If you're wondering what to make with stew meat besides stew, you're in the right place! As delicious as beef stew is, sometimes you just need to switch things up.
About once a month I stock my freezer with a variety of meats. Chicken thighs, chicken breasts, whole chicken, ground beef, chuck roast, and beef stew meat, to name a few staples. I find that if I already have a fridge and pantry full of foods, I am much more likely to want to cook dinner!
So, let's talk stew meat! Or beef stew cubes, stew beef, beef cubes, or whatever you want to call it...
As much as I love a good rich and hearty beef stew, I like to keep things interesting. I'm always looking for ideas on what to make with stew meat besides stew.
Additionally, it's hard to want to eat a piping hot stew during the summer months, especially here in Florida. If you have other recipe ideas up your sleeve, you can enjoy this cut of meat year-round.
I put together a list of the best beef stew meat recipes that are not stew. Here you'll find everything from fragrant beef curries, to braised beef meals, beef rice dishes, savory meat pies with beef, and a variety of beef goulash recipes.
Beef cubes turn out great with low and slow cooking, as well as with high pressure cooking. Here you'll find a few slow cooker and Crockpot recipes, in addition to several Instant Pot stew meat recipes.
What to Make with Stew Meat Besides Stew
Start going through the meat stash in your freezer! Bookmark these delicious meals when you're planning your weekly dinner menu. And many of these dishes are perfect for meal prep because they freeze well and leftovers are even better!
Instant Pot Stew Meat Recipes That Aren't Stew
If you're looking for quick and easy weeknight recipes using beef stew meat, the Instant Pot is the way to go! The Instant Pot lets you cook things quickly that normally need to be cooked low and slow, including tougher cuts of meat. I use the Instant Pot for several of my favorite beef cubes recipes.
Slow Cooker Stew Meat Recipes Other Than Stew
When you're looking for ideas for what to make with stew meat besides stew, the slow cooker is an excellent place to turn! Come home to a house that smells amazing, and a delicious hot meal waiting for you when you put your Crockpot to good use.
Savory Meat Pies
There's just something about a savory pie with a flaky butter crust and a rich hearty filling that says comfort food to me. Stew meat makes these satisfying, and is the perfect choice if you want to try something new.
Goulash Recipes
There are so many different beef goulash recipes out there! Many European countries have their own version of this classic beef dish, and of course it's not to be confused with American Goulash. Try a new type of goulash today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stew Meat?
A lot of people ask if this is just cut up steak! And I guess that really depends on what you consider "steak", lol.
Stew meat is chunks of meat that typically come from tougher cuts of meat with lots of connective tissue. When you cook this meat low and slow with liquid (aka, the cooking method known as braising), the connective tissue breaks down into melt-in-your-mouth-tender meat.
People commonly ask if they can just use chuck roast instead, and the answer is yes! If you prefer, get a chuck roast, trim off the visible fat, and cut the roast into chunks to use it as stew meat.
What Cut of Meat is Used for Stew Meat?
This is frequently "chuck" (which comes from the shoulder of a cow), and/or "round" (including both top and bottom round, which comes from the back leg of the cow).
How Long Does it Take for Stew Meat to Get Tender?
Because stew meat comes from a tougher cut, it's usually best cook it low and slow with liquid until tender. However, the exact amount of time this will take depends on the specific cut of meat and the size of the meat chunks. If you're braising on the stovetop, usually around 2 hours will result in tender meat.
Of course, this takes longer in the slower cooker and is faster in the Instant Pot!
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