When making a stew, what is the easiest way to check that the meat is done without making a mess?

Question

Something more thorough than a prick from a fork........

Thanks

Answer 1

technically when making a stew you are to coat the meat with flour and sear it in the bottom of the pan you are going to make the stew in. After its seared then you add your other ingredients and let it SLOWLY cook, this ensures that your meat will cook, when its done if you take a piece out put it on a cutting board and just touch it you can tell its doneness. (take your hand and turn your fingers in toward your palm, like a fist but looser,you are feeling the area between your fore finger and thumb, the tighter you squeeze the harder your hand gets, this shows the doneness) try this test this way if the meat isn't cooked all the way you don't lose out on the juices stores in this piece of meat when cut!

Answer 2

If you are using stew meat that is cut into pieces, just take a piece out and test it. I usually just grab a hunk, let it cool for awhile then taste it, that's really the easiest way.

Answer 3

Instant read thermometer, baby! Just stab it in the meat, and wait a few seconds to see how hot it is. Or, you can get a digital one where you leave the probe in while you cook it, and it beeps when it gets to the right temp.

Answer 4

Depends on the meat:
If it's on the bone, is it starting to fall off?
If it's a large cut, like a pot roast, is it pulling apart easily?
If it's in cubes, does it spring back when pressed?
If you've browned them first, they are pretty much cooked after an hour.

Answer 5

I usually saute my meat with some seasonings and some worchestire sauce before i put it in a pot with my veggies , then you know its done plus it makes the meat more tender.

Answer 6

Taste it. You don't want it so stewed to death that is comes apart in strings, but you do want it to be tender.

Answer 7

Use a food or meat thermometer.

Answer 8

take a little piece out cool it and taste it i love to taste while i'm cooking
korkie

Answer 9

if a piece of meat easily separates.....its done

Answer 10

hold it with the fork and cut it with the knife