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Do you have some beef stew meat you are needing to use up? Or want to find some new and creative recipes to make with stew meat that you could add to your favorite meals? In this post, I’m sharing the best recipes to make with beef stew meat!
Beef stew meat is one of those affordable cuts that can stretch your grocery budget when you know how to use it well. While it’s often associated with classic stew, there are actually plenty of easy recipes to make with beef stew meat that go far beyond one pot of soup.
In this post, I’m sharing 7 simple, budget-friendly beef stew meat recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights, slow cooker meals, and even freezer cooking. These dinners use basic ingredients, require minimal prep, and help you get the most value out of a less expensive cut of beef.
If planning dinner feels overwhelming, you can grab my free 5-Day Dinner Rescue Kit here — it plans dinner for you for the next five nights.
Stew meat is a really great piece of meat that can be used in many recipes. I love that the work of cutting up the meat is already done for you.
Beef stew meat is great to use in a slow cooker, Instant Pot or other pressure cooker, on the stove top, in a large dutch oven.
Here are some great beef recipes to use your stew beef meat in a new and delicious way!
Cost-Saving Tips for Cooking with Beef Stew Meat
Beef stew meat can be a smart buy if you use it strategically. Here are a few simple ways to keep costs down while still making filling meals:
- Watch for markdowns. Beef stew meat is often discounted close to its sell-by date — perfect for cooking right away or freezing.
- Use low-and-slow cooking methods. Slow cookers, crock pots, and braising help tenderize stew meat, so you don’t need pricier cuts.
- Stretch meals with grains and vegetables. Adding potatoes, rice, beans, or pasta helps turn a small amount of beef into a full dinner.
- Plan for leftovers. Many beef stew meat recipes taste even better the next day, making them ideal for lunch or a second dinner.
- Buy in bulk when prices are good. If you find a great deal, portion and freeze stew meat for future meals.
The Best 7 Easy Recipes to Make with Beef Stew Meat
If you’ve got a package of beef stew meat sitting in your fridge (or freezer) and you’re wondering what else you can do besides the usual stew—you’re in luck. Beef cubes are an affordable, versatile cut that can shine in so many simple dinners beyond the pot of soup.
In this post, you’ll discover 7 easy recipes using beef stew meat—each one designed to be doable on a weeknight, friendly to your budget, and full of flavor. You’ll get:
- Clear recipe ideas focused on “beef cubes” or “stew meat” (so you use what you have)
- Tips to prep smarter and make the meat tender and delicious
- Variations and ingredient swaps so you can use what’s on hand
Whether you’re cooking for your family, your partner, or building your meal-prep repertoire, this collection will help you turn stew meat into something exciting rather than a fallback. Let’s get cooking!
These recipes are the ultimate comfort food recipes – enjoy!
Need more help deciding what to make for dinner?
Planning meals and eating at home can help you save so much money, but it’s not always easy to figure out what to cook!
If you need some dinner ideas that are simple, quick, and budget-friendly, you’ll love the FREE 60+ Easy Dinner Ideas List – the handy resource you’ll love to use for quick, easy, and budget-friendly meal ideas to make meal planning simple and effortless!
Grab the FREE Easy Dinner Ideas List right here!
1. Classic Beef Stew
Looking for an easy recipe to make a delicious beef stew? Try this 5 star beef stew recipe from Spend with Pennies.
With basic ingredients you probably already have on hand like beef broth, olive oil, red wine, tomato paste, potatoes, carrots, and peas – this one will be a hearty and heart warming dish to serve your family or to special company.
Serve this classic beef stew with homemade crusty bread (or pick some up from the bakery at your local grocery store!).
This classic beef stew cooks in a large Dutch oven, so you don’t have to stand over the stove for a long time.
Grab this classic beef stew recipe here!
2. Vegetable Beef Soup
This vegetable beef soup from Cooking Classy is perfect for those chilly nights when you just need something warm to eat for dinner.
I love that this vegetable beef soup uses beef stew meat instead of the usual ground beef, to make it a more hearty and filling dinner.
And you can use up all the vegetables you need to use up!
This soup cooks on the stove top and is a perfect dinner to have ready when everyone comes in for dinner on a chilly day.
Everything cooks in just one pot, too – cook the beef over medium-high heat, add the other ingredients on medium heat, and then let everything simmer while you get the rest of the dinner prepared or sit down and relax for a few!
Grab this vegetable beef soup recipe here!
3. Classic Beef and Noodles
Another yummy, hearty, and cozy meal for a chilly night – this classic beef and noodles recipe from Self Proclaimed Foodie is a five star rated recipe perfect for dinner tonight!
This classic, old fashioned, recipe has just 5 ingredients and can be cooked in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stove top.
You may even have everything you need on hand – egg noodles, beef broth, onion dip mix, cream of mushroom soup, beef stew meat, and some olive oil.
Add this one to your menu this week!
Grab the classic beef and noodles recipe here!
