How long does beef stew keep in the freezer?

As long as you've sealed the container well, the beef stew will keep for around four to six months. The flavor and texture will be affected the longer it's frozen.

Can I freeze beef stew with dumplings?

No, dumplings don't freeze well. They lose firmness and fall apart when you reheat them. Making some fresh dumplings when you're reheating the beef stew is best.

What's the best way to defrost beef stew?

If you plan to have the beef stew the following day, it's best to keep it in the fridge overnight as it slowly thaws. If you're in a rush, you can defrost the beef stew in a saucepan or microwave. Get the frozen beef stew out of the container, and run it under cold water until it loosens up. If you're using a microwave, place it in a microwave-safe container and stir at intervals throughout the defrosting process. For thawing in a saucepan, add the beef stew to the pan and slowly heat it on the lowest setting on your stovetop until it's fully thawed.

Can I refreeze beef stew?

You can, but I don't recommend it. It's best to eat thawed beef stew within three or four days. Refreezing stew that's been thawed in the fridge is the safest.

How to Freeze Beef Stew

Ingredients

Units Scale

4 cups prepared beef stew

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Instructions

Prepare your beef stew using your favorite recipe.
Leave the cooked beef stew on your kitchen counter until it’s cool enough for the fridge. Keep it in the refrigerator until it’s thoroughly chilled.
Prepare airtight containers or foil trays with tight lids ensuring they’re lined up and open, ready for the stew.
If you have a kitchen scale, weigh out individual portions of the beef stew and place them in the containers. Remember that the stew will expand when it freezes, so leave around half an inch from the top of the lid to accommodate this.
Label the containers with the portion size, what it contains, and the date.
Freeze for two to three hours, keeping the containers level to avoid leakage.

Notes

Thickeners like cornstarch or flour will separate from the liquid once the beef stew begins to freeze. Because of this, it’s best not to thicken the stew until you’re ready to reheat and eat it.
Potatoes will lose some texture during freezing, so it’s best not to freeze beef stew containing potatoes.
When you reheat the beef stew, stir fresh herbs like parsley through. It gives it a freshly cooked taste, so nobody will know it was frozen!
Stew always tastes better the next day. You can freeze the beef stew as soon as it’s cooled enough, but if you leave it in the refrigerator overnight, it will intensify the flavor!

Author: Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Freezing Time: 3 hours
Category: Main Dish
Method: Freezer
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

Serving Size:
Calories: 259
Sugar: 4.6 g
Sodium: 1014 mg
Fat: 14.5 g
Saturated Fat: 5.7 g
Trans Fat:
Carbohydrates: 20.5 g
Fiber: 2.4 g
Protein: 11.5 g
Cholesterol: 34 mg