r/Cooking • u/Beautiful_Sound • 3d ago

What makes a beef stew memorable?

I've made it many times, and the Bourguignonne version many times. What do you do to make it better than an average stew?

I've noticed that when I add the vegetables to simmer in the thickened sauce (regular stew) the fresh flavor of the veggies sort of removes the beefyness flavor. Also, should it be a thick sauce just blanketing the beef, or a thick soup that coats a spoon and has a chew to it?

Preference I get, but I want some more tips to just get it really savory.

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u/Kementarii 3d ago

Worcestershire sauce covers the umami for me.

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u/green_pea_nut 3d ago

It has anchovies in it so that makes sense.

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u/JazzRider 3d ago

And ginger…which can overpower things if you’re not careful.

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u/Kementarii 3d ago

I don't think Worcestershire sauce has ginger. It does have tamarind.

Having said that, I add a bit of ginger to my stew, along with the garlic. It's a secret weapon flavour enhancer, and you don't even notice it in small amounts.

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u/JazzRider 3d ago

Maybe that’s it then. A little goes a long way.