Canned Beef Stew Tastes Gourmet With This Reduced Liquid Addition

Canned beef stew can be described many ways: Economical, easy, even comforting. But what about gourmet? It turns out that adding reduced red wine may just be something you can do to elevate this basic pantry provision. Red wine reduction sounds like it belongs in a restaurant kitchen, but it's achievable for anyone with a saucepan and burner. If you're willing to spend a little more time at the stove, you can totally transform your dinner.

To make red wine reduction, you'll need (wait for it) red wine. The amount will vary according to your taste and portion size, but 1 cup is a good place to start. Simmer it in a saucepan until it's reduced by half, meaning there should be about ½ cup of liquid remaining. That liquid will be concentrated and flavorful since half the water in it has evaporated. Once that's ready, you simply stir it into your stew — or just open the can of beef stew and pour it into the same pot.

Using red wine reduction to beef up your beef stew doesn't mean you need to spend your food budget on an expensive cabernet or malbec. If you have a box, bottle, or can of red sitting in your cabinet, it can still bring a bit of extra depth and flavor to your meal. In fact, many kitchens have ingredients sitting around that can improve canned stew, all while using up what you have on hand.

If you're already preparing a red wine reduction, consider adding some dried herbs like rosemary to the pot, giving them a chance to absorb some liquid, soften, and harmonize with the whole dish. Those who prefer beer to wine could try adding some of their favorite brew to beef stock and letting it simmer down to become thicker and more flavorful. A ½ cup of beef stock with a splash of vinegar can also add depth without adding alcohol.

Frozen vegetables like peas, green beans, and corn can also add some texture, sweetness, or brightness to canned beef stews that can often lack too many vegetables. If you find your canned stew to be too thin, cooked or even leftover rice can help absorb some of that excess liquid. Once you've made stew this way, and you have a little extra time, just incorporate some of these ideas into your favorite homemade beef stew recipes, like this old-fashioned beef stew, which includes 2 cups of red wine.