Best Part of the Beef for Stew

Would it surprise you to learn that cheaper is meliorate? When it comes to beef stew meat, information technology's true! If you attempt using a tender cut of beef, that irksome-cooked stew volition plow out chewy and tough every time. Nosotros know that totally sounds backward, simply information technology turns out that tougher, less-expensive cuts of beef are where it's at.

(Psst: THIS is the way to get the all-time meat—and deals—from your butcher.)

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

Here are the cuts of beef every abode cook should know.

What Are the Best Cuts of Beef for Stew?

At that place's no such thing as "beef stew meat" (although, yous'll find many butcher shops carry pre-cutting 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 primal cuts. The all-time (and least expensive) beef stew meat comes from the front end shoulder, also known every bit the chuck. The rear muscle (besides called the circular) would definitely make a cracking stew, but we like chuck ameliorate because information technology has more connective tissue.

Why Do Tough Cuts Work Best?

Dissimilar tender steaks, the tough cuts come up from well-worked muscles. These stronger muscles take lots of collagen-rich connective tissue. That connective tissue isn't similar intermuscular fat: It won't just leech out into your broth. Instead, it melts into the meat and releases gelatin, giving everything a nice body and a rich mouthfeel. Sounds pretty swell, right? The only caveat is that y'all have to simmer tough cuts at very low temperatures for hours (and hours) to get all the skilful stuff to intermission down. When y'all do, it's like finding the pot of gilt at the terminate of the rainbow considering the meat will be perfectly cook-in-your-mouth tender.

Considering the chuck releases more gelatin equally it cooks, information technology tastes moister than the round, making it our favorite, most economical cut for stew meat. If you tin't detect a chuck roast, it might as well exist labeled every bit a chuck-eye roast or a chuck shoulder. If you lot're looking for bone-in options to add actress flavor to your goop, wait for bone-in short ribs or oxtail. The latter volition requite you a super gelatin-rich goop, though, which some people observe off-putting.

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

These Stew Recipes Would Brand Grandma Proud

Deadening-Simmered Burgundy Beef Stew

My mother in law shared this recipe with me almost 25 years ago. E'er since and then, it's been a go-to whenever I need expert nutrient 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 e'er a hitting. Since it's not time-consuming to make I can fix it on a weekend for our children, who beloved 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, Due west Hollywood, California

Aboriginal Grain Beef Stew

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

Back-scratch Chicken Stew

My Grandma Inky grew upwardly in Bharat and passed downward this recipe to my mother, who and then passed it down to me. The recipe brings back fond memories of the family gathered effectually the table, enjoying this delicious meal and communicable upwardly on 1 another's day. I tweaked the ingredients a bit to fit my toddler'southward taste buds, merely it's simply every bit scrumptious as Grandma's own. —Teresa Flowers, Sacramento, California

Ham and Bean Stew

You only need five ingredients to set this thick and flavorful stew. It's so easy to make and always a favorite with my family unit. I meridian bowls of it with a sprinkling of shredded cheese. —Teresa D'Amato, East Granby, Connecticut

Hungarian Goulash

Talk about your heirloom recipes! My grandmother fabricated this Hungarian goulash recipe for my mother when she was a child, and then Mom fabricated information technology for us to enjoy. Paprika and caraway add wonderful season, and sour cream gives it a flossy 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 adapted a broiled stew recipe that appeared in a newspaper. This is so 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 gustation in less time. It's easy on the wallet, too. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida

Spicy Beefiness Vegetable Stew

This zesty ground beef and vegetable soup is flavorful and fast to fix. Information technology makes a consummate meal when served with warm cornbread, sourdough bread or French staff of life if y'all enjoy a supper with a side. —Lynnette Davis, Tullahoma, Tennessee

Squash & Chicken Stew

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

Green Republic of chile Stew

Peppers give this downward-abode dark-green chili stew a wonderful rich flavor your family volition dearest. —Mary Spill, Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico

Lamb Stew

My grandmother used to brand this stew as a special Sunday meal. It's an unforgettable treat from Republic of ireland. —Vickie Desourdy, Washington, North Carolina

