What's the secret to a good beef stew? Buying cheap cuts of meat!
Are You Using the Right Beef Stew Meat?
Updated on Sep. 30, 2024
Would it surprise you to learn that cheaper is better? When it comes to beef stew meat, it’s true! If you try using a tender cut of beef, that slow-cooked stew will turn out chewy and tough every time. We know that totally sounds backward, but it turns out that tougher, less-expensive cuts of beef are where it’s at.
(Psst: THIS is the way to get the best meat—and deals—from your butcher.)
If ribeyes, top sirloins, and beef tenderloin are calling to you at the butcher counter, put away your beef stew recipe and serve up steak and potatoes instead. If you simmer those tender cuts for long periods of time, all that beautifully marbled fat will just melt away into the broth. Without the fat, the meat seizes up, leaving you with tough, chewy bites of meat that certainly won’t live up to their price tag.
Here are the cuts of beef every home cook should know.
What Are the Best Cuts of Beef for Stew?
There’s no such thing as “beef stew meat” (although, you’ll find many butcher shops carry pre-cut options labeled with this name). You should definitely ask the butcher what type of beef it is, because it could come from a few different primal cuts. The best (and least expensive) beef stew meat comes from the front shoulder, also known as the chuck. The rear muscle (also called the round) would definitely make a great stew, but we like chuck better because it has more connective tissue.
Why Do Tough Cuts Work Best?
Unlike tender steaks, the tough cuts come from well-worked muscles. These stronger muscles have lots of collagen-rich connective tissue. That connective tissue isn’t like intermuscular fat: It won’t just leech out into your broth. Instead, it melts into the meat and releases gelatin, giving everything a nice body and a rich mouthfeel. Sounds pretty great, right? The only caveat is that you have 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 gold at the end of the rainbow because the meat will be perfectly melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Because the chuck releases more gelatin as it cooks, it tastes moister than the round, 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’re looking for bone-in options to add extra flavor to your broth, look for bone-in short ribs or oxtail. The latter will give you 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
Turkey Stew with DumplingsMy husband and I love dumplings, and this mild-tasting, homey dish has flavorful ones floating on a tasty turkey and vegetable stew. It really hits the spot on chilly fall and winter days. —Rita Taylor, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Mushroom-Bean BourguignonIn 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 StewMy version of beef stew is comfort food with a healthy twist. I use lentils and red quinoa rather than potatoes. If leftover stew seems too thick, add more beef stock when reheating. —Margaret Roscoe, Keystone Heights, Florida
Curry Chicken StewMy Grandma Inky grew up in India and passed down this recipe to my mother, who then passed it down to me. The recipe brings back fond memories of the family gathered around the table, enjoying this delicious meal and catching up on one another's day. I tweaked the ingredients a bit to fit my toddler's taste buds, but it's just as scrumptious as Grandma's own. —Teresa Flowers, Sacramento, California
Quick Ham and Bean SoupIf you like ham and bean soup but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, this tasty, quick version will leave you with a satisfied smile. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Hungarian GoulashThis Hungarian goulash recipe features tender chunks of beef and a rich sauce infused with paprika and caraway seeds. It's a warm and comforting slow-cooker meal that is best served over egg noodles.
Creamy Bratwurst StewA 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 winter evenings. —Susan Holmes, Germantown, Wisconsin
Cassoulet for TodayFrench cassoulet is traditionally cooked for hours. This version of the rustic dish offers the same homey taste in less time. It’s easy on the wallet too. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida
Spicy Beef Vegetable StewThis zesty ground beef and vegetable soup is flavorful and fast to fix. It makes a complete 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 StewWe created a satisfying stew that’s nutritious, loaded with flavor and family-friendly. Slowly simmer chicken thighs with stewed tomatoes, butternut squash, green peppers and onion for meal-in-one convenience. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Contest-Winning Green Chile Pork StewThis award-winning green chili pork stew recipe uses roasted green chilies, potatoes and chunks of pork simmered low and slow until perfectly tender.
Lamb StewTender chunks of lamb come together with carrots and potatoes in this rich, hearty lamb stew recipe. Serve it as a one-pot meal with crusty bread, or double down on comfort by ladling the stew over polenta or mashed potatoes.
Barley Risotto and Beef StroganoffI was missing my Russian grandma's barley porridge and beef 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
Chicken Stew with GnocchiMy chicken stew makes the house smell wonderful as it gently bubbles in the slow cooker. One whiff and my family heads to the kitchen to see if it's ready. —Marge Drake, Juniata, Nebraska
Slow-Cooker Beef StewThis slow-cooker beef stew recipe certainly satisfies when it's chilly outside. Each spoonful delivers tender bites of beef, creamy potatoes and chunky vegetables in a rich mustard-seasoned broth.
