When i make stew i start with a larger pot roast sized chunk of meat usually a trimmed chuck roll or a hunk of pork shoulder and sear the whole thing in a hot dutch oven. But with the right amount of tlc and a few smart tips you can turn inexpensive stew meat into a richly flavored meal with a surprisingly tender bite.
Guinness Beef Stew Recipe Recipe Guinness Beef Stew Recipes Beef Stew Recipe Food
The best way to tenderize stew meat of any kind is to braise it.
How do you make stew meat tender. Don t be afraid of an instant read meat thermometer and pull your meat when it s ready for naturally tender cuts like beef tenderloin that can be as rare as 125ºf whereas tougher cuts like brisket should be cooked to 195ºf. Hit the right internal temperature. Whether you buy a chuck roast to cut up for a pot of stew or you pick up one of those convenient packages of pre cut stew meat these budget cuts of beef are known for being tough.
Also when browning don t stop at lightly browning the cubes. Use chuck roast for a beef stew and cook it for at least three hours until the tender stew meat breaks apart easily with a fork. There s more than one way to soften up a tough cut of chuck roast and it isn t a bad idea to use more than one of the following techniques together.
You ll save money and get a much better dinner too. Overcooking can make your meat dry but undercooked meat can be quite chewy. This minimizes the juices that are forced out and allows me to sear very rapidly and efficiently to get deep brown colors and flavors on the surface much deeper than.
Whatever you do don t just add raw meat to broth and expect it to make stew. This is where the stew really starts to build its deep rich flavor. Searing the meat is an essential step for making a great beef stew.
Tender stew meat tips. Stew meat will become tough and chewy if cooked at high temperatures in the oven or at a rolling boil in a dutch oven. Find out why and learn how easy it is to cut up meat for stews and chili yourself.
Because the stew meat comes from a portion of the animal that is exercised regularly it is very lean and requires long slow cooking to become tender. Buying a package of pre cut stew meat may sound like a time saver but you re not really doing yourself a favor and you re probably spending more than you should.
