minutes, this easy craven and dumplings recipe takes advantage of convenience items and uses time-saving, drop-fashion dumplings. —Willie DeWaard, Coralville, Iowa

Beef Bourguignon

This stovetop stew is loaded with taste, merely is piece of cake to practise. While the name sounds fancy, even a get-go cook can main it. It's our traditional holiday meal.—Elodie Rosinovsky, Brighton, Massachusetts

Sweet Irish potato Lentil Stew

I fell in love with the spicy aromas in this slow-cooked lentil stew. Add together whatsoever ingredients you take on hand, similar zucchini, spinach, kale and corn. —Heather Greyness, Piffling Rock, Arkansas

Hearty Beef & Sugariness Spud Stew

I have fond memories of growing up in an Irish gaelic-Italian family and learning to melt from my grandparents. Beefy stew reminds me of their precious contributions. —Renee White potato, Smithtown, New York

Spring-Thyme Craven Stew

During a long wintertime (and spring), my husband and I were in need of something warm, comforting and bright. This craven was the perfect thing. Information technology fills the house with the olfactory property of domicile when Mom would make chicken soup, with a picayune something actress. —Amy Chase, Vanderhoof, British Columbia

Beef Stew with Pasta

I have happy memories of my mother's love apple-y beefiness stew, and then I combined her recipe with a bunch of fall veggies I needed to employ. The result was a fun, fill-you-up dinner. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

Braised Pork Stew

Pork tenderloin becomes amazingly tender in this braised stew. It's a fantastic meal for a cold winter night. —Nella Parker, Hersey, Michigan

Weekday Beef Stew

Beef stew capped with flaky puff pastry adds comfort to the weeknight menu—my family is always glad to see this meal. Brand a salad and call your oversupply to the table. —Daniel Anderson, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Slow-Cooked Lentil Stew

This vegetarian stew is perfect when you desire to take a break from meat. Adding the cream at the end gives it a smoother texture.—Michelle Collins, Suffolk Virginia

Tedious-Cooked Stuffed Pepper Stew

This is my get-to pepper stew. When my garden yields greenish peppers, I dice and freeze them for those common cold, blustery days to come up.—Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri

Vacation Beef Bourguignon

When we married four decades ago, I found this bourguignon recipe in a French cookbook. My husband and I still serve information technology for very special occasions. —Lyn Robitaille, E Hartland, Connecticut

Stovetop Root Vegetable Beef Stew

To me, the definition of "cozy" is a pot of tender beefiness simmering with sugariness potatoes and parsnips. It doesn't go improve than that. —Beth Rossos, Estacada, Oregon

Mainly Mushroom Beef Carbonnade

This is the ultimate comfort food, an earth-and-turf philharmonic that smells delicious while cooking and tastes like home. The mushrooms taste and then compact, you lot tin decrease the corporeality of beef and add more portabellos if you lot like. —Susan Asanovic, Wilton, Connecticut

Cazuela

I learned to make this dish while nosotros were living in Republic of chile for a few months. We grow extra butternut squash in our garden only for this recipe. —Louise Schmid, Marshall, Minnesota

Beef Stew Provencal

When I was immature, my favorite nutrient to order in a eating place was beef stew. My female parent and I decided to create our own and experimented with dissimilar ingredients until nosotros came up with this recipe. Everyone liked this dull cooker version so much that now it'south a tradition every time the whole family is together. —Chelsey Larsen, Sparks, Nevada

Ravin' Adept Stew

This stew is loaded with ingredients. Information technology's sure to fill upward the kids before they head out trick-or-treating, and the family unit enjoys information technology all season long! —Shirley Smith, Yorba Linda, California

African Peanut Sweet Potato Stew

Back when I was in higher, my mom made an addicting sugariness spud and peanut stew. I shared it with friends, and at present all of us serve it to our ain kids. They all love it, of course. —Alexis Scatchell, Niles, Illinois

Dull-Cooked Hearty Jambalaya

I dearest anything with Cajun spices, so I came upward with this slow-cooker jambalaya that'due south merely every bit good equally that served in restaurants. If you lot can't find Andouille sausage, hot links, smoked sausage or chorizo will as well work. I like to serve it with warm cornbread and garnished with sliced green onions. —Jennifer Fulk, Moreno Valley, California

Pork Republic of chile Verde

Pork slowly stews with jalapenos, onion, green enchilada sauce and spices in this season-packed Mexican dish. It's wonderful on its own or stuffed in a warm tortilla with sour cream, grated cheese or olives on the side. —Kimberly Burke, Chico, California

Artichoke Beef Stew

The recipe for this special stew was given to me by a dear friend before she moved to another state. She served it with dumplings, simply my hubby prefers noodles. —Janell Schmidt, Athelstane, Wisconsin

Hearty Brunswick Stew

Similar a thick, hearty soup, this stew is packed with tender chicken and an heart-catching combination of vegetables. I could never await patiently to eat when Mother was cooking this stew. —Milded Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas

Southwestern Beef Barley Stew

Hearty and like shooting fish in a barrel to fix, this thick stew has a comforting, chili-similar season. It's my best barley recipe. I'yard sure you lot'll agree that information technology's a tasty dish. —Lisa Kolenich, Regina, Saskatchewan