4. Beef Tips and Gravy
Another five star recipe from Spend with Pennies – this Beef Tips & Gravy recipe will be one of your new favorite meals!
This is the perfect comfort food your family will love with tender chunks of beef and rich brown gravy.
I love recipes that have just a few ingredients, and this one checks that box – onion, beef chuck or stew meat, beef stock, French onion soup, Worcestershire sauce, bay laves, and a little seasoning. Sounds so perfect for a chilly night!
I think you could substitute sirloin tips in this one, too. Serve this one with mashed potatoes and peas!
Grab this Beef Tips & Gravy recipe here!
5. Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
Mix things up with this Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef recipe from Betty Crocker.
Start this one in a skillet, and then let it cook all day in the slow cooker for a delicious hands off dinner!
This recipe calls for savory ingredients like soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, beef broth, and of course – stew meat.
Serve this with rice for a delicious dinner!
Grab this Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef recipe here!
6. Slow Cooker Beef Stew
What’s better than a hearty beef stew simmering in the slow cooker all day? I’ll wait…
This Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe from Damn Delicious will definitely be a hit!
Perfect for a Sunday dinner, or for a special dinner with company over, this beef stew will be a crowd pleaser.
This slow cooker beef stew recipe is a classic hearty, tender, and rich dinner you’ll want to make again and again.
Grab this Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe here!
7. Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas
Try a new recipe like this Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas recipe from One Lovely Life for a yummy family dinner or for date night!
This recipe makes tender, beef carnitas that can be used to make delicious tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, or on salads! Make a big batch to enjoy one meal for dinner tonight, and something different the next day.
You can use beef chuck roast or beef stew meat, and you can even prep this one the night before!
Grab this Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas recipe here!
These 7 yummy stew meat recipes will surely be a crowd pleaser for your family dinner, a special meal with family or friends over, or for a date night at home.
You can make many different meals with stew meat. It’s a great, inexpensive cut of meat that can be cooked to be so tender and savory in different dishes.
Check out these recipes above and enjoy some new family favorite meals!
Beef Stew Meat FAQ
Why is my beef stew meat tough?
Beef stew meat comes from tougher cuts of beef and needs low, slow cooking to become tender. Cooking it too quickly or at high heat can make it chewy. Using a slow cooker, crock pot, or long simmer on the stove helps break down the connective tissue.
Can I substitute beef stew meat with another cut of beef?
Yes. Chuck roast is the best substitute — simply cut it into chunks. Round roast or bottom round can also work, but they may need extra cooking time to become tender.
What’s the best way to cook beef stew meat in a slow cooker?
For best results, cook beef stew meat on Low for 7–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours. Make sure there’s enough liquid (broth, sauce, or gravy) to keep the meat moist while it cooks.
Should I brown beef stew meat before slow cooking?
Browning isn’t required, but it does add extra flavor. If you have time, quickly searing the meat in a hot pan before slow cooking can enhance the final dish.
Can I use beef stew meat in the oven instead of the slow cooker?
Yes. Beef stew meat works well for oven-braised recipes. Cover tightly and bake at a low temperature until tender.
With the right cooking method, beef stew meat can turn into a tender, flavorful, and budget-friendly dinner option.
Freezer-Friendly Notes for Beef Stew Meat Recipes
Many of these beef stew meat recipes work well for freezer cooking, making them even more budget-friendly and convenient.
- Best recipes to freeze: Stews, slow cooker meals, beef and gravy dishes, and saucy recipes freeze and reheat especially well.
- Freeze before or after cooking: You can freeze beef stew meat raw in marinades or freeze fully cooked meals once cooled.
- Label clearly: Write the recipe name, date, and cooking instructions on freezer bags or containers.
- Storage time: Most cooked beef stew meat meals keep well in the freezer for 3–4 months.
- Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat slowly on the stove or in the slow cooker for best texture.
Freezer-friendly meals are a great way to make beef stew meat work harder for your meal plan.
More Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas
If you’re looking for more easy, affordable dinner ideas, these posts pair well with beef stew meat recipes:
- Easy Two-Week Rotating Meal Plan on a Budget
- $40 Weekly Meal Plan for 2
- Aldi Dinner Plan Using Only 10 Ingredients
- My Top Chicken Freezer Meals – Make Ahead Chicken Dinners
- Ultimate Aldi Freezer Cooking Plan – 80 Meals in 2 Hours
These resources help you build simple meal plans using budget-friendly ingredients and freezer-friendly dinners.
Need more help deciding what to make for dinner?
Planning meals and eating at home can help you save so much money, but it’s not always easy to figure out what to cook!
If you need some dinner ideas that are simple, quick, and budget-friendly, you’ll love the FREE 60+ Easy Dinner Ideas List – the handy resource you’ll love to use for quick, easy, and budget-friendly meal ideas to make meal planning simple and effortless!
Grab the FREE Easy Dinner Ideas List right here!
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