Slow-Cooker Beef BurgundyLearn how to make crock pot bourguignon, a classic (and delicious!) French stew.
Sweet Potato StewBeef 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 StewOyster stew is quite popular 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.S. —Christa Scott, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Fiesta-Twisted Brunswick StewTraditionally made with game meat, this updated Brunswick stew, using spicy sausage, is a modern mom’s best friend. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Taco ChiliRanch dressing mix is the secret ingredient that makes this Mexican taco chili recipe so amazing that guests will wonder how you made it. To make things even better, the chili practically cooks itself in a slow cooker once you've browned the beef.
Chicken and DumplingsThis homestyle chicken and dumpling soup recipe is just like mom's with its classic mirepoix base and doughy drop dumplings.
Slow-Simmered Burgundy Beef StewDon't be intimidated at the idea of making Beef Bourguignon, it's just a farmhouse stew with an accent. This recipe simplifies the process by streamlining a few steps, making it an elevated option for those comfort-food days.
Sweet Potato Lentil StewYou'll want to make enough for second helpings of this aromatic and zesty Sweet Potato Lentil Soup that will satisfy your comfort food craving while delivering a mega dose of healthy veggies.
Hearty Beef & Sweet Potato StewI have fond memories of growing up in an Irish-Italian family and learning to cook from my grandparents. Beefy stew reminds me of their precious contributions. —Renee Murphy, Smithtown, New York
Chicken StewThis chicken stew is a comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, hearty vegetables, a rich, savory broth—and a surprise ingredient.
Beef Stew with PastaI have happy memories of my mother's tomato-y beef stew, so I combined her recipe with a bunch of fall veggies I needed to use. The result was a fun, fill-you-up dinner. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
Pork Tenderloin StewThis thick and creamy pork tenderloin stew is one that my family requests often. It does an especially good job of warming us up on cold winter days. —Janet Allen, Belleville, Illinois
Weekday Beef StewBeef stew capped with flaky puff pastry adds comfort to the weeknight menu—my family is always glad to see this meal. Make a salad and call your crowd to the table. —Daniel Anderson, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Lentil StewMake dinner easy by having this lentil stew simmering on the stove. It's satisfying whether you serve it as a main course or side dish.
Slow-Cooked Stuffed Pepper StewThis 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 BourguignonWhen we married four decades ago, 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 Beef StewTo me, the definition of “cozy” is a pot of tender beef simmering with sweet potatoes and parsnips. It doesn't get better than that. —Beth Rossos, Estacada, Oregon
Mainly Mushroom Beef CarbonnadeThis is the ultimate comfort food, an earth-and-turf combo that smells delicious while cooking and tastes like home. The mushrooms taste so meaty, you can decrease the amount of beef and add more portabellos if you like. —Susan Asanovic, Wilton, Connecticut
CazuelaThis cazuela recipe brings the warmth and comfort of Chilean cuisine to your table in just under an hour. Packed with chicken, squash and potatoes, it's the perfect hearty stew to enjoy over rice.
Beef Stew ProvencalWhen I was young, my favorite food to order in a restaurant was beef stew. My mother and I decided to create our own and experimented with different ingredients until we came up with this recipe. Everyone liked this slow cooker version so much that now it's a tradition every time the whole family is together. —Chelsey Larsen, Sparks, Nevada
Ravin’ Good StewThis stew is loaded with ingredients. It's sure to fill up the kids before they head out trick-or-treating, and the family enjoys it all season long! —Shirley Smith, Yorba Linda, California
African Peanut StewThis hearty slow-cooker stew is a wonderful meal to serve when you’re making dinner for folks with all types of dietary restrictions (or none whatsoever!).
