12 Delicious Ways to Use Beef Stew Meat Beyond Just Making Stew

Beef stew meat is an inexpensive and versatile cut of beef that has so much more potential than just making beef stew. If you’ve got a package (or three) of beef stew meat in your freezer or fridge and aren’t sure what to make with it, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explore what exactly beef stew meat is, what makes it different from other cuts of beef, and most importantly – 12 delicious ways to use it in meals beyond just beef stew.

What is Beef Stew Meat?

First, let’s clarify what cut of beef we’re working with when we say “beef stew meat.” Stew meat comes from the chuck or round primals of the beef cow. These areas contain a lot of connective tissue which is why beef from the chuck or round requires long slow, moist cooking methods – like stewing or braising – to break down and become tender.

When these larger chuck and round primals are portioned into smaller pieces around 1-inch cubes, it’s sold as beef stew meat or beef cubes for stew. Since this is a tougher cut that requires special treatment stew meat is very inexpensive compared to tender cuts like loin or ribeye.

Why Cook Beef Stew Meat Low and Slow?

As mentioned above, beef stew meat contains a lot of connective tissue. Connective tissue is made of collagen, which is a tough protein that requires prolonged cooking with moisture to break down into gelatin. Gelatin is what gives stew and braised dishes their rich body and what makes the meat become fall-apart tender.

That’s why traditional beef stew is cooked low and slow – typically in the oven or on the stovetop at around 300°F for 2-3 hours. This gives the collagen plenty of time to transform into gelatin. If you were to cook stew meat quickly over high heat, it would remain tough and chewy.

Okay, now that we understand what beef stew meat is and why it needs special treatment, let’s get to the fun part – what to make with it!

12 Delicious Ways to Use Beef Stew Meat Beyond Stew

1. Beef Chili – Use cubed beef stew meat instead of ground beef for a hearty, meaty chili. The cubes will break down and absorb all the delicious chili flavors.

2. Beef Bourguignon – A French classic! Beef stew meat braised in red wine with bacon, mushrooms, carrots, onions, and herbs.

3. Beef Stroganoff – Cook the beef cubes until tender, then combine with a creamy sour cream and mushroom sauce over egg noodles.

4. Beef Pot Pie – Comfort food at its finest. Build a filling with beef stew meat, veggies, and gravy, top with pie crust.

5. Beef Enchiladas – Cook the beef until it shreds easily, then roll up in tortillas and smother with enchilada sauce and cheese.

6. Beef Paprikash – A Hungarian paprika-based stew that’s equally delicious with stew meat in place of chicken or pork.

7. Beef Curry – Curry powder and stew meat are a match made in heaven. Cook with potatoes and serve over rice.

8. Goulash – Another Hungarian favorite, this tomato-based stew gains richness from tender beef stew meat.

9. Shepherd’s Pie – Ground beef is often used, but stew meat makes this casserole extra luxurious.

10. Beef Tacos – Shred or chop the cooked stew meat and pile high on taco shells or tortillas.

11. Sloppy Joes – These saucy sandwiches are typically made with ground beef, but stew meat is even better.

12. Cottage Pie – Similar to shepherd’s pie but with stew meat instead of lamb. Topped with creamy mashed potatoes.

Tips for Cooking with Beef Stew Meat

• Brown the meat first for better flavor
• Add aromatics like onion, garlic, carrots
• Braise with stock, wine or tomatoes
• Cook low and slow until fall-apart tender
• Shred or chop meat once cooked
• Thicken braising liquid to make gravy

The Takeaway

Beef stew meat is a very affordable cut of meat that just requires a little prep and patience to transform into tender, flavorful meals. With so many diverse cuisines utilizing tough cuts of meat, the possibilities of what to make are endless. Hopefully this article gave you some fresh recipe inspiration beyond beef stew!