How To Thicken a Stew for a Great Winter Warmer

Enjoying a stew is a comforting treat on chilly nights—especially when it’s luxuriously thick. You want a hearty dish that warms you, both inside and out. If you’re struggling to get the right texture in your favourite winter meal, read on.

How to thicken up a stew

There are a number of different ways to thicken a stew, but let’s start with the easiest. You can use either flour or cornflour. They both work well, and cornflour is a good choice if you’re feeding someone who is gluten-intolerant.

To begin cooking, dice your meat or main ingredient into substantial cubes and gently dust them with flour. Then fry them until they are browned on the outside, add your liquid and continue the recipe.

This is one of the best ways to thicken a stew. The flour acts as a thickening agent throughout the cooking process, so you should end up with a thick, glossy liquid with a rich flavour and no clumps.

For best results, make sure you don’t cover the stew for the entire cooking time. The liquid needs to partially evaporate for a really thick texture, so take the lid off for the last 20 to 30 minutes.

How to thicken a stew in a slow cooker

Although slow cookers are incredibly useful kitchen appliances, they can sometimes present challenges. A slow cooker prevents liquid from evaporating, increasing the likelihood of ending up with a watery stew. Also, the temperature never gets very high, which means that the flour may not really work its magic. Flour needs to be in boiling water for it to swell and start thickening. In a slow cooker, your stew won’t reach a boil in the same way that it does on the stove.

If your slow cooker stews are too watery, you can thicken them after the cooking time is complete. Pour the liquid into a saucepan and heat it to a boil, adding a slurry of flour if necessary. Then simply stir your meat and veggies back into the liquid, and you’ll have a nice thick stew to enjoy.

How to thicken a beef stew

Beef stew stands as a beloved classic among traditional British meals. Although it takes a while to prepare, it’s a comforting treat on cold days.

You can use flour to thicken your stew, as mentioned above, but there are other ways to ensure a hearty dish. One of the simplest ways to thicken a beef stew is to include potatoes to your vegetables. Spuds release starch as they cook, which serves as a natural thickener.

Ways to thicken stew

Here are some of the best ways to thicken a stew:

• Coat your meat in flour or cornflour before you begin the cooking process. This ensures that your stew will thicken right from the start.
• Make a slurry using flour and hot stew liquid and add it at the end of the cooking process. This is a good method if you need to perform an emergency operation on a stew that hasn’t thickened.
• Add potatoes to your stew. Their natural starchiness should help it thicken.
• Add breadcrumbs. If you’re out of flour, breadcrumbs are a suitable alternative.
• Make a vegetable purée. Remove about a third of the cooked vegetables from your stew, along with two ladles of the liquid. Blend into a purée, then return to the pan.

Popular chicken and beef stew recipes

Although traditional beef stew is a real classic, why not try something different? A zesty Middle Eastern-inspired stew flavoured with aromatic harissa and served with couscous, is a delightfully unique version.

Stew is a beloved meal worldwide, transcending its British origins. Experience the vibrant flavours of this Caribbean chicken stew, where sweet potatoes replace traditional spuds, adding a sunny twist to the dish.

FAQs

Is it better to thicken stew with flour or cornstarch?

It doesn’t really matter. Cornflour has the benefit of being gluten-free, but both flour and cornflour will give you good results.

Can you thicken stew without flour?

Yes. Try adding potatoes to the stew or making a purée with some of your cooked vegetables. It won’t have quite the same effect, but it will still be nice and thick.

What is the secret ingredient to thicken soup?

To thicken a soup or stew, you need starch. You can add it in the form of flour or cornflour or use ingredients that are naturally rich in starch, such as potatoes.

Will stew thicken if covered?

A stew won’t thicken so well if covered, as some of the liquid needs to evaporate. It’s better to leave the lid off for the last part of the cooking time.

What is a good substitute for stew thickener?

If you don’t have flour on hand, try breadcrumbs or potatoes. You can even purée some of your cooked vegetables before returning them to the stew.