Slow-Cooked Hearty JambalayaI love anything with Cajun spices, so I came up with this slow-cooker jambalaya that’s just as good as that served in restaurants. If you can’t find Andouille sausage, hot links, smoked sausage or chorizo will also work. I like to serve it with warm cornbread and garnished with sliced green onions. —Jennifer Fulk, Moreno Valley, California
Pork Chile VerdePork slowly stews with jalapenos, onion, green enchilada sauce and spices in this flavor-packed Mexican dish. It's wonderful on its own or stuffed in a warm tortilla with sour cream, grated cheese or olives on the side. —Kimberly Burke, Chico, California
Artichoke Beef StewThe recipe for this special stew was given to me by a dear friend before she moved to another state. She served it with dumplings, but my husband prefers noodles. —Janell Schmidt, Athelstane, Wisconsin
Brunswick StewBrunswick stew dates back to the 1860s, when it was served as a complete meal. We now use it as an accompaniment to barbecues. It is delicious picnic fare when served with country ribs, coleslaw or potato salad. When I make this stew, I double the recipe and freeze small portions so we can enjoy it at several meals. —Alyce Ray, Forest Park, Georgia
Southwestern Beef Barley StewHearty and easy to fix, this thick stew has a comforting, chili-like flavor. It's my best barley recipe. I'm sure you'll agree that it's a tasty dish. —Lisa Kolenich, Regina, Saskatchewan
Slow Cooker Beef Vegetable StewCome home to warm comfort food! This vegetable beef stew is based on my mom’s wonderful recipe, but I adjusted it for the slow cooker. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan to each bowl for a nice finishing touch. —Marcella West, Washburn, Illinois
Turkey Biscuit StewThis chunky stew makes a hearty supper, especially in the fall and winter. It'salso a great way to use extra turkey during the holidays. —Lori Schlecht, Wimbledon, North Dakota
Hamburger StewSimmer up a big pot of hamburger stew to feed the whole crew. It's packed with beef, veggies, rice and potatoes, but you can add whatever else you like.
Great Northern Bean StewThis thick and hearty stew with great northern beans is sure to chase the winter chills away. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
Beef & Mushroom Braised StewEvery spring, my family heads out to our timber acreage to collect morel mushrooms, and then we cook up this stew. We use morels, of course, but baby portobellos or button mushrooms or will work, too. —Amy Wertheim, Atlanta, Illinois
Sausage and Lentil SoupSpicy sausage and chicken broth flavor the milder lentils and beans in this sausage and lentil soup recipe. Tomatoes and spinach add color while goat cheese tops it off with a bit of tanginess.
Moroccan Vegetable Chicken TagineTake a trip to Morocco with this rich, exotic dish. A tagine is a North African slow-cooked stew named after the pot it’s cooked in.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lentil & Chicken Sausage StewThis hearty and healthy stew will warm your family right down to their toes! Serve with cornbread or rolls to soak up every last morsel. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois
Louisiana Red Beans and RiceSmoked turkey sausage and red pepper flakes add zip to this saucy, slow-cooked version of Louisiana red beans and rice. For extra heat, add red pepper sauce at the table. —Julia Bushree, Georgetown, Texas
Creamy Chicken & Broccoli StewShh! Don’t tell anyone! This recipe is so simple, but you’d never know it. My husband, who normally doesn’t like chicken, asks for this dish regularly. —Mary Watkins, Little Elm, Texas
Satisfying Beef StewThis beef stew is so hearty and tastes even better the next day—if there are leftovers! It goes great with cornbread or any crusty loaf. —Abbey Mueller, Enid, Oklahoma
Satay-Style Pork StewThai cuisine features flavors that are hot and sour, salty and sweet. This one-dish pork satay balances all of them using ginger and red pepper flakes, rice vinegar, garlic, lime juice and creamy peanut butter. —Nicole Werner, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Southwestern Chicken & Lima Bean StewI love to have my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren over for this supper. They make me so happy with their compliments or just by going to fill up their bowls again. It's a good-for-you hit. —Pam Corder, Monroe, Louisiana
Squash and Lentil Lamb StewMy 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 modern palates, but it still seems just as exotic and delicious. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Chicken Vegetable CurryThis comfort dish gets fabulous flavor when I add chicken, sweet red peppers, coconut milk and the all-important seasoning, curry powder. —Roxana Lambeth, Moreno Valley, California
Beef Daube ProvencalThis 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, try it here for melt-in-your-mouth goodness. —Brenda Ryan, Marshall, Missouri
Meatball Chili with DumplingsMy family enjoys this delicious recipe—it's like a spicy meatball stew with dumplings!—Sarah Yoder, Middlebury, Indiana
Don't forget to take a look at our collection of the best stew recipes.
Classic Beef StewThis 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 day. —Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Apple Chicken StewMy husband and I enjoy visiting the apple orchards in nearby Nebraska City. We always make sure to buy extra cider to use in this sensational slow-cooked stew. —Carol Mathias, Lincoln, Nebraska
Portobello Beef BurgundyRely 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 beef—loaded with a fantastic mushroom flavor and draped in a rich, burgundy sauce—are sure to have your guests asking for seconds of this potluck pleaser! —Melissa Galinat, Lakeland, Florida
