Can I freeze beef stew?

I've made too much beef stew, and I'd love to be able to freeze it instead of letting it go bad.

It's a stew with cooked vegetables and chunks of beef.

Will this freeze and defrost well?

(If it matters, I bought the beef frozen, not fresh -- but I think the "don't refreeze" guideline is before cooking.)

freezing beef

Best Answer

Yes, you can freeze stew. You may find that the vegetables are a bit softer or broken into smaller pieces after thawing. If you used a thickening agent (flour, cornstarch), it may separate as it thaws in the refrigerator overnight. To remedy that, remove a bit of the liquid, simmer with a bit more thickener and whisk so that it stabilizes. Then, gently stir into the stew as you reheat it.

And, you're correct, 'don't refreeze' applies to the raw meat, not to when it has been cooked.

Pictures about "Can I freeze beef stew?"

Can I freeze beef stew? - Cooked Meat on Plate

Can I freeze beef stew? - Grilled Meat on Brown Wooden Chopping Board

Can I freeze beef stew? - Brown Wooden Chopping Board With Green Vegetable and Meat Dish

Quick Answer about "Can I freeze beef stew?"

Store stew in heavy plastic, airtight containers, leaving ¼- to ½- inch of space to allow for expansion in the freezer. Stew can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Stews thickened with flour or cornstarch may separate after freezing. If you plan to freeze a stew, wait to thicken it until you reheat it.

Can Beef Stew be frozen and reheated?

Stew can be made ahead and frozen and still reheat well. Stew can be reheated in the microwave, on the stove, or in a crockpot. The overall flavor of stew can improve once it has been stored and reheated because it gives some of the more tame spices and vegetables a chance to intensify in flavor.

Do potatoes in beef stew freeze well?

Potatoes are generally a staple in beef stew, but they do not freeze well, and lose their texture and become soggy or gritty. Adding potatoes after you thaw the frozen stew takes little time and ensures potatoes retain their firm texture.

Can I freeze a stew after I cooked in 4 days ago?

Properly stored, cooked beef stew will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. To further extend the shelf life of cooked beef stew, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.

Can you freeze cooked potatoes and carrots?

If you've cooked carrots with other ingredients like parsnips, turnips, or potatoes, you can freeze them all together as well. Most of these root type vegetables will lose their firmness once frozen, however, so you'll have the best results by pureeing or mashing them and then mixing them together before freezing them.