Why does my beef stew taste "blah"?

I just cannot seem to get a good flavor from my beef stew. I usually cook it in a pressure cooker or crock pot. I don't like to use salt if I can avoid it--but I include celery, onions (browned in EVOO), balsamic vinegar, low sodium beef broth, canned tomatoes, carrots, small whole potatoes with skin left on and any other vegetables I have on hand.

I also add chopped curly parsley, fresh ground pepper and some salt-substitute herb mix that I like. I finally found a good source of meat so at least now the beef isn't tough, but it still lacked something when I cooked it yesterday! Any suggestions?

Asked by Ladylucky 52 months ago Similar Questions: beef stew taste blah Recent Questions About: beef stew taste blah Food & Drink > Cooking.

Similar Questions: beef stew taste blah Recent Questions About: beef stew taste blah.

My secret to a good stew is putting a rutabaga or turnip in it. I use either one that is available, peel it and cut it up like a potato. For those who think they would not like either of those vegetable, you cannot tell what it is when eating it, but it adds an additional layer of a subtle, rich flavor that I think is wonderful.

I hope you will try it. Meemaw's Recommendations Calphalon Commercial Hard Anodized 12-Quart Stockpot with Lid Amazon List Price: $168.00 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 87 reviews) .

Brown, brown, brown! I used to brown my beef cubes in Gravy Magic and hot oil until they were just short of burnt on the outside. This really creates an intense flavor.

When the cubes were browned, I'd add a little bit of water and loosen all the nice thick browned juices off the pan bottom. Then I threw in more water and pretty much everything you do, except not vinegar or tomatoes (I don't know what EVOO is either). I'd finished it in the pressure cooker and then thicken the gravy with cornstarch in water.

It always came out very tasty. One thought... if there's no health reason to use little salt and low sodium beef broth, you might want to think about using a little, or add more of the substitute. Salt does help enhance flavors.

SharonW's Recommendations Pressure cooking is pleasure cooking;: The complete cookbook for pressure cookery Used from: $1.80 This is the pressure cooking book I got back in the day... looks like it's out of print.

Beef Stew Wheres the Fresh Sprigs of Thyme and Bay Leaves! They will add the flavor your looking for. Sources: Former Chef .

Beef stew I can think of a few minor changes that might help. As much as I love my crockpot for a few things, I'm with you on the pressure cooker. If you brown the heck out of your beef you should have plenty of wonderful juices so you don't have to use that "low sodium been broth", which is probably still fairly high in sodium.

I know the curly parsley seems nicer, but the flat, Italian parsley is the one with all the flavor, so I'd change that. I don't know about your "salt-substitute" thing. I wouldn't substitute salt.

I am very careful with salt also, but a little salt won't hurt, especially if you eliminate the broth, and don't forget that fresh, ground pepper! Now that's crucial. And there's bay leaf too that's a little added flavor.

I've never used canned tomatoes or balsamic vinegar, but I don't see why that wouldn't add flavor. Just be careful you don't make your beef stew a tomato-y dish as the main flavor. Keep in mind, it's not like beef stew is a strong flavored Italian dish, so maybe you're expecting too much.

Possible? Beef stew should be a somewhat tame, sort of comfort food... not something that raises the roof. To sum it up... don't be so hard on yourself.

If you make changes, don't make them too big. A few minor changes just so you know you've done something a little different, but not over the edge. It's probably good already.

Preciousgem's Recommendations The Big Book of Soups and Stews: 262 Recipes for Serious Comfort Food Amazon List Price: $19.95 Used from: $12.79 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 11 reviews) The Best Soups & Stews: A Best Recipe Classic (Best Recipe Series) Amazon List Price: $19.95 Used from: $99.06 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 3 reviews) preciousgem's Recommendations Beef stew and buttercups How to Make Stew: An Illustrated Step-By-Step Guide to Beef, Lamb, Pork, Chicken, Seafood, and Vegetable Stews Great Taste Low Fat: Hearty Soups and Stews, Vegetables, Stir-fries and Sautes, Italian Cooking, Pasta, Chicken Breasts, Holiday Cooking, Meatless Main Dishes, Chicken, Light Beef and Pork, Quick Recipes (11 Books) Cook's Country October/November Issue 2005 (Oven-Fried Chicken, Sunday-Best Roast Beef, Apple Turnovers, Slow-Cooker Beef Stew, Pecan Praline Pie, etc.) Beef Stew Used from: $17.27 .

Hi I always add a packet of dry onion soup mix. I know it is high in sodium, but it truly imparts flavour! .

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Then can put meat in chili and can it; same for corned beef hash, spaghetti sauces and canned stew. Why can't they make.

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