Barley Risotto and Beef Stroganoff

I was missing my Russian grandma's barley porridge and beef stroganoff, and 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 firm odour wonderful equally it gently bubbles in the boring cooker. I whiff and my family heads to the kitchen to run into if it'due south ready. —Marge Drake, Juniata, Nebraska

Boring-Cooker Beef Stew

When at that place'south a arctic in the air, aught beats this Crock-Pot beef stew. Seasoned with thyme and dry mustard, the hearty tedious-cooker beef stew is brimming-total of tender carrots, potatoes and meat. —Earnestine Wilson, Waco, Texas

Tiresome-Cooker Burgundy Beef

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

Sweet White potato Stew

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

New Year's Oyster Stew

Oyster stew is quite popular forth the coast of Republic 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 made with game meat, this updated Brunswick stew, using spicy sausage, is a modern mom's best friend. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

Taco Stew

The ingredients are simple, but together they make this awesome stew. If you want to a piffling added crisis, crush a few tortilla chips on top of each bowl. —Suzanne Francis, Marysville, Washington

Quicker Chicken and Dumplings

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

Beefiness Bourguignon

This stovetop stew is loaded with taste, just is easy to exercise. While the name sounds fancy, even a beginning cook can master it. It's our traditional vacation meal.—Elodie Rosinovsky, Brighton, Massachusetts

Sweet White potato Lentil Stew

I cruel in love with the spicy aromas in this deadening-cooked lentil stew. Add whatever ingredients y'all have on hand, like zucchini, spinach, kale and corn. —Heather Gray, Little Rock, Arkansas

Hearty Beef & Sweetness Potato Stew

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

Leap-Thyme Chicken Stew

During a long winter (and spring), my husband and I were in demand of something warm, comforting and bright. This chicken was the perfect thing. It fills the house with the smell of home when Mom would make chicken soup, with a little something actress. —Amy Chase, Vanderhoof, British Columbia

Beef Stew with Pasta

I accept happy memories of my mother'south tomato-y beef stew, and so I combined her recipe with a bunch of fall veggies I needed to utilize. The event was a fun, fill-yous-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 wintertime nighttime. —Nella Parker, Hersey, Michigan

Weekday Beef Stew

Beef stew capped with flaky puff pastry adds condolement to the weeknight carte du jour—my family is always glad to see this repast. Make a salad and call your crowd to the table. —Daniel Anderson, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Slow-Cooked Lentil Stew

This vegetarian stew is perfect when you lot want to have a suspension from meat. Calculation the cream at the stop 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 dice and freeze them for those cold, blustery days to come.—Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri

Holiday Beefiness Bourguignon

When we married four decades agone, I found this bourguignon recipe in a French cookbook. My husband and I still serve it 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 sweet potatoes and parsnips. It doesn't get amend than that. —Beth Rossos, Estacada, Oregon

Mainly Mushroom Beefiness Carbonnade

This is the ultimate comfort food, an globe-and-turf philharmonic that smells delicious while cooking and tastes like home. The mushrooms taste and then compact, you tin can decrease the amount of beef and add more portabellos if you 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 simply for this recipe. —Louise Schmid, Marshall, Minnesota

Beef Stew Provencal

When I was young, my favorite food to order in a eating place was beefiness stew. My mother and I decided to create our ain and experimented with different ingredients until we came up with this recipe. Everyone liked this slow cooker version so much that now information technology's a tradition every time the whole family is together. —Chelsey Larsen, Sparks, Nevada

Ravin' Skilful Stew

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

African Peanut Sweet Murphy Stew

Back when I was in college, my mom made an addicting sugariness spud and peanut stew. I shared it with friends, and now all of united states serve it to our own kids. They all love information technology, of class. —Alexis Scatchell, Niles, Illinois

Tedious-Cooked Hearty Jambalaya

I love anything with Cajun spices, and so I came up with this tiresome-cooker jambalaya that'southward merely every bit good as that served in restaurants. If you can't observe Andouille sausage, hot links, smoked sausage or chorizo will as well work. I like to serve it with warm cornbread and garnished with sliced dark-green onions. —Jennifer Fulk, Moreno Valley, California

