How to make beef stew meat tender on the stove

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People attend different cultural programs, ceremonies, picnics, or parties in this modern society. Delicious food items are among the significant cultural views people love to enjoy during programs.

Beef stew meat is one of the unique dishes that people love to take. This item is considered part of the culture in the delightful marriage ceremony. It just creates a greeting and happy environment in the ceremony for both sides.

Most of the time students love to take the lucrative dish in the study tour. Being an easy recipe, western families have placed this exclusive dish in dinner and love to enjoy food with family members.

The lucrative taste convinces people to take the dish most of the time. However, a few steps exist to create this delicious food item to make the moment tasty. So let’s execute the steps and learn the recipe quickly. 

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4 Steps on How to make beef stew meat tender on the stove

Are you looking for the perfect winter dish to warm up your family? If so, look no further than beef stew! Here, we’ll show you how to make this classic dish tender and flavorful on the stove. Get ready to enjoy a delicious meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table.  

Steps of making the beef stew meat tender

Four steps you can use to make beef stew meat tender on the stove. All are explained below

Preparing the Meat

• Choose a cut of beef well-suited for stewing, such as chuck roast or round.
• Cut the meat into bite-sized pieces, trimming away any excess fat.

Browning the Meat

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat over medium-high heat.
• Add a small amount of oil to the pot and wait until it is hot.
• Add the beef to the pot in batches. Keep in eyes that the pan does not overcrowd the pan.
• Brown the beef on all sides.
• Let the browned beef cool before removing it from the pot.

 Cooking the Stew

• Add chopped vegetables, such as onions, carrots, and celery, to the pot and sauté until they are softened.
• Add the browned beef back to the pot and any liquids, such as beef broth, vinegar, etc.
• Pour the contents of the pan into a hot, covered pot for cooking.
• Reduce the heat to low and allow the stew to simmer for several hours or until the beef is tender.

Finishing the Stew

• Season the stew with desired herbs and spices, such as thyme, bay leaves, and black pepper.
• Tastes the stew and adjusts the seasoning as necessary.
• Serve the stew hot, either with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.

Note:

• You can also marinate the meat before browning it for making it tenderer.
• Another technique to make it tenderer is adding a tablespoon of tomato paste to the stew and letting it simmer for an extra hour.
• One more tip is to let the stew cool down and, refrigerate it overnight, reheat it the next day, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to become even more tender.

Quick recipe to make beef stew tender meat on the stove

I’ll discuss the importance of using the proper cut of beef for beef stew, as well as the 10 different methods for cooking it to ensure that it is perfectly tender and delicious every time. So if you want to make beef stew that everyone will love, check out this section.  

Preparing the Stew Meat

At the early moment to make beef stew, it’s important to prepare the stew meat properly. Start by placing cubed stew meat into a large bowl for doing this. Then, add two tablespoons of cornstarch, one to two teaspoons of Italian seasoning, and one teaspoon of kosher salt. Lastly, mince a couple of cloves of garlic and dice some red-skinned potatoes. Once this is done, the stew meat is ready to be cooked.

Searing the Beef Chuck

Searing beef chucks is crucial to getting the best flavor and texture for your stew. For doing this at first use a heavy skillet with a tablespoon of oil on medium-high heat. Place the beef in batches and sear it until browned on all sides. Ensure the meat is cooked through before adding additional ingredients to the slow cooker. When searing the beef, remember to use the correct cut of meat (chuck can be the best choice) and small batches for making it sear. Once the step is done, you’re well on your way to making a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth beef stew!

Adding Ingredients to the Slow Cooker

Adding ingredients to the slow cooker is essential in making the beef stew meat tender. Just combine the beef, flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Then, add the broth, vegetables, and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker. Finally, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil before adding it to the slow cooker. It will help to create a flavorful base for your stew that will tenderize the beef as it cooks.

Cooking on High Heat

Cooking beef stew on high heat can lead to toughness, and the condition is also the same for chewy meat. To ensure tender and juicy beef, cook it on a low setting. Simmering the meat in the liquid will break down the muscle fibers that make cutting easier with a fork. Before adding the beef to your stew pot, sear it in a hot pan with oil and spices for added flavor.

