My stew meat is tough :( help page

[CiKi90]

Okay, so maybe it needs to cook for a couple more hours, but it's been in the pot on low heat (I don't have a slow cooker) since about 2. It's now 5:30, and the stew meat is really tough. Will it loosen up with time? Did I screw up my expensive buffalo stew meat and will be forced to choke down a rubbery stew for a whole week?

In the pot, along with 1.5 lbs of buffalo stew chunks, I have tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 yellow onion, a buncha purple potatoes, and a buncha mushrooms. For fat I added like 2(?) tablespoons Kerrygold butter and maybe a tsp of bacon grease. I also threw in some chicken leg bones that I broke in half, for flavor. Seasonings: roasted minced garlic, chili powder, Cajun seasoning, 2 bay leaves, salt, pepper. I don't have any gluten free flours or anything to thicken the sauce, but I did have some agar flakes, so I tossed that in.

Expert soup-makers, advice please? I reallyyyy don't wanna mess this up! (Unless I already have)

[naiadknight]

Cook it longer. Stew meat will tighten up like a mother before it relaxes to fork tender, you just gotta give it time.

[CiKi90]

Ohh, good! So if I put it on the stove around 2, will it be ready by... 8? Should I let it go even longer than that?

[naiadknight]

I'd say start checking it at 4 hours from start, but I'd expect closer to 6 hours.

[TNFrogDogMom]

I suggest you also add more acid - I suggest red wine vinegar if you have it. About 2 tablespoons. Additional tomato will provide some acid as well. I have to limit tomato and really like the vinegar. It will help make the meat more tender.

Hope it is tasty!

[CiKi90]

I have Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar, will that work? Or some lemon juice?

[TNFrogDogMom]

I have Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar, will that work? Or some lemon juice?

Either would work fine. I'd use the vinegar.

[CiKi90]

You're a lifesaver! ... Err, stew-saver! Thanks so much! Wish I could mail you a bowl. haha.

[MissJecka]

I usually cook stew meat for at least 6 hours on low in my Crock Pot. Three and a half hours is definitely not enough time!

I hope your stew came out great.

[magicmerl]

I usually cook stew meat for at least 6 hours on low in my Crock Pot. Three and a half hours is definitely not enough time!

I hope your stew came out great.

8 hours is easier, since you can set it up while you get breakfast ready, then come home to a cooked meal.

It's *super* hard to overcook something in a slowcooker. Usually the meat just gets more delicious.