Make A Cheap And Delicious Beef Stew Using Just Canned Pantry Staples

Sometimes, you want the comfort of a home-cooked meal without the effort. That's where a well-stocked pantry comes into play, particularly when it comes to choosing the right canned goods. Among the canned goods that should always be in your pantry are expected things like potatoes, various veggies, and tomato paste, but also a few unexpected additions such as shredded beef and pearl cocktail onions. These form the base ingredients for delicious and simple beef stew.

Though it may seem odd to keep canned meat in your pantry, it's worth noting that good-quality products like Kirkland Signature canned beef make delicious roast beef sandwiches and stews. The same goes for the other ingredients: Trusted brands of canned veggies and tomato products can be nearly as flavorful and delicious as the fresh stuff when treated properly. Not to mention, canned ingredients are usually budget-friendly and have a long shelf life, so you can have beef stew ready at a moment's notice.

Canned ingredients are also usually fully cooked as part of the canning process, so they basically just need to be heated through together. You can do this in about 15 minutes in a stockpot on the stovetop, or make it even easier by throwing everything into your slow cooker for about three hours on low. Just be sure to check it frequently, as canned ingredients get mushy faster than fresh and it may be ready to serve sooner than you think.

Though there is some leeway for customization with this recipe, the basic ingredients you should include are canned beef (of course), a small can of diced tomatoes or tomato paste, and a jar of nice, rich beef gravy or broth. These three ingredients will join forces to create a complex, savory flavor base for your stew as the acids from the tomatoes balance out the rich fattiness of the meat and gravy or broth.

Gravy creates a richer, thicker base, while broth lends a more soup-like consistency (soup and stew are two different things). If you only have broth and want a thicker stew, you can make a cornstarch slurry and add it to the stew. Other easy upgrades that make a big difference include seasoning generously with salt, pepper, and dried herbs like rosemary and oregano, and adding a light splash of vinegar or Worcestershire sauce to create a surprising depth of flavor.

Additionally, if you're feeding a crowd rather than just yourself, using individual cans of a single type of vegetable instead of mixed medleys not only helps stretch those servings but also creates a more versatile pantry, as you can use cans of carrots and green beans for other meals. Plus, cans of individually packaged veggies haven't been sitting together in the canning liquid, meaning their flavor will be more distinct, creating a fresher, more homey flavor inside your stew.