This will also help lock in the juices and create a crust that holds moisture while cooking. When the beef is browned, add your ingredients and liquids to the slow cooker or Dutch oven and set it to low heat. Once the stew has cooked through, enjoy a delicious meal that’s full of flavor and easy to chew.

Using Low Heat for Tenderizing

Using low heat is an effective way to tenderize beef stew meat. The low temperature helps break down the collagen in the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful finished product. For using low heat, the beef should be placed in a slow cooker and cooked on low for several hours.

If a slow cooker is unavailable, the meat can also be seared on the stovetop in a heavy-bottomed skillet and then transferred to an oven set to low. Additionally, adding a marinade with an acid content such as vinegar, lemon or lime juice will help tenderize the meat further. Take time and prepare your beef stew meat with low heat and marinade. Nurturing will ensure a delicious and tender finished dish for eating.

Adding the Beef Broth and Worcestershire Sauce

Adding the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker is an essential in creating the perfect beef stew. Once the beef chuck has been seared and the remaining ingredients added, it’s time to add these flavorful liquids.

The beef broth will help to create a savory base and add moisture to the stew, while the Worcestershire sauce will give it a unique and delicious taste. Start by pouring in 1 cup of low-sodium beef broth into the slow cooker and then adding 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. Stir all of the ingredients together, cover the slow cooker with a lid, and continue the cooking process.

Adding the Remaining Spice Mix and Bay Leaf

Adding the remaining spice mix and bay leaf to make the beef stew meat tender on the stove. The bay leaf adds a unique flavor to the stew and helps tenderize the meat.

The spice mix can be customized to your own taste, but typically includes paprika, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, and chili powder.

Once these ingredients are added to the pot, they will blend to create a delicious and aromatic stew that will surely please the whole family. Be sure to stir everything together gently to evenly distribute the flavors throughout the beef stew.

Adding the Beef and Juices Back to the Pan

After the beef has been seared and all the ingredients added to the slow cooker, it’s time to add the beef and its juices back to the pan. This is essential for ensuring your stew meat is tender and flavorful.

To do this, simply add the beef and all the juices that have accumulated back to the pot and bring them to a boil. Set the heat to low and cook for 1 hour or until the meat is tender.

This will help to lock in all the flavors of your stew as it cooks, resulting in a delicious dish that your family will love.

Heating Oil in a Heavy-Bottomed Pan

When making beef stew, having a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven is essential. This will ensure that the heat is evenly distributed throughout the pot and that the stew cooks evenly.

Heat the oil in the pan on medium-high heat before adding the beef. This will help to seal in the flavor and create a nice sear on the outside of the meat. It is essential not to let the oil get too hot, as it may burn.

Once you have added the beef, turn the heat down slightly so that it doesn’t burn. The heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven will help ensure that your beef stew cooks evenly and is tender and flavorful.

Mixing Flour, Pepper, and Salt

After the beef is seared and the ingredients are added to the slow cooker, it is time to mix the flour, pepper, and salt. This mixture will help to thicken and flavor the stew.

First, measure equal parts of all three ingredients and mix them in a small bowl until they are combined. Next, sprinkle the mixture over the beef in the slow cooker and stir it in.

This will help to create a flavorful gravy and add richness to the stew. Finally, cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for several hours or until the beef is tender.

Serve the stew

Once the beef stew is finished and ready, it’s time to serve it. If you’d like to thicken the stew, you can do so by stirring in a few tablespoons of cornstarch into the liquid and simmering for a few more minutes. Serve the stew hot with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes or crusty bread. Enjoy!

Final Words

In conclusion, the best way to make beef stew meat tender on the stove is to use a combination of searing and braising. To do this, season the beef with salt and pepper and then sear it over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes. Then, add the beef to a slow cooker with onions, carrots, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and a spice mix. Cover and cook on high heat for 1½ hours or low heat for 3-4 hours until the beef is tender.