What to Cook With Browned Beef Stew Meat?

Grilled steak on kabob

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 14 recipe ideas that use stew meat that aren't stew.

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Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff I

Tight shot of beef stroganoff

Credit: Chef Mo

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

Beef tips with broth over mashed potatoes

Credit: Sandy Deal

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

Credit: LynnInHK

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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Beef, Mushroom and Guinness® Pie

Slice of beef and mushroom pie with flaky crust

Credit: Debra Galbraith

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 Cooker Borscht

Bowl of red soup with spoon

Credit: Shans

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

Beef soup with carrots, corn and potatoes

Credit: lutzflcat

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 cocktail.

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Cowboy Tacos

Two beef tacos with lettuce, cheese, and green onions

Credit: Wyattdogster

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

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

Rice, mushroom, and beef mixture

Credit: Marisa R.

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

Beef curry over rice

Credit: thedailygourmet

"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

Grilled steak on kabob

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

Beef tips with sauce over pasta with carrot side dish

Credit: Molly

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

Rice, beef, cheese, salsa, black beans, and corn in white bowl

Credit: thedailygourmet

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

Sweet and sour beef over rice in white bowl