8 Tasty Recipes With Stew Meat That Aren't Stew | Livestrong.com (2024)

8 Tasty Recipes With Stew Meat That Aren't Stew | Livestrong.com (1)

Tired of stew? There are plenty of other things you can do with the affordable cut of meat.

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Stew beef is often a butcher's special at the grocery store, but if you're not in the mood for stew, you may bypass it for a pricier cut. But don't — there are a lot of great stew meat recipes other than stew that you can make, and you'll save money, too.

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When looking for stew meat in the grocery store, you may not know what type of meat you're getting. Ask the butcher or meat manager for help. The stew meat you want is beef chuck — it has a connective tissue that breaks down and gives you a tender, delicious finish.

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This type of cut is often used in slow cooker recipes, where it's cooked low and slow to help get the meat tender and soft. You can then use the tasty, high-protein meat to make recipes with stew meat like soups, tacos, burgers and, of course, stew.

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Tip

When you get home, trim any excess fat from your stew meat — a little fat is good, but too much leads to a greasy meal and too much saturated fat. This will ensure you get the most out of your budget-friendly protein.

Beef Stew Meat Recipes That Aren't Stew

There are many ways to get creative with unique, crowd-pleasing recipes that use stew beef cubes. Sure, traditional stovetop beef stew is great, but it's not the only meal you can make with cubed (or ground) chuck. Here are some beef stew alternatives to make with stew meat.

1. Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas

Make this meal higher in antioxidants by adding in more veggies, like carrots and zucchini.

Image Credit: One Lovely Life

  • Calories: 216
  • Protein: 28.7 grams

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These tacos are an easy, high-protein weeknight meal. You can use the stew meat as a salad topper or in a grain bowl, so make a large batch to keep on hand for its versatility and flavor. If you go with the greens, it'll be paleo-friendly! Let the meat simmer in the slow cooker for about four to five hours.

Get the Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas recipe and nutrition info from One Lovely Life.

2. Classic Hamburger Recipe

This recipe allows for versatility in flavor, as you can top it however you like.

Image Credit: ribeirorocha/iStock/GettyImages

  • Calories: 465
  • Protein: 25 grams

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A burger is an easy and quick high-protein meal, and you can save time in the kitchen by cooking a large batch at once as you meal prep for the week. What's more, it requires only four ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes total. Burgers are hearty beef stew alternatives you wouldn't think to make with stew meat, but you'll be glad you did.

Get the Classic Hamburger Recipe recipe and nutrition info from Spend With Pennies.

3. Beef Tips With Gravy

This recipe uses egg noodles instead of wheat noodles.

Image Credit: Spend With Pennies

  • Calories: 448
  • Protein: 53 grams

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The tips of chuck roast, known as "beef tips," taste great when served with a beef bone broth-based gravy over noodles or mashed potatoes. The net carb count of this recipe with stew meat is low, at just 11 grams per serving.

Get the Beef Tips With Gravy recipe and nutrition info from Spend With Pennies.

4. Slow Cooker Cheesesteak Recipe

Make a large batch of the cheesesteak meat to have on hand for quick protein during the week.

Image Credit: Spend With Pennies

  • Calories: 350
  • Protein: 31 grams

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A Philly cheesesteak sandwich is a comforting, classic recipe with stew meat that's fit for any outdoor summer barbecue or game day. This slow cooker recipe uses beef chuck, which is nice and tender when cooked overnight (it takes a little over eight hours!). Cut against the grain and brown the meat before putting it in the slow cooker to enhance its flavor.

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Get the Slow Cooker Cheesesteak recipe and nutrition info from Spend With Pennies.

5. Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches

This recipe has 8 grams of sugar, so feel free to omit the molasses or brown sugar to lower it.

Image Credit: Spend With Pennies

  • Calories: 190
  • Protein: 15 grams

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Serve this beef stew alternative at your next outdoor barbecue, as it's bound to be a hit. The stew meat is tender and pulled, and there's a balance of sweet and savory in the sauce. There isn't much fiber (just 1 gram), so add a side salad or serving of green vegetables, like broccoli or Brussels sprouts. Or swap the bun for a lettuce wrap, instead!

Get the Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches recipe and nutrition info from Spend With Pennies.

6. Slow Cooker Pot Roast

This recipe is ready in a little over five hours.

Image Credit: Jessica Gavin

  • Calories: 608
  • Protein: 47 grams

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Sliced and served with potatoes and carrots, this pot roast recipe is relatively low in carbs (it has 19 net grams) and high in protein to keep you fuller longer. Carrots have antioxidant carotenoids, which benefit eye and heart health and are linked to a lower risk of various cancers, per the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Get the Slow Cooker Pot Roast recipe and nutrition info from Jessica Gavin.

7. Slow Cooker BBQ Beef (Whole30)

This Whole30-approved recipe is great for meal prep, as you can use the beef for tacos, lettuce wraps, grain bowls and more.

Image Credit: The Real Food Dietitians

  • Calories: 384
  • Protein: 35 grams

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This barbecue beef recipe uses chuck roast for an affordable cut and the slow cooker keeps the meat flavorful and moist. On its own, the meat is tender and low in carbs and sugar, but it lacks fiber so stuff it into a baked sweet potato along with veggies or slaw. Sweet potato is rich in beta-carotene, which can support eye health, according to a June 2019 study in ‌Food Science & Nutrition.

