Stew meat is made from inexpensive cuts of meat with tough connective tissue, which is why it is usually braised in a liquid like stock to make stew. But sometimes you need a break from a classic beef stew. You can really stretch your budget by using stew meat to cook a multitude of dishes. In fact, it's never a bad idea to stock up on this cheap cut and freeze it for future meals. Wondering what to make with stew meat? Here are 18 recipe ideas that use stew meat that aren't stew.
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Egusi Soup
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"Delicious and very filling," raves HurdBird.
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Mom Sykes' Hungarian Goulash
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"The lemon flavor gives you a pleasant surprise in this tender goulash served over egg noodles." —GabbyB
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Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff I
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While traditional beef stroganoff often uses beef sirloin steak, you can save some serious dough by opting for beef stew meat instead. "This was a great comfort food dinner, perfect after a very long day — so easy to make," says reviewer MomSavedbyGrace.
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Beef Tips
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There are a number of cuts of beef that folks use to make beef tips, including tenderloin, sirloin, and chuck roast. But you can save yourself time and money by using pre-cut stew meat instead. Find out for yourself why these melt-in-your-mouth beef tips have over 600 five-star ratings.
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Alison's Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup
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Looking for the same comfort-food flavor of beef stew without the heaviness? Try using your stew meat to make this vegetable and beef soup instead. Simply dump all the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for eight hours.
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Simple Slow-Cooked Korean Beef Soft Tacos
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Tantalizing Asian flavor meets the handheld goodness of a taco in this tasty recipe. Use chuck roast or stew meat to create a garlicky, sweet, and spicy filling that's guaranteed to satisfy.
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Beef, Mushroom and Guinness® Pie
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This traditional beef and mushroom pie is flavored with Irish stout and topped with a flakey, puff-pastry crust. "The Guinness flavor really develops as it sits - so the flavor is a lot stronger if you eat it as leftovers the next day," says reviewer chikalin.
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Slow-Cooked Stew Meat Chili
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"This hearty slow cooker steak chili is truly a snap to prepare, " says recipe creator Katie. "After browning the beef and stirring in the spices to give them a slightly toasted flavor, you simply toss everything into a slow cooker and let the mixture simmer all day."
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Slow Cooker Borscht
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Borscht soup is common throughout Eastern Europe and much of Northern Asia, particularly in Ukraine. The signature red color can be attributed to the beets. Recipe creator DAVISAM1 says, "The best thing about this borscht (other than its delicious flavor) is that it can cook all day long in the slow cooker and be waiting for you when you come home at night. One of my family's ultimate winter comfort foods."
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Texas Beef Soup
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This slow-cooker soup is made up of a variety of short-cut ingredients: Beef stew meat, beef broth, canned mixed vegetables, and canned vegetable juice co*cktail.
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Cowboy Tacos
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These quick yet hearty tacos are filled to the brim with pork stew meat, salsa, chili beans, sliced olives, and apricot preserves for a touch of sweetness.
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Big Game Day Chili
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With tailgate season upon us, you'll want to add this sweet-heat chili to your rotation. But if you are bringing it to a tailgate, you might want to make a double serving according to reviewer Mishel Hernandez: "This is such good chili! Took a big bowl to a friend's and expected to take some home. Nope! It was all gone!"
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Grandmaw Cain's Beef Tips and Rice
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Beef stew meat, wild rice, and sliced mushrooms are combined in this hearty dish that's perfect for busy weeknights. Reviewer Sarah Jo suggests cutting the water back by a quarter cup and replacing it with red wine to elevate the flavor.
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Molasses-Beef Curry
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"Being dairy and soy free has made it difficult to eat some of my favorite foods: Japanese," says recipe creator mdcook. "This is a soy and dairy free version of one of my favorite meals."
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Sweet Grilled Steak Bites
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Marinated beef stew meat is grilled kabob-style. Reviewer Maryse Ownie-Crilly Kloss describes it as, "Sweet, tangy, and smoky."
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Pink Sauce Beef Tips
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Beef-stew meat is simmered with Marsala wine and tossed in a Alfredo/spaghetti sauce combination in this simple Italian-inspired dish. "What a creative mix for the sauce! A creamy spaghetti wine sauce mixed with beef," says reviewer somethingdifferentagain?!
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Instant Pot Taco Bowls
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What better way to tenderize beef stew meat than by pressure cooking it in the Instant Pot? It's the key to these meal-prepped taco bowls.
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Sweet and Sour Beef
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"The meat was tender and the sauce thickened to the perfect consistency," says reviewer lutzflcat. "The beef flavor definitely infused the sweet-sour sauce in a good way!"
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More Inspiration
- Best Ground Beef Recipes for Beginner Cooks
- 15 Best Beef Dinners for Two
- The Basic Cuts of Beef Every Cook Should Know