What Cuts of Beef Would Be Ideal for Stew

Would information technology surprise y'all to learn that cheaper is meliorate? When it comes to beef stew meat, information technology's truthful! If you endeavour using a tender cut of beef, that slow-cooked stew will turn out chewy and tough every time. We know that totally sounds astern, but it turns out that tougher, less-expensive cuts of beef are where it's at.

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

If ribeyes, top sirloins, and beefiness tenderloin are calling to you at the butcher counter, put abroad your beef stew recipe and serve upward steak and potatoes instead. If yous simmer those tender cuts for long periods of time, all that beautifully marbled fat will merely cook away into the broth. Without the fat, the meat seizes up, leaving you with tough, chewy bites of meat that certainly won't alive upwardly to their price tag.

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

What Are the All-time Cuts of Beef for Stew?

At that place's no such thing as "beef stew meat" (although, yous'll notice many butcher shops carry pre-cut options labeled with this proper name). You should definitely ask the butcher what type of beef it is, because it could come from a few different fundamental cuts. The all-time (and least expensive) beef stew meat comes from the front shoulder, likewise known as the chuck. The rear muscle (also called the round) would definitely make a swell stew, only we like chuck better because it has more connective tissue.

Why Do Tough Cuts Work Best?

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 merely leech out into your broth. Instead, it melts into the meat and releases gelatin, giving everything a nice trunk and a rich mouthfeel. Sounds pretty neat, correct? The only caveat is that you accept to simmer tough cuts at very low temperatures for hours (and hours) to get all the good stuff to break down. When you exercise, it's like finding the pot of gold at the cease of the rainbow considering the meat volition be perfectly melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Because the chuck releases more gelatin as it cooks, it tastes moister than the round, making information technology our favorite, most economical cut for stew meat. If you lot tin can't observe a chuck roast, it might besides exist labeled as a chuck-heart roast or a chuck shoulder. If you're looking for bone-in options to add extra season to your goop, look for bone-in short ribs or oxtail. The latter will give you lot a super gelatin-rich goop, though, which some people find off-putting.

Browse our collection of beef stew recipes to put your new cognition to the test!

These Stew Recipes Would Make Grandma Proud

Dull-Simmered Burgundy Beef Stew

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

Turkey Dumpling Stew

My mom fabricated this stew when I was young, and information technology was always a hit. Since it's non time-consuming to make I tin fix information technology on a weekend for our children, who love the tender dumplings. —Becky Mohr, Appleton, Wisconsin

Mushroom-Edible bean Bourguignon

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

Ancient Grain Beef Stew

My version of beef stew is comfort nutrient with a healthy twist. I employ lentils and red quinoa rather than potatoes. If leftover stew seems besides thick, add more beef stock when reheating. —Margaret Roscoe, Keystone Heights, Florida

Back-scratch Chicken Stew

My Grandma Inky grew upwardly in India and passed downwardly this recipe to my mother, who then passed it down to me. The recipe brings back fond memories of the family gathered around the table, enjoying this delicious meal and catching up on ane some other's day. I tweaked the ingredients a chip to fit my toddler'south gustation buds, but it's just as scrumptious as Grandma's own. —Teresa Flowers, Sacramento, California

Ham and Bean Stew

You lot only demand v ingredients to gear up this thick and flavorful stew. It's so easy to make and e'er a favorite with my family. I elevation bowls of it with a sprinkling of shredded cheese. —Teresa D'Amato, E Granby, Connecticut

Hungarian Goulash

Talk well-nigh your heirloom recipes! My grandmother made this Hungarian goulash recipe for my mother when she was a child, and then Mom made information technology for us to enjoy. Paprika and caraway add together wonderful flavor, and sour cream gives it a creamy richness. Information technology's simply scrumptious! —Marcia Doyle, Pompano, Florida

Creamy Bratwurst Stew

A rich sauce coats this hearty combination of potatoes, carrots and bratwurst chunks. I adapted a broiled stew recipe that appeared in a newspaper. This is so comforting on common 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'due south piece of cake on the wallet, too. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida

Spicy Beef Vegetable Stew

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

Squash & Craven Stew

We created a satisfying stew that'southward nutritious, loaded with flavor and family unit-friendly. Slowly simmer chicken thighs with stewed tomatoes, butternut squash, light-green peppers and onion for meal-in-one convenience. —Gustatory modality of Home Test Kitchen

Light-green Chile Stew

Peppers requite this down-dwelling dark-green chili stew a wonderful rich flavor your family volition love. —Mary Spill, Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico

Lamb Stew

My grandmother used to make this stew every bit a special Sunday repast. It'due south an unforgettable care for from Ireland. —Vickie Desourdy, Washington, North Carolina

