What Cut of Beef Is Used for Beef Stew?

Would it surprise y'all to learn that cheaper is better? When it comes to beef stew meat, it'south truthful! If you endeavor using a tender cut of beef, that deadening-cooked stew will turn out chewy and tough every time. We know that totally sounds backward, merely it 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, elevation sirloins, and beef tenderloin are calling to you at the butcher counter, put away your beefiness stew recipe and serve upward steak and potatoes instead. If you simmer those tender cuts for long periods of time, all that beautifully marbled fat will just cook away into the broth. Without the fat, the meat seizes upwardly, leaving you with tough, chewy bites of meat that certainly won't live upwards to their price tag.

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

What Are the Best Cuts of Beefiness for Stew?

In that location's no such affair every bit "beef stew meat" (although, you'll find many butcher shops carry pre-cut options labeled with this proper name). You should definitely ask the butcher what type of beef it is, considering it could come from a few dissimilar fundamental cuts. The best (and least expensive) beef stew meat comes from the front shoulder, besides known as the chuck. The rear muscle (also chosen the circular) would definitely make a bully stew, merely we like chuck amend because it has more connective tissue.

Why Do Tough Cuts Work Best?

Unlike 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 like intermuscular fat: Information technology won't just leech out into your broth. Instead, it melts into the meat and releases gelatin, giving everything a nice trunk and a rich mouthfeel. Sounds pretty swell, right? The only caveat is that you take to simmer tough cuts at very low temperatures for hours (and hours) to get all the good stuff to break down. When you do, it's like finding the pot of gilded at the end of the rainbow considering the meat will be perfectly cook-in-your-mouth tender.

Because the chuck releases more than gelatin as it cooks, it tastes moister than the circular, making it our favorite, most economical cut for stew meat. If you can't find a chuck roast, it might also be labeled as a chuck-eye roast or a chuck shoulder. If you lot're looking for bone-in options to add extra flavor to your goop, wait for bone-in short ribs or oxtail. The latter will requite y'all a super gelatin-rich broth, though, which some people find off-putting.

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

These Stew Recipes Would Make Grandma Proud

Ho-hum-Simmered Burgundy Beef Stew

My mother in law shared this recipe with me about 25 years ago. E'er since then, it's been a get-to whenever I need expert food 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 hit. Since it'southward non time-consuming to make I tin fix information technology 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, West Hollywood, California

Ancient Grain Beef Stew

My version of beef stew is comfort nutrient with a salubrious twist. I apply lentils and red quinoa rather than potatoes. If leftover stew seems as well thick, add together more than beefiness stock when reheating. —Margaret Roscoe, Keystone Heights, Florida

Curry Chicken Stew

My Grandma Inky grew upwardly in Republic of india and passed down this recipe to my mother, who and then passed it downward to me. The recipe brings back fond memories of the family gathered around the table, enjoying this succulent meal and catching upward on i another's day. I tweaked the ingredients a bit to fit my toddler'south taste buds, but it's merely as scrumptious as Grandma's own. —Teresa Flowers, Sacramento, California

Ham and Bean Stew

You just need five ingredients to fix this thick and flavorful stew. It'south so easy to make and ever a favorite with my family. I meridian bowls of it with a sprinkling of shredded cheese. —Teresa D'Amato, Due east Granby, Connecticut

Hungarian Goulash

Talk near your heirloom recipes! My grandmother made this Hungarian goulash recipe for my female parent when she was a child, so Mom fabricated it for us to savor. Paprika and caraway add wonderful flavor, and sour cream gives it a creamy richness. Information technology'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 baked stew recipe that appeared in a newspaper. This is so comforting on cold wintertime evenings. —Susan Holmes, Germantown, Wisconsin

Cassoulet for Today

French cassoulet is traditionally cooked for hours. This version of the rustic dish offers the same homey taste in less time. It'southward easy on the wallet, besides. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida

Spicy Beef Vegetable Stew

This zesty ground beef and vegetable soup is flavorful and fast to fix. It makes a consummate meal when served with warm cornbread, sourdough bread or French bread if you enjoy a supper with a side. —Lynnette Davis, Tullahoma, Tennessee

Squash & Chicken Stew

We created a satisfying stew that's nutritious, loaded with flavour and family-friendly. Slowly simmer chicken thighs with stewed tomatoes, butternut squash, light-green peppers and onion for repast-in-i convenience. —Gustation of Home Exam Kitchen

Green Chile Stew

Peppers give this downwardly-dwelling house green chili stew a wonderful rich flavour your family volition love. —Mary Spill, Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico

Lamb Stew

My grandmother used to make this stew as a special Sun meal. It'due south an unforgettable treat from Ireland. —Vickie Desourdy, Washington, N Carolina

