Quick question about beef stew/casserole

geri1965_2

Do you bother to brown the meat beforehand?

Sublime_2

No, because I usually cook it in my slow cooker, and it doesn't seem to make any difference to flavour if I put it in raw.

debtmess

no, i very rarely brown any meat if using the slowcooker, i pop everything in together

i would if i was cooking in the oven for say the hour n half- 2 hours

zippychick

Geri

these threads should help

Browning meat

Slow cooker question - browning meat

I'll merge this with the first link later
Zip

geri1965_2

Thanks, I don't have a slow cooker so it's going in the oven. I think I am not going to bother, and see how it goes. Less washing up!

tanith

I've just put a beef stew on and yes I brown the meat and the onions a little before adding the stock and veggies... that way the juices stay in the meat , at least thats the theory but I prefer the taste when its been browned..

geri1965_2

Now I'm torn!

Sublime_2

I usually do if cooking in the oven, if thats any help. I just prefer (and always use nowadays) the SC method.

geri1965_2

Well, I just Googled and Jamie Oliver reckons it doesn't make much difference, so I haven't bothered. If it goes wrong, I will blame him!

parsonswife8

I always brown my meat and onions first, whether I am using the slow cooker, or cooking in the oven, or in a pot on top of the hob.

cooking-mama

I always brown the meat and onions(when using pressure cooker or slow cooker)
...and only recently ive started putting in a polybag with flour first too.