We have eaten various kinds of stews in our lifetime. But there is no doubt beef stew stands at the top of them with no doubt. We do not use just meat when making stews. Vegetables like carrots and potatoes are also part of it. That makes beef stew a complete one-pot meal, not only curry.
The ideal meat for beef stew is meat cuts with lots of tough connective tissues. At the meat shop, you can ask for chuck or round when buying meat for your stew. Once cooked, this meat will melt in your mouth when eating. I think that’s the uniqueness of this one-pot meal.
Beef stew has high protein levels in it. This protein can help you a lot with muscle building, weight gaining, and muscle repairing. But remember not to over-consume it as well. Beef is red meat that can make you sick by consuming it every day.
I bet you can find many tasty recipes about beef stews. If you have not tried beef stew before today, stop whatever you are doing now and try one of those recipes. But that’s not the reason you started reading this article. You are here to know how to preserve beef stew before it goes bad.
Can You Freeze Beef Stew?
Yes, you can freeze beef stew, considering that all the ingredients you used for your stew are fresh. This rule applies especially to the beef you have selected. You have to be ready beforehand, depending on the time you plan to freeze your beef stew.
If you ask me, I do this often to save time after making beef stew. As you know, a beef stew takes some time to prepare. What I do is prepare enough beef stew for a few days in one go. Who wouldn’t love to enjoy beef stew without having to go through all the trouble to make it?
Does Beef Stew Freeze Well?
I have never seen a single time that my beef stew went bad after freezing. It mainly depends on the way you freeze the stew. There are few steps that you have to follow when you are freezing. If you carefully follow them, I guarantee no harm will come to your beef stew.
I sometimes fail to save enough stew for the second time. Because now you know that you can keep beef stew frozen for a long time, add enough ingredients to fit for another serving.
How To Freeze Beef Stew?
By following these exact steps, you can comfortably keep your beef stew for a long time before going bad. First, you have to consider the ingredients that you used to make the stew. Meat, type of wine, and vegetables are all the areas to consider.
Meat has to be fresh as much as possible. We do not use expensive wine for beef stew. But make sure that it is a reliable type of bottle. Finally, you can research the time that selected vegetables stay good in the freezer.
Below are the steps to freezing beef stew:
Step 1: Allow It To Cool Down
First, make sure to separate one half of the stew that you plan to freeze. Never try to freeze the beef stew while it is hot. If you do, it will cause condensation in the container, which will destroy the stew.
Step 2: Prepare Containers
The ideal container to store beef stew is a plastic airtight container. However, you can use freezer bags as well.
Depending on how much you’re planning to use the stew, choose the right size container. If you’re planning to make a large family dinner, use large containers. For individual meals, you can use smaller containers to avoid excess stew.
Step 3: Portion Out
Spoon the beef stew into the container. When filling the container with beef stew, leave some space for expansion while in the freezer.
Check the seal of the lid for any damages. If there are any cuts or tears, replace the seal or the entire lid.
Step 4: Label and Freeze
With a marker, write down the content and date of freezing. Then place them into the freezer for storage. For the best result, place the stew at the farthest end of the freezer. This area will be less likely to be affected by temperature changes.
When you follow all these steps, you can put the beef stew for freezing.
How Long Can You Freeze Beef Stew?
The maximum time to freeze beef stew is one month. That’s because my beef stew runs out fast.
However, if you used all the quality ingredients as I mentioned before, you can safely freeze beef stew for up to three months. It’s better if you can check for any discoloration at least once a month.
How Do You Defrost Beef Stew?
Defrosting beef stew is an easy task. Take the plastic container out of the freezer and let it settle at room temperature for some time. This could take about one hour in time. You can use the microwave as well. But if you are planning to refreeze separate the beef stew, you need to a separate container before putting it in the microwave.
Once everything is unfrozen, you can heat the beef stew before adding it to your meal.
Can You Refreeze Beef Stew?
Yes, you can refreeze beef stew. But remember not to expose refreezing part of the stew to the air for long. As soon as you took the necessary stew out of the container, tightly close the plastic container and put it back in the freezer.
Related Questions
Can you freeze beef stew with carrots?
Yes, you can freeze beef stew with carrots. However, since the carrots are cooked, they will be a bit softer or broken into smaller pieces when it thaws.
Final Thoughts
Beef stew is a wholesome meal with an incomparable flavor. But making a large quantity of it at once is a good move. Then, to preserve the rest, you can freeze the beef stew. There are few steps you have to follow when freezing and defrosting a beef stew. To protect the flavor and the quality of the stew, you can easily follow those steps.