first made a meat stew and slow brew beer when I was given a Jamie Oliver cookbook about 10 years ago, and I was hooked. This is my version that uses a slow cooker instead of an oven, and it’s been tweaked and perfected over the 100 or so times I’ve made it! Once the weather changes, this is usually the first recipe we turn to for a warmer winter
. <img src="https://www.slowcookerclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Slow-Cooker-Beef-and-Ale-Stew-3-1024×683.jpg" alt="Meat stew bowl and slow cooker beer
a secret ingredient: Worcestershire sauce! Add an extra touch that sets this slow-cooker stew apart from the rest. Let me know what you think in the comments!
What is the best type of meat for a stew?
Stews work incredibly well in a slow cooker because it allows the use of cheaper cuts of meat, which improve the longer they are cooked. In fact, with beef, the cheaper, the better when it comes to slow cooking!
The cheapest cuts of meat come from well-worked muscles, which soften as you cook them for long periods of time. Whatever you do, don’t let your butcher sell you an expensive cut of meat. After hours of cooking it will be dry and horrible!
Our absolute favorite cut of meat to use in a stew is beef shin, but you need to buy a well-butchered piece or it may end up full of fat and tendons. The best place to buy it is your local butcher.
A worthy alternative is “stewed meat” bought at the supermarket. This is also known as “chuck steak” and comes from the cow’s shoulder.
What is the best type of beer to use for meat and beer
stew
?
A beer with a full flavor and malting works best: our favorite types to use are ruby ales or porters
.
They have an exceptional full flavor and add an element of sweetness to the dish. If you’re looking for a suggestion, then Adnams Broadside is an amazing beer to try.
You might see a lot of people online recommending Guinness. Guinness is a dark beer, and in my opinion it is best avoided for this recipe because of its bitterness.
The same goes for IPAs, you’ll get a hop twang in the stew which can be off-putting.
Can I make meat stew and beer with non-alcoholic beer?
Yes! The alcohol in beer does not add any flavor, everything burns during cooking.
A good non-alcoholic beer suggestion is Low Alcohol Old Speckled Hen.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely, and trust me, you’ll want to keep leftovers! To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and make sure it is very hot to the end before serving.
Can this be used to make
a cake?
It is very easy to adapt this stew of meat and beer into a cake. Once cooked, divide the recipe into cake dishes and cover with ready-made puff pastry. Cook according to pastry instructions.
You can check out our Slow Cooker Steak Pie for a guide.
