Why Is My Beef Stew Watery

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Y'all're preparing a hearty pot of beefiness stew. It's got proficient flavour, but it'south notwithstanding kind of runny even after a long simmer-sesh. Naturally, you lot want your stew to be thicker than a regular sometime bowl of soup—that's i of the main differences between the two dishes, afterward all. And then how do you get the sleeky, rich results you lot want? Here's how to thicken stew (information technology'south easy, promise).

How to Thicken Stew in 3 Easy Ways

Before you determine on a thickening method, take stock (heh) of the type of stew y'all're cooking. Is information technology meat-based (similar chicken or beef)? Is it mean to be more saucy, or chunky? And are at that place any dietary restrictions? Next, you can pick your thickening amanuensis.

How to Thicken Stew With Flour

Flour is a traditional thickener for stew, and information technology tin can be added in a few different means. You lot'll want to use about 1½ teaspoons of flour per cup of liquid added to the stew.

• If the stew is meat-based, you tin add together the flour when you sear the meat (aka before calculation any liquid). This volition not only melt off the raw-flour gustation and lend trunk to the stew; it also helps the meat develop a tasty golden crust. Dredge the meat in enough flour to glaze it earlier searing in the pot y'all're making your stew in.

• Make a roux by combining equal parts flour and butter. Melt the butter in the pot over medium heat, so whisk in the flour and cook until it's gilt brown and smells nutty. The liquid for your stew can then be added and whisked to combine.

• If you're non searing the meat first, yous tin can add the flour in a slurry: Mix equal parts cold h2o and flour, stirring until it'southward thoroughly combined with no clumps. So, slowly pour the flour slurry into the simmering stew, stirring to forbid lumps. The stew should then be brought to a boil to melt the flour and activate the starch.

• Make a beurre manié, which is French for "kneaded butter." It's a mixture of equal parts soft butter and flour, similar to a roux but it gets added subsequently the liquid (and is less probable to clump). Simply mix equal parts butter and flour in a small bowl until it'due south the texture of playdough, then add to the stew in minor additions until it's thickened to your liking.

How to Thicken Stew With Cornstarch

Cornstarch will thicken stew similar to flour, but has the added do good of being flavorless and won't cloud the liquid as much. It's also gluten-free but has to be added carefully to avoided gloppy lumps. One tablespoon cornstarch per cup of liquid will give you lot a medium-thick stew that's non overly viscous.

• Make a slurry past combining equal parts cold water and cornstarch in a small-scale bowl, and whisking thoroughly to combine. Pour the slurry into the stew while it'southward simmering, whisky constantly while bringing it to a total boil. Eddy the stew for at least a minute, to ensure the cornstarch is activated (otherwise, it won't thicken properly).

How to Thicken Stew With Arrowroot

Arrowroot is almost identical to cornstarch, but information technology'south smoother and fifty-fifty clearer. Information technology's also gluten-free, simply shouldn't be used in stews containing a lot of dairy (or it might go slimy). Like cornstarch, utilize about one tablespoon per cup of liquid added to the stew.

• Brand a slurry past combining equal parts cold water and arrowroot in a small basin, and whisking thoroughly to combine. Pour the slurry into the stew while it's simmering, whisky constantly while bringing information technology to a full boil. Boil the stew for at least a minute, to ensure the arrowroot is activated (otherwise, it won't thicken properly).

How do you thicken stew in a slow cooker?

No affair what thickener you cull for your stew, they all require loftier estrus to really do their job. But what if y'all're making stew in a slow cooker, where you accept less control over the temperature (and information technology's not super-hot to begin with)? Here's how to thicken stew in a deadening cooker.

1. Prop the lid: Since the lid of the slow cooker traps evaporating liquid, the moisture content remains the same. Simply if yous prop the chapeau slightly with a wooden spoon or chopstick, some of the liquid has a adventure to dissipate, which will thicken the stew slightly.
2. Puree the soup slightly: If y'all're making a vegetable stew, yous can use an immersion blender or regular blender to puree some of the mixture. This volition thicken the stew slightly without adding whatever additional ingredients.
3. Use less liquid: If y'all know you desire the last dish to be on the thicker side, you lot can slightly reduce the amount of liquid from the beginning. (And if it looks too thick, you can ever add more liquid as needed.)

RELATED: How to Thicken Sauce in seven Succulent Ways

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Source: https://www.purewow.com/food/how-to-thicken-stew

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