Barley Risotto and Beef Stroganoff

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

Craven Stew with Gnocchi

My chicken stew makes the house odour wonderful as it gently bubbling in the slow cooker. I whiff and my family heads to the kitchen to see if it'south set. —Marge Drake, Juniata, Nebraska

Ho-hum-Cooker Beef Stew

When there's a arctic in the air, nil beats this Crock-Pot beef stew. Seasoned with thyme and dry mustard, the hearty slow-cooker beef stew is brimming-total 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 request. All three of them, and their significant others, dear this dish. Yum! — Urilla Cheverie, Alfred, Maine

Sweet Spud Stew

Beef broth and herbs complement the potatoes' subtle sugariness in this hearty stew that's perfect for autumn. — Helen Vail, Glenside, Pennsylvania

New year's day's Oyster Stew

Oyster stew is quite popular along the coast of Ireland, where oysters are served to gloat many festivals. Immigrants brought the recipe with them to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S. —Christa Scott, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Fiesta-Twisted Brunswick Stew

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

Taco Stew

The ingredients are simple, simply together they make this awesome stew. If y'all want to a little added crunch, crush a few tortilla chips on meridian of each basin. —Suzanne Francis, Marysville, Washington

Quicker Chicken and Dumplings

Gear up in 30 minutes, this easy chicken and dumplings recipe takes reward of convenience items and uses time-saving, driblet-style dumplings. —Willie DeWaard, Coralville, Iowa

Beef Bourguignon

This stovetop stew is loaded with gustatory modality, simply is easy to do. While the proper name sounds fancy, even a beginning cook can master it. It's our traditional holiday meal.—Elodie Rosinovsky, Brighton, Massachusetts

Sweet Murphy Lentil Stew

I vicious in dearest with the spicy aromas in this deadening-cooked lentil stew. Add whatever ingredients y'all take on mitt, like zucchini, spinach, kale and corn. —Heather Gray, Little Stone, Arkansas

Hearty Beef & Sweetness Potato Stew

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

Jump-Thyme Craven Stew

During a long wintertime (and bound), my husband and I were in demand of something warm, comforting and brilliant. This chicken was the perfect thing. Information technology fills the firm with the olfactory property of abode when Mom would brand chicken soup, with a lilliputian something extra. —Amy Chase, Vanderhoof, British Columbia

Beef Stew with Pasta

I have happy memories of my mother's tomato plant-y beef stew, then I combined her recipe with a bunch of autumn veggies I needed to apply. The issue was a fun, fill up-you-up dinner. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

Braised Pork Stew

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

Weekday Beef Stew

Beefiness stew capped with flaky puff pastry adds comfort to the weeknight menu—my family unit is ever glad to see this meal. Make a salad and phone call your crowd to the tabular array. —Daniel Anderson, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Irksome-Cooked Lentil Stew

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

Slow-Cooked Stuffed Pepper Stew

This is my go-to pepper stew. When my garden yields green peppers, I die and freeze them for those cold, blustery days to come.—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 it for very special occasions. —Lyn Robitaille, Due east Hartland, Connecticut

Stovetop Root Vegetable Beef Stew

To me, the definition of "cozy" is a pot of tender beef simmering with sweet potatoes and parsnips. It doesn't get better than that. —Beth Rossos, Estacada, Oregon

Mainly Mushroom Beef Carbonnade

This is the ultimate condolement food, an earth-and-turf combo that smells delicious while cooking and tastes like home. The mushrooms taste then meaty, you tin can decrease the amount of beef and add more portabellos if you like. —Susan Asanovic, Wilton, Connecticut

Cazuela

I learned to brand this dish while we were living in Chile for a few months. We grow extra butternut squash in our garden merely for this recipe. —Louise Schmid, Marshall, Minnesota

Beef Stew Provencal

When I was immature, my favorite food to order in a eating house was beefiness stew. My mother and I decided to create our own and experimented with different ingredients until we came up with this recipe. Everyone liked this wearisome cooker version and so much that now it'due south a tradition every time the whole family is together. —Chelsey Larsen, Sparks, Nevada

Ravin' Good Stew

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

African Peanut Sugariness White potato Stew

Dorsum when I was in college, my mom made an addicting sweet potato and peanut stew. I shared it with friends, and now all of usa serve it to our own kids. They all honey information technology, of course. —Alexis Scatchell, Niles, Illinois

Ho-hum-Cooked Hearty Jambalaya

I love anything with Cajun spices, so I came up with this boring-cooker jambalaya that's just every bit good as that served in restaurants. If you tin can't find Andouille sausage, hot links, smoked sausage or chorizo will likewise work. I like to serve information technology with warm cornbread and garnished with sliced green onions. —Jennifer Fulk, Moreno Valley, California

