beef stew question

[FarmerChick]

I make normal beef stew LOL
hubby says it is 'kinda bland' but I love it and he can't describe what is 'missing' in his taste.

so how do ya'll season up beef stew? just wanting to see some ingredients to see if I can give mine more of a zip

 

[Wannabefree]

Salt, and onion.

 

[gettinaclue]

salt, pepper, garlic, onion, carrots, potatoes, a little rue to thicken it (i think it's better than cornstarch) Don't use meat that is to lean, fat gives the best flavor I think.

That being said, DH says mine is a bit bland as well...but I love it.

Waiting to hear suggestions......

 

[calendula]

Salt makes anything taste good. The last time I made beef stew, I used some beef broth that I had made. I boiled it down until it was pretty concentrated, so that gave it a really good flavor. The recipe for beef stew in Nourishing Traditions also calls for tomato paste, which I had never added to stew before, but it was a nice flavor.

 

[moolie]

My Mom always put in a generous dollop of ketchup that gave a nice kick.

My own stew is stew bison chunks (shaken with salt & pepper flour) browned in a bit of olive or coconut oil with lots of onions, then into the crock pot with a jar of home-canned crushed tomatoes, carrots, celery, potatoes, parsnips, and whatever other veggies I have around. Seasoned to taste with more salt & pepper if needed. I sometimes add bell peppers during the last hour (long cooking can make peppers bitter). It's always a hit

eta: just been reminded by hubs that my best stews include a good couple of glugs of a nice red wine.

 

[freemotion]

My soups and stews tasted bland to me for a while after I stopped using bullion (msg!) Boiling down the broth helps, and roasting the veggies helps, really browning the meat in a cast iron skillet helps. When it is done cooking, if it is too bland, I add garlic and onion powders and more salt and pepper, cook another five minutes, and taste again and adjust again.

eta: Browning in saved bacon grease REALLY helps!

 

[curly_kate]

The recipe I've used for beef stew calls for tomato juice, and one time I realized I didn't have any on hand, so I used bloody Mary mix. Best. stew. ever!

 

[JRmom]

Good beef stock and a good glug of Worcestershire sauce.

 

[FarmerChick]

ok darn near everything everyone said is what I use except the red wine or Worchestire. I have the WOR. on hand and will put in a slug.

I also added more onion and some onion salt to kick it up a bit.

I know I don't want to go to salty...lol...that will probably happen to me

I use a bit of tomatoe paste also. If not paste, I throw in sauce. I think that gives it a good twang also.



well I have a beef stew in the crockpot and all has been done as listed.....except the Wor. so I will go pour in a bit now and will see what happens. I think adding a few extra bits of the onion, garlic etc....I upped the taste factor I hope without going overboard.

thanks all

 

[luvinlife offthegrid]

I sautee onions, garlic, and celery with butter, salt, and pepper. Sometimes I omit the celery. Then I braise the meat with that. Then I add the water and add a whole dried bay leaf (broken in half) and some parsely. That may be what hubby is missing. The bay leaf gives it that classic "beef stew" flavor. Whatever you try, Let us know how it turns out!