Slow Cooker Beef Vegetable Stew

Come up home to warm comfort food! This vegetable beefiness stew is based on my mom'due south wonderful recipe, simply I adjusted it for the slow cooker. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan to each basin for a nice finishing touch. —Marcella West, Washburn, Illinois

Turkey Biscuit Stew

This chunky stew makes a hearty supper, peculiarly in the fall and wintertime. It'salso a great way to use extra turkey during the holidays. —Lori Schlecht, Wimbledon, North Dakota

Favorite Hamburger Stew

I got this hamburger stew recipe from a woman at our church, Lois Henry, when I needed a fashion to use up our bounty of home-canned tomatoes. My hubby loves it, and I like that it's piece of cake to warm up for a carefree dinner in the wintertime months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota

Great Northern Bean Stew

This thick and hearty stew with keen northern beans is certain to chase the winter chills abroad. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas

Stephanie's Slow-Cooker Stew

Showtime this warming i-pot meal before you head out for the twenty-four hours. By the time yous get home, the well-seasoned meat will be tender and mouthwatering. —Stephanie Rabbitt-Schappacher, Cincinnati, Ohio

Beef & Mushroom Braised Stew

Every spring, my family heads out to our timber acreage to collect morel mushrooms, and then nosotros cook up this stew. Nosotros use morels, of course, just baby portobellos or push button mushrooms or will work, too. —Amy Wertheim, Atlanta, Illinois

Sausage & Kale Lentil Stew

I made a pot of this awesome soup when visiting my sister and her family unit. Now, I'll bring information technology along when I finish past or pack up a few containers for my nephew, who appreciates a home-cooked repast while he's off at higher. —Tiffany Ihle, Bronx, New York

Moroccan Vegetable Chicken Tagine

Take a trip to Kingdom of morocco with this rich, exotic dish. A tagine is a Northward African slow-cooked stew named subsequently the pot it's cooked in.—Gustation of Home Exam Kitchen

Lentil & Chicken Sausage Stew

This hearty and healthy stew will warm your family unit correct down to their toes! Serve with cornbread or rolls to soak upward every concluding drib. —January Valdez, Chicago, Illinois

Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

Smoked turkey sausage and red pepper flakes add zip to this saucy, slow-cooked version of the New Orleans classic. For extra heat, add red pepper sauce at the tabular array. —Julia Bushree, Georgetown, Texas

Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Stew

Shh! Don't tell anyone! This recipe is so uncomplicated, only you'd never know it. My husband, who commonly doesn't similar craven, asks for this dish regularly. —Mary Watkins, Little Elm, Texas

Satisfying Beefiness Stew

This beefiness stew is then hearty and tastes even meliorate the adjacent twenty-four hours—if there are leftovers! It goes great with cornbread or any crusty loaf. —Abbey Mueller, Enid, Oklahoma

Satay-Style Pork Stew

Thai cuisine features flavors that are hot and sour, salty and sweet. This one-dish pork satay balances all of them using ginger and scarlet pepper flakes, rice vinegar, garlic, lime juice and creamy peanut butter. —Nicole Werner, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Southwestern Craven & Lima Edible bean Stew

I love to have my girl, son-in-law and grandchildren over for this supper. They make me so happy with their compliments or but by going to fill their bowls again. It's a skillful-for-you hit. —Pam Corder, Monroe, Louisiana

Squash and Lentil Lamb Stew

My family lived in New Zealand many years ago. Every Sun my mother made a lamb stew—it was Dad's favorite! I changed the recipe to adapt my family'southward more than mod palates, simply it still seems but every bit exotic and succulent. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Chicken Vegetable Back-scratch

This condolement dish gets fabled flavor when I add craven, sugariness red peppers, kokosnoot milk and the all-important seasoning, back-scratch powder. —Roxana Lambeth, Moreno Valley, California

Beefiness Daube Provencal

This dish is perfect on common cold winter days, particularly afterward we take been out cut wood or white-tail hunting. If you are lucky plenty to have venison, try it here for melt-in-your-mouth goodness. —Brenda Ryan, Marshall, Missouri

Meatball Chili with Dumplings

My family enjoys this succulent recipe—it'south similar a spicy meatball stew with dumplings!—Sarah Yoder, Middlebury, Indiana

Classic Beefiness Stew

This like shooting fish in a barrel beefiness stew recipe is my favorite. The rich beef gravy helps the hearty season of the potatoes and carrots to come up through. It's the perfect homemade dish for a blustery wintertime day. —Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Apple tree Chicken Stew

My married man and I savor visiting the apple orchards in nearby Nebraska Metropolis. We always brand sure to purchase extra cider to use in this sensational slow-cooked stew. —Carol Mathias, Lincoln, Nebraska

Portobello Beef Burgundy

Rely on the convenience of your boring cooker for a meal that boasts all the hearty, stick-to-your-ribs goodness your family craves. These tender cubes of beef—loaded with a fantastic mushroom flavor and draped in a rich, burgundy sauce—are certain to take your guests asking for seconds of this potluck pleaser! —Melissa Galinat, Lakeland, Florida

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Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/are-you-using-the-right-beef-stew-meat/

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