How to Make Canned Beef Stew Taste Better: 12 Easy Ways to Elevate Flavor

Canned beef stew can be a quick and convenient meal, but the flavor is often lacking compared to homemade. Thankfully, with a few simple ingredient swaps and cooking techniques, you can easily make canned beef stew taste Restaurant-quality delicious.

In this comprehensive guide I’ll share 12 of my best tips and tricks to enhance canned beef stew so it tastes like you spent hours simmering it from scratch. With techniques like sautéing aromatics boosting umami flavor and finishing with a flavorful garnish, you can have a hearty, satisfying stew minus the hassle.

Why Enhance the Flavor?

Improving the taste of canned beef stew offers several advantages:

Makes a quick weeknight dinner more enjoyable
Allows you to avoid bland, dull canned flavor
Saves time compared to cooking beef stew from scratch
Lets you customize the flavor to your preferences
Makes the stew more crave-worthy so none goes to waste
Impresses dinner guests who won’t know it’s from a can!

12 Easy Ways to Make Canned Beef Stew Taste Better

1. Sauté the stew meat

Browning the beef elevates flavor substantially. Sauté over high heat just until browned.

2. Cook aromatic veggies

Sauté carrots, onions, celery, garlic, etc. before adding to the stew.

3. Deglaze the pan

After sautéing meat and veggies, deglaze the pan with a bit of wine or broth.

4. Add tomato paste

Stir in a tablespoon or two of tomato paste while cooking to add rich depth.

5. Use umami ingredients

Stir in Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, etc.

6. Toast the flour

Toast the flour briefly before adding liquid to make a more flavorful thickener.

7. Simmer the stew

Gently simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to develop and meld.

8. Finish with butter

Stir in a pat of butter at the end for extra richness.

9. Use bold seasonings

Flavor with garlic, onion, paprika, thyme and ample black pepper.

10. Mix in parmesan

Stir in grated parmesan for a savory, salty accent.

11. Garnish with herbs

Chopped parsley, thyme or chives give freshness.

12. Splash of vinegar

A splash of red wine vinegar right before serving boosts acidity.

Handy Cooking Tips for Canned Beef Stew

Opt for lower-sodium canned stew to control saltiness.
Use broth, wine or water to thin out overly thick canned stew.
Cut canned veggies smaller or leave them out entirely and use fresh.
Combine canned stew with stew made from scratch recipes.
Cook on the stovetop or in a multi-cooker like the Instant Pot.
Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months and reheat gently.

Common Questions

What goes well with canned beef stew?

Biscuits, rolls, mashed potatoes, rice, crusty bread, roasted root vegetables, green salad.

Can you cook canned beef stew in a slow cooker?

Yes, combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours.

Is canned beef stew healthy?

It can be fairly high in sodium but mixing with homemade stew and ingredients helps improve the nutrition profile.

How long does canned beef stew last in the fridge?

Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge up to 4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving again.

Take Your Canned Stew from Dull to Delicious

With a little creativity, you can easily transform the flavor of basic canned beef stew into a hearty, crave-worthy dish. Use these tips and tricks to make the most of canned stew when time is tight. Investing just a few extra minutes will make all the difference in taste! Say goodbye to boring canned flavor.

Comforting and Savory BETTER CANNED BEEF STEW | Recipes.net

FAQ

How do you doctor up a can of beef stew?

But you can just add something you enjoy drinking. Beef broth – It intensifies the beef flavor. Worcestershire sauce – It adds a hint of umami taste to the stew. Vegetables – We used red onion, potatoes, carrots, and frozen peas for this simple beef stew recipe.

What can I add to tasteless beef stew?

Laurence further reveals that “adding wine or other alcohol brings out different flavors (those that are alcohol-soluble) that wouldn’t otherwise be expressed in the dish. There are flavors in tomatoes that are alcohol-soluble, so adding red wine along with tomato paste also helps to enhance beef stew.”

How to make canned beef taste good?

To make canned beef taste more flavorful, you can season it with spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning. Adding some chopped onions, carrots, or bell peppers while heating the canned beef can also enhance its taste.

Can you add soy sauce to beef stew?

Squeeze a little drizzle into the stew at the end of cooking, stir and swoon. If you’re looking for a darker flavor and deeper color for beef stew, a little bit of soy sauce adds depth and interest. See what I mean with our highly rated Jamaican-Style Beef Stew. Yes, that’s right.

How to make beef stew with canned beef?

Pour the canned stew, frozen peas, and parmesan cheese into the simmering sauce. Then, continue to simmer until the stew thickens. But if this beef stew with canned beef is too thick, simply add a splash of beef broth! 9. Then, add the roasted veggies to the stew. Stir until the ingredients are well-combined. 10. Season with salt and pepper. 11.

What vegetables do you use to make canned beef stew?

I used potatoes, carrots, and onions to make my canned beef stew. Other vegetables that you can use are celery, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, parsnips, and corn. Sea salt and ground pepper – to taste. I used simple seasoning to let the natural flavors shine through. This is important, especially if you are using seasoned broth.

What makes a good beef stew?

The best beef stew recipes almost always shares these common features: Beef that is seared brown for ultimate flavor and slow-simmered with carrots, celery and potatoes in a rich sauce seasoned with herbs and red wine. Those are the basic elements that combine to make a simple yet phenomenally delicious stew.