For Better Beef Stew, Reach For This Juice
What’s sometimes a refreshing drink can also be a stew savior.
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I’ve made and eaten plenty of meh beef stews in my day. You would think that a beef stew made with tender chuck roast and long-simmered broth would always be flavorful, but sometimes it just doesn't come out right. And it's such a disappointment when something that should be comforting and enticing comes out bland and gray instead.
Luckily there's an easy fix within reach. The next time you make a lackluster beef stew, grab this surprising beverage.
A Smart Reader Tip: Add V8 Juice
One of our readers, Tim Harris, read our tip about adding tomato paste to beef stew. While he agreed with that idea, he also had another brilliant tip to share:
Tomato paste is a good idea, and indeed does bring it to life…but after I tried about 8 to 12 ounces of V8 juice there's no comparison, it really adds something special to it. Just pour it in the last 5 to 10 minutes of cooking, you'll be amazed.
Why Does V8 Help Lackluster Beef Stew?
I haven’t had V8 in years, though it used to be a staple at our house. I looked up the ingredients and it contains an abundance of not only tomatoes, but carrots, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, spinach, and watercress. The drink has enough body that it won’t water down your stew. That’s like deluxe vegetable stock and then some. Honestly, I could go for a glass right now.
V8 also has a balanced flavor profile, acidic enough to brighten the stew without overpowering it. In fact, I used to add a splash to my minestrone for the very same reason.
3 Things to Know Before Trying This Tip
Watch the Salt: Because V8 has added salt, you may want to watch how much salt you add to your stew, being mindful to season it after adding the V8. You could also buy reduced sodium V8 instead.
Buy V8 in Cans: If you don’t drink V8 but want to take advantage of its stew-enlivening powers, try buying it in cans. After adding it to your stew (or soup, why not?), freeze the remainder in ice cube trays.
Try Our Recipe: This is a tip that you could use in your favorite beef stew recipe, but I’d recommend trying it with our Easy Beef Stew recipe because it eliminates the tiresome browning stew without sacrificing flavor. Thank you, Tim!
Get Recipe: Easy Beef Stew
Read the original article on Simply Recipes.
