How to thicken up a soup/stew in the crockpot?

Question

I am preparing a simple beef stew/soup in my crockpot and am curious the best way to thicken it up a bit. I know flour can do this, but am curious as to how much and when exactly to add the flour, should I do this at the start or the middle or closer to the end.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Answer 1

use corn starch

Answer 2

Don't just add straight flour or cornstarch. Either make a slurry of cold water and corn starch or a flour roux. Take, say a tablespoon of fat and flour in a skillet and cook the mixture for at least five minutes. As for when to add, it doesn't matter. However, it will not start to thicken until the soup has reached boiling.

Answer 3

ok here is the key
mix corn starch or flour with COLD water.
make it a very soupy mix, it's best if you can shake it in a little container to get rid of the lumps.
then stir it in SLOWLY.
and not too much less than 1/4 cup of this mix at first.
it will thicken when the stew comes to a boil!

don't add too much at first! you can always thicken it more, but it is much more difficult to thin it back out!

Answer 4

Dissolve a tablespoon of cornstarch in some water or broth from the stew.

After it is dissolved, add it to the stew.

Or add potatoes. The starch from them thickens up the stew.

Answer 5

I usually add flour at the beginning, you can do this just after frying off the meat. OR Some people use cornstarch at the end.
Others flour the meat before frying.
All of the above methods work well.

Answer 6

You dont want to add much, That would add a dry plain taste to the soup...
I would add more vegetables, that would make it thicken up...
I love the crockpot soups... My mom makes them they are so good!!!
Good Luck!

Answer 7

Instead of a flour roux, stir in some instant potato flakes. The stew is heartier, and a bit smoother.

Answer 8

Corn starch is best but you can use flour. I add about a table spoon of corn starch to a cup of water and stir it to mix it. I then add it bout half way through the cooking process. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

Combine flour or cornstarch and cup of water, mix well. Add about 40 mins. before stew is ready.

Answer 10

Near the end and add the flour in small quantities and stir because it goes further than you think. If you want a smoother mix use cornflour.

Answer 11

Earlier on if possible, and make sre that the flour is well stirred in as it will clump. Add it slow, you dont want the meal to taste like flour.