I am making beef stew right now, slow cooking it in a crock pot since midnight. I want it thicker though, kind of like the beef stew in a can….lol. But I have no idea how to thicken it. I have heard that adding instant mashed potatoes works. Has anyone done this? And if so, does it really work?
9 responses so far ↓
1 dlansr // Nov 10, 2008
2 tbls corn starch & 1 1/2 c water
2 CheddarCheese // Nov 10, 2008
Add a slurry made from 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 cup of boiling water. Make sure you stir it through evenly.
3 bratsk13 // Nov 10, 2008
I believe instant mashed potatoes will work, but it leaves a funky consistency. The best way is to take some corn starch and warm water, dissolve the corn starch and stir it into your stew, it’ll thicken it right up. Good luck and God bless!!
4 cute anjel // Nov 10, 2008
I did try it once- but it tasted a little heavier than my usual stews… My MIL suggested I add a bit of corn flour or all purpose flour mixed with cold water to make a paste… It thickened the stew without changing the taste… But you’d have to add a spoonful at a time cuz it can get thick instantly!!!
5 Shar // Nov 10, 2008
I would not use the instant potatoes. Funny you asked as my roomy and I just discussed that issue and agreed that the instant potato thing is worthless and taste like glue. What I do is take a mixture of cornstarch (1 tablespoon to one cup of water). OR.. you can make what is called a roux (cook down 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour to a mix of equal amounts of oil (corn oil or sunflower oil) or even butter. These act as thickening ingredients. Here is a link for a roux (http://www.ehow.com/how_13900_make-roux.html).. Good luck with your stew. By the way, I would take the stew out of the crock and add to a dutch oven on the stove to add the thickening or else it will take forever.
6 Sorry Im Awesome // Nov 10, 2008
add a cup plus or minus of flour
7 go.greenbay // Nov 10, 2008
Yes, that will work, the flavor of the stew will be changed some though. You can make a slurry of corn starch and water to add to the stew to thicken it. I use about 2 tablespoons of corn starch to about a tablespoon of water, approx. maybe alittle more water, i don’t measure.
8 Flying sugar kitty [] // Nov 10, 2008
Try adding 2 tablespoons of corn starch,flour or water. Hope this helped =D
9 toughnottobeacynic // Nov 10, 2008
Break up 2 or 3 slices of day old bread and stir them in. They will disolve into the broth and thicken it as well.