Pork Chile Verde

Pork slowly stews with jalapenos, onion, green enchilada sauce and spices in this flavor-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 country. She served it with dumplings, but my husband prefers noodles. —Janell Schmidt, Athelstane, Wisconsin

Hearty Brunswick Stew

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

Southwestern Beef Barley Stew

Hearty and easy to fix, this thick stew has a comforting, chili-like flavour. It'due south my best barley recipe. I'm certain you'll agree that it'south a tasty dish. —Lisa Kolenich, Regina, Saskatchewan

Ho-hum Cooker Beefiness Vegetable Stew

Come home to warm comfort food! This vegetable beef stew is based on my mom'south wonderful recipe, but I adapted it for the slow cooker. Add together a sprinkle of Parmesan to each bowl for a squeamish finishing bear upon. —Marcella West, Washburn, Illinois

Turkey Biscuit Stew

This chunky stew makes a hearty supper, especially in the fall and winter. It'salso a great way to use actress turkey during the holidays. —Lori Schlecht, Wimbledon, Northward Dakota

Favorite Hamburger Stew

I got this hamburger stew recipe from a woman at our church, Lois Henry, when I needed a fashion to utilize up our bounty of home-canned tomatoes. My husband loves it, and I like that it'due south like shooting fish in a barrel to warm upward for a carefree dinner in the winter months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota

Neat Northern Bean Stew

This thick and hearty stew with keen northern beans is sure to hunt the winter chills away. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas

Stephanie's Tiresome-Cooker Stew

Start this warming one-pot meal before yous head out for the day. Past the time you lot get abode, the well-seasoned meat will be 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 up this stew. We utilize morels, of course, but infant portobellos or button mushrooms or will piece of 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 it along when I stop past or pack upwards a few containers for my nephew, who appreciates a home-cooked meal while he's off at college. —Tiffany Ihle, Bronx, New York

Moroccan Vegetable Chicken Tagine

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

Lentil & Craven Sausage Stew

This hearty and healthy stew will warm your family unit right down to their toes! Serve with cornbread or rolls to soak up every final drop. —January Valdez, Chicago, Illinois

Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

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

Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Stew

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

Satisfying Beefiness Stew

This beef stew is so hearty and tastes even better the adjacent twenty-four hour period—if there are leftovers! It goes great with cornbread or whatever crusty loaf. —Abbey Mueller, Enid, Oklahoma

Satay-Fashion 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 red pepper flakes, rice vinegar, garlic, lime juice and creamy peanut butter. —Nicole Werner, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Southwestern Chicken & Lima Bean Stew

I beloved to take my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren over for this supper. They brand me so happy with their compliments or just by going to fill upwardly their bowls again. It's a good-for-you lot hit. —Pam Corder, Monroe, Louisiana

Squash and Lentil Lamb Stew

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

Craven Vegetable Curry

This condolement dish gets fabulous flavour when I add together craven, sweet blood-red peppers, kokosnoot milk and the all-important seasoning, curry powder. —Roxana Lambeth, Moreno Valley, California

Beef Daube Provencal

This dish is perfect on cold winter days, especially after nosotros have been out cutting wood or white-tail hunting. If y'all are lucky plenty to have venison, endeavor it hither for melt-in-your-oral fissure goodness. —Brenda Ryan, Marshall, Missouri

Meatball Chili with Dumplings

My family enjoys this delicious recipe—it's similar 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 season of the potatoes and carrots to come through. Information technology's the perfect bootleg dish for a blustery winter 24-hour interval. —Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Apple tree Chicken Stew

My husband and I bask visiting the apple orchards in nearby Nebraska Urban center. Nosotros e'er make sure to buy extra cider to employ in this sensational ho-hum-cooked stew. —Carol Mathias, Lincoln, Nebraska

Portobello Beef Burgundy

Rely on the convenience of your slow 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 sure 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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