Get the Slow Cooker BBQ Beef (Whole30) recipe and nutrition info from The Real Food Dietitians.

8. Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup

This recipe has 24 grams of fat to keep you fuller longer.

Image Credit: The Real Food Dietitians

  • Calories: 410
  • Protein: 28 grams

Use stew meat as a rich protein source in this veggie-dense soup, which is also high in fiber from potatoes and green beans. Opt for olive oil as it's linked to a lower risk of heart disease, as shown in a March 2020 study in the ‌Journal of the American College of Cardiology‌.

Get the Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup recipe and nutrition info from The Real Food Dietitians.

8 Tasty Recipes With Stew Meat That Aren't Stew | Livestrong.com (10)

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8 Tasty Recipes With Stew Meat That Aren't Stew | Livestrong.com (2024)

FAQs

Is stew meat only for stew? ›

As a rule of thumb, you can use stew meat in any recipe that calls for chopping up and braising chuck or round. Instead of the chuck or round, simply swap in an equal weight of stew meat. Here are some dishes you can make, plus recipes to get that beef cooking.

How to cook beef stew meat so it is tender? ›

The most important key to making stew meat tender is being sure to cook it for a long time. If you want super tender beef, you'll need to cook it on a low heat in a Dutch oven on the stove or a slow cooker for at least a few hours.

How do you make stew meat more flavorful? ›

Sear the meat well.

Searing meat takes a long time, and it's tempting to skip it. Don't. Searing the meat until it develops a dark brown crust and a sticky “fond” starts to glaze over the bottom of the pan are both key to creating the kind of rich, caramelized flavors that make stews irresistibly good.

What is beef stew meat good for? ›

Great for slow-cooking, chili and stews. The name “Stew” originates from a method of cooking where small pieces of meat are simmered in water or other liquid until its tender.

Is stew meat just cut up chuck roast? ›

Basically, you're cutting up a piece of meat such as beef chuck into pieces that are the same size on each side. Meat that's properly cut into cubes cooks evenly (and looks good on your plate).

What is the best tenderizer for stew meat? ›

The choice becomes easier when you realize that simple baking soda can be an ideal meat tenderizer that helps to bring out all the aromas and flavors in every sizzling beef stew or charburger.

Can you marinate stew meat? ›

Start by marinating a roast in Tennessee Whiskey marinade overnight or marinating beef stew meat for an hour. Cook meat as usual and add to your vegetable stew for an extra tasty flair.

What is the secret to good stew? ›

"Soups and stews really need to simmer for long periods to allow the ingredients to meld together. Taking that a step further, most soups and stews are better if you prepare them the day before serving. Allowing them to cool and then reheating them really helps bring out the flavors and textures."

Which herb might you use to give extra Flavour to a casserole or stew? ›

There are two ways to use herbs for flavouring soup and stews: At the beginning: Add robust herbs like oregano, Italian parsley, bay leaf, rosemary, sage and thyme at the beginning of cooking so that their earthy, aromatic flavours become milder and infuse the dish.

What is a Spanish stew called? ›

Known as estofados in Spanish, stews are a classic feature of Spanish cuisine that vary from region to region depending on the game and meat available in the area. Put down that fork and knife. These rich dishes deserve the sole attention of a large spoon and a glass of red La Rioja wine.

How to jazz up beef stew? ›

Add the wine and tomato paste to the onions and other aromatics in a pan before slow cooking. Plus, this helps to really deglaze any fond that's left. This ingredient is one that your mum and nan would probably use in their stews. It adds a bit of tang, sweetness and savoury spices that give an extra punch of flavour.

What gives beef stew more flavor? ›

Add spices such as turmeric, coriander and cumin at the early stage of cooking, when you are frying onions and garlic, to enhance the taste of the beef stew. Fresh herbs like coriander and bay leaves also contribute a distinct flavour without making the dish too spicy for the younger members of the family.

What is the secret to tender stew meat? ›

Her recipe uses bacon, red wine, tomato paste & beef broth to enhance the yummy beef flavors! But I believe the secret to the tender beef is… slow roasting the stew in a covered pot in the oven! That's it!

What is the difference between stew meat and steak? ›

Stew Meat often originates from the end cuts of the. animal, more suited for braising and longer cooking. times, while steak tips come from the middle meats, making them the perfect grilling option!

What is a substitute for stew meat? ›

What You Should Buy Instead. My top choice for all stew recipes is chuck roast. This cut is from the hard-working shoulder muscles, and while initially quite tough, cubes of chuck roast break down into tender, succulent, richly-flavored bites over the course of cooking.

Is stew meat the same as beef cubes? ›

Meat that is cubed or cut into chunks for stewed dishes is often referred to as stew meat. The best cuts of stew meat are lean with a bit of fat marbling.

Are beef tips and stew meat the same thing? ›

Stew meat usually contains a tougher cut of meat (such as a chuck or rump roast) which is best suited for making Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Beef Tips should be prepared with a more tender cut of meat such as sirloin or tenderloin, unless they're being prepared in the Slow Cooker.

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