Quick Recipes Using Beef Stew Meat
Tired of stew? There are plenty of other things you can do with the affordable cut of meat.
Image Credit: Azurita/iStock/GettyImages
Stew beef is often a butcher's special at the grocery store, but if you're not in the mood for stew, you may bypass it for a pricier cut. But don't — there are a lot of great stew meat recipes other than stew that you can make, and you'll save money, too.
When looking for stew meat in the grocery store, you may not know what type of meat you're getting. Ask the butcher or meat manager for help. The stew meat you want is beef chuck — it has a connective tissue that breaks down and gives you a tender, delicious finish.
This type of cut is often used in slow cooker recipes, where it's cooked low and slow to help get the meat tender and soft. You can then use the tasty, high-protein meat to make recipes with stew meat like soups, tacos, burgers and, of course, stew.
Tip
When you get home, trim any excess fat from your stew meat — a little fat is good, but too much leads to a greasy meal and too much saturated fat. This will ensure you get the most out of your budget-friendly protein.
15 Beef Stew Meat Recipes That Aren't Stew
There are many ways to get creative with unique, crowd-pleasing recipes that use stew beef cubes. Sure, traditional stovetop beef stew is great, but it's not the only meal you can make with cubed (or ground) chuck. Here are some beef stew alternatives to make with stew meat.
1. Mushroom and Bell Pepper Beef Kebabs
These kebabs have bell pepper for bright color.
Image Credit: Arthur Bovino/LIVESTRONG.com
- Calories: 203
- Protein: 26 grams
You wouldn't expect it, but these beef kebabs are made from chuck roast, making it an affordable and simple option for summertime grilling and barbecues. This recipe uses bell peppers, which are full of antioxidants, but you can use a variety of vegetables to mix things up.
2. Boeuf Bourguignon
Pair this recipe with a side of cauliflower rice for some fiber.
Image Credit: Arthur Bovino/LIVESTRONG.com
- Calories: 413
- Protein: 57 grams
Make this delicious stew meat recipe in a dutch oven, and it'll be ready in a little over 30 minutes. It's relatively low in carbs, with just 20 net grams of carbs per serving, so it's a good option for those on a low-carb diet.
3. Mississippi Roast
Cook this recipe overnight to save time, as it takes about eight hours.
Image Credit: Arthur Bovino/LIVESTRONG.com
- Calories: 430
- Protein: 45 grams
Beef pot roast uses chuck meat and it still comes out super tender and flavorful. This delicious stew meat recipe is low in carbs and high in protein. Pair it with a green salad or a side of quinoa with high-fiber vegetables, like broccoli or Brussels sprouts, for some filling fiber.
4. Sweet and Sour Sloppy Joes
These sloppy joes are easy to pick up with your hands and eat, utensil-free.
Image Credit: Brent Hobacker/Adobe Stock/LIVESTRONG.com
- Calories: 408
- Protein: 28 grams
Pull apart these tender strands of slow-cooked ground beef chuck in this comforting sloppy joe stew meat recipe. Your best to let it cook overnight or to prep in the morning before work, as it takes about seven hours. A bonus: It's high in fiber thanks to quinoa and beans and has a nice Asian cuisine-inspired flair.
5. Healthy Crock-Pot Roast
Use a variety of bright veggies to get more antioxidants.
Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 42 grams
Let this lovely piece of chuck roast simmer in a slow cooker for 20 minutes, which is speedy considering how long most chuck roast recipes take (hours!) — this one's ready in 28 minutes total. Plus, it's keto-approved, as there are 13 grams of net carbs per serving. To increase fiber but keep carbs low, add in greens, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and kale.
6. Crock-Pot Vegetable Beef Soup
This soup is best cooked overnight.
Image Credit: Well Plated
- Calories: 283
- Protein: 24 grams
A hearty, warming soup, this slow cooker beef stew recipe will hit the spot on a chilly evening. Let it cook slow and low for about eight hours. Feel free to add in green veggies or beans to increase the fiber content.
7. Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas
Make this meal higher in antioxidants by adding in more veggies, like carrots and zucchini.