Barley Risotto and Beefiness Stroganoff

I was missing my Russian grandma's barley porridge and beefiness stroganoff, 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

Craven Stew with Gnocchi

My chicken stew makes the house scent wonderful as it gently bubbles in the tedious cooker. I whiff and my family heads to the kitchen to come across if it's ready. —Marge Drake, Juniata, Nebraska

Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

When there's a chill in the air, nothing beats this Crock-Pot beef stew. Seasoned with thyme and dry mustard, the hearty slow-cooker beef stew is chock-full of tender carrots, potatoes and meat. —Earnestine Wilson, Waco, Texas

Slow-Cooker Burgundy Beef

When my adult children are coming over for dinner, this is the asking. All 3 of them, and their significant others, love this dish. Yum! — Urilla Cheverie, Alfred, Maine

Sugariness Potato Stew

Beef broth and herbs complement the potatoes' subtle sweetness in this hearty stew that's perfect for fall. — Helen Vail, Glenside, Pennsylvania

New Year's Oyster Stew

Oyster stew is quite pop along the coast of Ireland, where oysters are served to celebrate many festivals. Immigrants brought the recipe with them to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.Southward. —Christa Scott, Santa Iron, New Mexico

Fiesta-Twisted Brunswick Stew

Traditionally made with game meat, this updated Brunswick stew, using spicy sausage, is a modern mom'southward best friend. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

Taco Stew

The ingredients are uncomplicated, but together they make this awesome stew. If you desire to a little added crunch, crush a few tortilla chips on peak of each bowl. —Suzanne Francis, Marysville, Washington

Quicker Chicken and Dumplings

Ready in 30 minutes, this like shooting fish in a barrel chicken and dumplings recipe takes advantage of convenience items and uses fourth dimension-saving, driblet-style dumplings. —Willie DeWaard, Coralville, Iowa

Beefiness Bourguignon

This stovetop stew is loaded with sense of taste, but is piece of cake to do. While the name sounds fancy, even a offset cook tin master it. It's our traditional vacation meal.—Elodie Rosinovsky, Brighton, Massachusetts

Sugariness Potato Lentil Stew

I savage in love with the spicy aromas in this tiresome-cooked lentil stew. Add whatever ingredients you have on manus, like zucchini, spinach, kale and corn. —Heather Grayness, Little Rock, Arkansas

Hearty Beef & Sweet Potato Stew

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

Leap-Thyme Chicken Stew

During a long winter (and spring), my married man and I were in need of something warm, comforting and vivid. This craven was the perfect affair. Information technology fills the house with the smell of home when Mom would make chicken soup, with a little something extra. —Amy Chase, Vanderhoof, British Columbia

Beef Stew with Pasta

I have happy memories of my mother's tomato plant-y beef stew, and so I combined her recipe with a bunch of fall veggies I needed to utilise. The result was a fun, fill-you-upward dinner. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

Braised Pork Stew

Pork tenderloin becomes amazingly tender in this braised stew. It'due south a fantastic meal for a cold winter night. —Nella Parker, Hersey, Michigan

Weekday Beef Stew

Beef stew capped with flaky puff pastry adds comfort to the weeknight menu—my family is always glad to encounter this meal. Make a salad and call your oversupply to the table. —Daniel Anderson, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Tiresome-Cooked Lentil Stew

This vegetarian stew is perfect when you desire to have a pause from meat. Adding the cream at the end gives it a smoother texture.—Michelle Collins, Suffolk Virginia

Tiresome-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 Beef Bourguignon

When we married iv decades agone, I found this bourguignon recipe in a French cookbook. My husband and I still serve it for very special occasions. —Lyn Robitaille, East Hartland, Connecticut

Stovetop Root Vegetable Beefiness Stew

To me, the definition of "cozy" is a pot of tender beef simmering with sweet potatoes and parsnips. Information technology doesn't become amend than that. —Beth Rossos, Estacada, Oregon

Mainly Mushroom Beef Carbonnade

This is the ultimate comfort food, an globe-and-turf combo that smells delicious while cooking and tastes like dwelling. The mushrooms gustation then meaty, you tin can subtract the amount of beef and add more portabellos if you like. —Susan Asanovic, Wilton, Connecticut

Cazuela

I learned to make this dish while we were living in Republic of chile for a few months. We grow actress butternut squash in our garden just for this recipe. —Louise Schmid, Marshall, Minnesota

Beefiness Stew Provencal

When I was young, my favorite food to order in a restaurant was beef stew. My female parent 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 and so much that now it's a tradition every time the whole family unit is together. —Chelsey Larsen, Sparks, Nevada

Ravin' Good Stew

This stew is loaded with ingredients. It's sure to fill up the kids before they head out play a trick on-or-treating, and the family enjoys it all season long! —Shirley Smith, Yorba Linda, California