Pork Chile Verde

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

Artichoke Beefiness Stew

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

Hearty Brunswick Stew

Like a thick, hearty soup, this stew is packed with tender craven and an eye-catching combination of vegetables. I could never wait patiently to consume when Female parent was cooking this stew. —Milded Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas

Southwestern Beef Barley Stew

Hearty and piece of cake to set, this thick stew has a comforting, chili-like season. It'south my all-time barley recipe. I'm certain you'll concur that it's a tasty dish. —Lisa Kolenich, Regina, Saskatchewan

Irksome Cooker Beef Vegetable Stew

Come home to warm comfort food! This vegetable beef stew is based on my mom's wonderful recipe, but I adjusted information technology for the irksome cooker. Add together a sprinkle of Parmesan to each bowl for a nice finishing bear on. —Marcella West, Washburn, Illinois

Turkey Biscuit Stew

This mesomorphic stew makes a hearty supper, especially in the fall and winter. Information technology'salso a cracking way to utilize actress 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 style to utilise upward our bounty of home-canned tomatoes. My husband loves information technology, and I like that information technology's piece of cake to warm up for a carefree dinner in the winter months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota

Great Northern Bean Stew

This thick and hearty stew with great northern beans is sure to chase the wintertime chills abroad. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas

Stephanie'southward Slow-Cooker Stew

Start this warming one-pot repast before you head out for the day. By the time yous get dwelling, the well-seasoned meat will exist tender and mouthwatering. —Stephanie Rabbitt-Schappacher, Cincinnati, Ohio

Beef & Mushroom Braised Stew

Every spring, my family unit heads out to our timber acreage to collect morel mushrooms, and then we cook upwardly this stew. We utilise morels, of course, only baby portobellos or push button mushrooms or volition work, also. —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 it along when I stop by or pack up a few containers for my nephew, who appreciates a habitation-cooked meal while he'southward off at college. —Tiffany Ihle, Bronx, New York

Moroccan Vegetable Craven Tagine

Take a trip to Morocco with this rich, exotic dish. A tagine is a North African dull-cooked stew named after the pot it's cooked in.—Gustatory modality of Dwelling Test Kitchen

Lentil & Craven Sausage Stew

This hearty and healthy stew will warm your family right downward to their toes! Serve with cornbread or rolls to soak up every last drib. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois

Louisiana Cherry-red Beans and Rice

Smoked turkey sausage and ruddy pepper flakes add zippo to this saucy, ho-hum-cooked version of the New Orleans classic. For extra rut, add ruby pepper sauce at the table. —Julia Bushree, Georgetown, Texas

Creamy Craven & Broccoli Stew

Shh! Don't tell anyone! This recipe is so elementary, but y'all'd never know it. My husband, who normally doesn't like craven, asks for this dish regularly. —Mary Watkins, Little Elm, Texas

Satisfying Beef Stew

This beef stew is so hearty and tastes even better the next twenty-four hours—if in that location 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 sugariness. This one-dish pork satay balances all of them using ginger and red pepper flakes, rice vinegar, garlic, lime juice and creamy peanut butter. —Nicole Werner, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Southwestern Chicken & Lima Edible bean Stew

I love to take my daughter, son-in-constabulary and grandchildren over for this supper. They make me then happy with their compliments or only past going to make full their bowls over again. Information technology'southward a practiced-for-you lot striking. —Pam Corder, Monroe, Louisiana

Squash and Lentil Lamb Stew

My family lived in New Zealand many years ago. Every Sunday my mother made a lamb stew—it was Dad'southward favorite! I changed the recipe to suit my family'due south more modern palates, merely it even so seems just as exotic and succulent. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Chicken Vegetable Curry

This comfort dish gets fabled flavor when I add together craven, sweet red peppers, coconut milk and the earth-shaking seasoning, curry pulverization. —Roxana Lambeth, Moreno Valley, California

Beef Daube Provencal

This dish is perfect on common cold wintertime days, especially subsequently we have been out cutting wood or white-tail hunting. If you are lucky enough to have venison, endeavour information technology here for melt-in-your-mouth goodness. —Brenda Ryan, Marshall, Missouri

Meatball Chili with Dumplings

My family enjoys this delicious recipe—it's like a spicy meatball stew with dumplings!—Sarah Yoder, Middlebury, Indiana

Archetype Beef Stew

This easy beef stew recipe is my favorite. The rich beef gravy helps the hearty flavor of the potatoes and carrots to come through. It'south the perfect homemade dish for a blustery winter solar day. —Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Apple Chicken Stew

My husband and I enjoy visiting the apple orchards in nearby Nebraska City. We ever make 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 tiresome cooker for a meal that boasts all the hearty, stick-to-your-ribs goodness your family craves. These tender cubes of beefiness—loaded with a fantastic mushroom flavor and draped in a rich, burgundy sauce—are certain to have 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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