Slow Cooker Stew - Too Sweet?

amyparr

Hi guys,

I've made a few casserole/stew kind of things in my slowcooker, but sometimes they come out tasting too sweet - perhaps it is the onions and carrot I put in.

Does anyone have any tips on how to counteract the sweetness and give it more depth?

Thanks very much,

Amy

McKneff

Onions or carrots shouldnt make it sweet,

Parsnips would mind you.

Freshly ground black pepper is always a nice touch.

ragz_2

Now you mention it mine often seem unusually sweet. Maybe try adding gravy granules or something really savoury?

amyparr

I'm thinking of adding some white wine, fingers crossed that helps!

~daisy~_2

onions and carrots are both full of natural sugars so with them being cooked long and slow will really intensify the sweetness
for example think of things like chutneys - very sweet

maybe just watch how many you put in ??

cheerfulness4

I too find that onions can sometimes come out rather sweet. I have found that this isn't such a problem if they are cut larger. I also didn't like it when it does it.

knithryn

On the other hand if you're making sweet and sour you'd only have to add the sour.

Calf_rearer

Try adding a tablespoon of tomato puree, sounds a bit odd but it does work

ubamother

I'd go with the tom puree as well, and maybe a squeeze of lemon juice. you could always go the other way and add apricots, cardamon and cumin and you've got yourself a tagine!

Harry_Stottle

The tomato puree was a brilliant idea. That and black pepper made the best the best mushroom casserole that I've ever cooked.

esalad

My late mother-in-law never used carrots in her stews because she said they made them too sweet. I always use leeks instead of onions too. Works fine for me