African Peanut Sweet Tater Stew

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

Slow-Cooked Hearty Jambalaya

I love anything with Cajun spices, then I came up with this slow-cooker jambalaya that's just as adept as that served in restaurants. If yous can't find Andouille sausage, hot links, smoked sausage or chorizo will also piece of work. I like to serve information technology with warm cornbread and garnished with sliced dark-green onions. —Jennifer Fulk, Moreno Valley, California

Pork Chile Verde

Pork slowly stews with jalapenos, onion, greenish enchilada sauce and spices in this flavour-packed Mexican dish. Information technology'southward wonderful on its ain or stuffed in a warm tortilla with sour cream, grated cheese or olives on the side. —Kimberly Burke, Chico, California

Artichoke Beefiness Stew

The recipe for this special stew was given to me by a dear friend earlier she moved to another state. She served it with dumplings, simply my married man prefers noodles. —Janell Schmidt, Athelstane, Wisconsin

Hearty Brunswick Stew

Like a thick, hearty soup, this stew is packed with tender chicken and an eye-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 like shooting fish in a barrel to set, this thick stew has a comforting, chili-like flavor. It'southward my best barley recipe. I'm sure you'll agree that it'south a tasty dish. —Lisa Kolenich, Regina, Saskatchewan

Slow Cooker Beef Vegetable Stew

Come up home to warm comfort food! This vegetable beef stew is based on my mom's wonderful recipe, but I adjusted information technology for the slow cooker. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan to each bowl for a nice finishing touch. —Marcella W, 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, North Dakota

Favorite Hamburger Stew

I got this hamburger stew recipe from a woman at our church, Lois Henry, when I needed a way to use up our bounty of habitation-canned tomatoes. My husband loves it, and I like that it's easy to warm upwardly for a carefree dinner in the winter months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota

Great Northern Bean Stew

This thick and hearty stew with great northern beans is certain to hunt the wintertime chills away. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas

Stephanie's Slow-Cooker Stew

Start this warming 1-pot meal before you head out for the mean solar day. Past the time you go home, the well-seasoned meat volition 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 employ morels, of course, but infant portobellos or push mushrooms or volition work, also. —Amy Wertheim, Atlanta, Illinois

Sausage & Kale Lentil Stew

I made a pot of this crawly soup when visiting my sister and her family unit. At present, I'll bring it along when I stop past or pack up a few containers for my nephew, who appreciates a dwelling-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 slow-cooked stew named after the pot it'south cooked in.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Lentil & Chicken Sausage Stew

This hearty and healthy stew will warm your family right downwards to their toes! Serve with cornbread or rolls to soak upwardly every last drib. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois

Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

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

Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Stew

Shh! Don't tell anyone! This recipe is so simple, only you'd never know information technology. My married man, who normally doesn't like craven, asks for this dish regularly. —Mary Watkins, Little Elm, Texas

Satisfying Beef Stew

This beef stew is and so hearty and tastes fifty-fifty better the next day—if there are leftovers! It goes great with cornbread or whatsoever crusty loaf. —Abbey Mueller, Enid, Oklahoma

Satay-Style Pork Stew

Thai cuisine features flavors that are hot and sour, salty and sugariness. This one-dish pork satay balances all of them using ginger and cerise pepper flakes, rice vinegar, garlic, lime juice and flossy peanut butter. —Nicole Werner, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Southwestern Craven & Lima Bean Stew

I dearest to have my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren over for this supper. They make me then happy with their compliments or merely by going to fill up their bowls once again. It's a good-for-you hit. —Pam Corder, Monroe, Louisiana

Squash and Lentil Lamb Stew

My family lived in New Zealand many years ago. Every Sunday my mother made a lamb stew—it was Dad's favorite! I changed the recipe to suit my family's more modernistic palates, but information technology notwithstanding seems just as exotic and delicious. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Chicken Vegetable Back-scratch

This comfort dish gets fabulous flavor when I add chicken, sweet red peppers, kokosnoot milk and the all-important seasoning, curry pulverisation. —Roxana Lambeth, Moreno Valley, California

Beef Daube Provencal

This dish is perfect on cold winter days, especially after we have been out cutting wood or white-tail hunting. If you are lucky enough to have venison, attempt information technology here for melt-in-your-oral cavity goodness. —Brenda Ryan, Marshall, Missouri

Meatball Chili with Dumplings

My family enjoys this delicious recipe—information technology's like 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 flavor of the potatoes and carrots to come through. It's the perfect homemade dish for a blustery winter twenty-four hour period. —Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Apple Craven Stew

My husband and I enjoy visiting the apple orchards in nearby Nebraska City. We ever brand sure to buy actress cider to employ in this sensational deadening-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 beefiness—loaded with a fantastic mushroom season 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/