Image Credit: One Lovely Life
- Calories: 216
- Protein: 28.7 grams
These tacos are an easy, high-protein weeknight meal. You can use the stew meat as a salad topper or in a grain bowl, so make a large batch to keep on hand for its versatility and flavor. If you go with the greens, it'll be paleo-friendly! Let the meat simmer in the slow cooker for about four to five hours.
8. Classic Hamburger Recipe
This recipe allows for versatility in flavor, as you can top it however you like.
Image Credit: ribeirorocha/iStock/GettyImages
- Calories: 465
- Protein: 25 grams
A burger is an easy and quick high-protein meal, and you can save time in the kitchen by cooking a large batch at once as you meal prep for the week. What's more, it requires only four ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes total. Burgers are hearty beef stew alternatives you wouldn't think to make with stew meat, but you'll be glad you did.
9. Beef Tips With Gravy
This recipe uses egg noodles instead of wheat noodles.
Image Credit: Spend With Pennies
- Calories: 448
- Protein: 53 grams
The tips of chuck roast, known as "beef tips," taste great when served with a beef bone broth-based gravy over noodles or mashed potatoes. The net carb count of this recipe with stew meat is low, at just 11 grams per serving.
10. Slow Cooker Cheesesteak Recipe
Make a large batch of the cheesesteak meat to have on hand for quick protein during the week.
Image Credit: Spend With Pennies
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 31 grams
A Philly cheesesteak sandwich is a comforting, classic recipe with stew meat that's fit for any outdoor summer barbecue or game day. This slow cooker recipe uses beef chuck, which is nice and tender when cooked overnight (it takes a little over eight hours!). Cut against the grain and brown the meat before putting it in the slow cooker to enhance its flavor.
11. Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches
This recipe has 8 grams of sugar, so feel free to omit the molasses or brown sugar to lower it.
Image Credit: Spend With Pennies
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 15 grams
Serve this beef stew alternative at your next outdoor barbecue, as it's bound to be a hit. The stew meat is tender and pulled, and there's a balance of sweet and savory in the sauce. There isn't much fiber (just 1 gram), so add a side salad or serving of green vegetables, like broccoli or Brussels sprouts. Or swap the bun for a lettuce wrap, instead!
12. Slow Cooker Pot Roast
This recipe is ready in a little over five hours.
Image Credit: Jessica Gavin
- Calories: 608
- Protein: 47 grams
Sliced and served with potatoes and carrots, this pot roast recipe is relatively low in carbs (it has 19 net grams) and high in protein to keep you fuller longer. Carrots have antioxidant carotenoids, which benefit eye and heart health and are linked to a lower risk of various cancers, per the American Institute for Cancer Research.
13. Slow Cooker BBQ Beef (Whole30)
This Whole30-approved recipe is great for meal prep, as you can use the beef for tacos, lettuce wraps, grain bowls and more.
Image Credit: The Real Food Dietitians
- Calories: 384
- Protein: 35 grams
This barbecue beef recipe uses chuck roast for an affordable cut and the slow cooker keeps the meat flavorful and moist. On its own, the meat is tender and low in carbs and sugar, but it lacks fiber so stuff it into a baked sweet potato along with veggies or slaw. Sweet potato is rich in beta-carotene, which can support eye health, according to a June 2019 study in Food Science & Nutrition.
14. Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup
This recipe has 24 grams of fat to keep you fuller longer.
Image Credit: The Real Food Dietitians
- Calories: 410
- Protein: 28 grams
Use stew meat as a rich protein source in this veggie-dense soup, which is also high in fiber from potatoes and green beans. Opt for olive oil as it's linked to a lower risk of heart disease, as shown in a March 2020 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
15. Japanese Beef Curry
This recipe has a medley of anti-inflammatory spices, like ginger and curry.
Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com
- Calories: 341
- Protein: 30 grams
This beef curry calls for beef chunks and is a great stew meat recipe you can enjoy in under 30 minutes total. It's a good option for a busy weeknight when you're in need of something quick and easy but want an alternative to beef stew.
Image Credit: Graphic: LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Source: https://www.livestrong.com/article/434648-what-can-i-cook-with-a-pound-of-stew-beef-besides-stew/