How Much Flour To Use For Perfectly Browned Stew Meat (2024)

ByKristina Vanni

A comforting bowl of flavorful beef stew is like a warm hug on a cold winter day. It should be filled with hearty vegetables, a rich broth, and, of course, perfectly browned stew meat. The key to a stew that is full of flavor as well as just the right consistency is, surprisingly, flour. The cubes of beef need to be dredged in flour before browning in the pan for the perfect result. As a bonus, this flour also helps thicken the whole thing as well.

However, how is a home cook to know what is the correct amount of flour to use when dredging meat?Celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern has offered acooking tip for his go-to measurement. He suggests as a rule of thumb to budget about one cup of flour for every pound of meat used in a dish. To properly dredge, add this amount of flour to a large, shallow dish and then toss each piece of stew meat in, thoroughly coating on all sides, and shaking off any excess.

Why flour helps brown stew meat

How Much Flour To Use For Perfectly Browned Stew Meat (2)

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Most recipes for beef stew will first call for this step — where the pieces of stew meat are dredged in seasoned flour before being added to a hot pan. This affects the recipe in a few ways. The flour adds a protective layer to the delicate meat so it isn't destroyed by the high heat in the pan. Also, the flour helps brown the meat because of its starch content. This starch will caramelize quickly in the moment the meat hits the searing hot pan, ultimately resulting in a beautifully browned crust on the surface. This color will become the first building block of flavor for the final dish.

It is also important toseason the dredging flour generously to get the best results. The flour acts as a binder to help attach seasoning to the meat and thus starts to build flavor in the dish from the very beginning. Just be sure to brown the cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. This will ensure the everything can brown evenly and not steam.

Flour also thickens the stew

How Much Flour To Use For Perfectly Browned Stew Meat (3)

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After the meat is browned in the hot pan with oil, there will be bits of flour left behind. These delicious gems at the bottom of the pan are called fond and they are the secret to a perfect pot of stew as you proceed with the rest of the recipe. Eventually these browned bits will deglaze from the bottom of the pan and not only add deeper flavor to the final dish, but they will thicken the stew as well. When flour combines with fat (in this case the cooking oil or rendered fat from the beef), it creates a flavorful roux that acts as a thickening agent.

By heeding the tip of using a generous amount of flour from the very beginning, there's no fear of a thin or weak broth in your final dish. Ultimately, beef stew should be a delectable stick to your ribs meal in a bowl where each bite is coated in a rich and flavorful sauce.

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How Much Flour To Use For Perfectly Browned Stew Meat (2024)

FAQs

How Much Flour To Use For Perfectly Browned Stew Meat? ›

Celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern has offered a cooking tip for his go-to measurement. He suggests as a rule of thumb to budget about one cup of flour for every pound of meat used in a dish.

How to brown stew meat with flour? ›

Heat oil over medium heat in a large dutch oven. Place meat in bag with the flour and shake until well coated. Shake off meat pieces and add them to the oil and stir until slightly browned, Add remaining flour from the bag and the finely chopped onion. Stir until well browned.

How much flour to add to stew? ›

How to Thicken Stew With Flour. Flour is a traditional thickener for stew, and it can be added in a few different ways. You'll want to use about 1½ teaspoons of flour per cup of liquid added to the stew. If the stew is meat-based, you can add the flour when you sear the meat (aka before adding any liquid).

Should you coat stew meat with flour before browning? ›

Tossing the raw meat in a starch, like flour, will increase the rate of browning, but browned flour just doesn't taste as good as browned beef. Eventually, that liquid will evaporate again, and your meat will start browning, but the problem is that the entire time the liquid is steaming, your meat continues to cook.

Why do you put flour in stew meat? ›

Toss meat pieces in flour prior to browning. The flour helps to thicken a stew as it cooks. Whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it's cooking. Don't add dry flour directly to the stew as it may clump.

How long do I brown stew meat? ›

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place butter and vegetable oil in a large roasting pan and heat in oven until butter is melted. Season beef with salt and pepper and add to the hot pan. Brown the beef in the oven, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes.

Should you drain stew meat after browning? ›

Heat a drizzle of oil in the pan over medium heat and brown the meat on all sides, and drain (unless your recipe says to leave the drippings). You may need to work in batches if using a smaller pan. If you're using a slow cooker, transfer it over.

How many tablespoons of flour in stew? ›

For a small amount of sauce use 1 tablespoon and for a large stew or soup use up to 4 tablespoons. Measure the all-purpose flour and add it to a small mixing bowl. Use a ladle or large spoon to add about 1 cup of hot cooking broth to the bowl with the flour.

How much plain flour to thicken stew? ›

Use two tablespoons flour mixed with ¼ cup cold water for each cup of medium-thick sauce. Thoroughly mix in the water to prevent lumps. After stirring the combined flour and water into the sauce, cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Heat one minute more to cook the flour thoroughly.

How to add flour to stew without clumping? ›

Flour can be mixed with a little cold water to make what is unattractively called a 'slurry', which is then stirred to disperse it and stop it forming clumps – a technique called 'slaking'. After adding to the stew, it's brought to the boil to cook out the flour taste and allow the starch to swell.

Should you brown stew meat before putting it in the crockpot? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

How do I make sure my stew meat is tender? ›

The most important key to making stew meat tender is being sure to cook it for a long time. If you want super tender beef, you'll need to cook it on a low heat in a Dutch oven on the stove or a slow cooker for at least a few hours.

How to sear stew meat? ›

It's a universal method that can be used on steaks, stew meat, or short ribs. Thinly coat your meat with neutral oil, get a pan good and hot over medium-high heat, and cook the meat without moving it until deeply browned. Repeat the process on all sides of the meat.

Can you overcook stew meat? ›

What emerged was beef that dissolved into a dry, pulpy mass in your mouth as soon as your jaw moved. The flavor was there, all right, but the beef was totally destroyed (along with my mom's dreams of stew, and my ego). Turns out you definitely can overcook beef stew.

What is the best thickening agent for beef stew? ›

Five Thickening Agents for Stew
  1. Make a Roux. Roux is a classic French technique that consists of cooking equal parts flour and fat (usually butter) over a low flame until smooth. ...
  2. Incorporate a Purée. Another option for thickening your stew is to incorporate a purée. ...
  3. Add a Starch. ...
  4. Create a Slurry. ...
  5. Whip Up a Beurre Manié
Aug 15, 2022

How do you thicken and darken beef stew? ›

You have lots of options;
  1. Use a spoon to mash some of the potatoes (gold works best). You can also buy potato starch from many grocery stores. ...
  2. Add leftover mashed potatoes.
  3. Add flour directly to the stew. ...
  4. Add gelatin.
  5. Add beef gravy granules. ...
  6. Keep a neutral thickener in your pantry.
Oct 1, 2023

What is the difference between searing and browning? ›

The main differences between browning and searing are temperature and cooking time. With browning, food is cooked at a lower temperature for a longer time. Searing involves the opposite, using high heat to cook meat for a shorter time. The two techniques can also affect the color of the meat.

Why do you coat oxtail with flour? ›

starting the braise with oxtails coating in flour not only gives them a nicer color but also starts thickening some fat. onions x2: onions and southern gravy go hand in hand. to me, the more onions the better. i love onion gravy because it's a quick and easy way to add a lot of flavor without overwhelming the dish.

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