Should beef be cooked before adding to the pot for Stroganoff?
I'm following a recipe for Beef Stroganoff in a slow cooker. The recipe does not say whether I should cook the stewing beef at all before adding it to the slow cooker.
I tend to thoroughly brown meat for things like chili or adding it to stir-fry, but should I be doing this for stroganoff*? Or should I add it to the slow cooker raw?
*The question of 'how much browning' is mostly answered here, though if Stroganoff is different enough from stew to make a difference, please answer as such.
Best Answer
The recipe does not indicate that the beef should be browned before cooking and there is no need to. Per the instructions, all ingredients except the cream cheese go into the slow cooker together at the start. If it was intended for you to brown the beef first, that instruction would have been included.
The long, slow cooking should ensure that the meat will be tender and flavorful. Additionally, as in the picture of the dish, the beef cubes for stroganoff are on the small side. That should be additional insurance that your beef will be tender.
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Quick Answer about "Should beef be cooked before adding to the pot for Stroganoff?"
First, brown the beef Be sure to let the pressure cooking pot heat well before you add the pieces of beef, and avoid overcrowding the pan. Brown the beef until they're nicely dark on all sides. ? Tip: You can brown the beef on just one side to speed things up. You'll get a lot of the flavor benefits in half the time.Do you cook beef before putting in stew?
If you are making a slow cooked recipe that calls for ground beef, like chili, beef stew, or meat sauce, browning the meat beforehand makes a huge difference. Ground meat should always be browned in a skillet and drained before it is added to the slow cooker with the other ingredients.How do you make beef stroganoff not chewy?
Most recipes call for the meat to be braised, which makes it tender. But, if you want to absolutely ensure tender beef stroganoff, the best way is to marinate the beef overnight, sear it and then braise it.Do you cook stew meat before adding to stew?
Whatever you do, don't just add raw meat to broth and expect it to make stew. Also, when browning, don't stop at lightly browning the cubes. Searing the meat is an essential step for making a great beef stew. This is where the stew really starts to build its deep, rich, flavor.Easy Classic Beef Stroganoff Recipe - Natasha's Kitchen
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Answer 2
Not at all for tenderness but flavorwise you will get a much better experience.
Brown it nicely (butter is your friend) and you will have a very meaty/nutty tasting stroganoff.
This is just repeating SAJ14SAJ's answer in your question.
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