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Do you have a beef stew without a slice of bread to mop the gravy?
Unthinkable!!!
Bread is the crowning glory in any beef stew. And I have tried many different kinds of bread with beef stew.
I discovered not every bread is a match, which is why we’ll discuss what bread goes with beef stew so you can get the most out of your meal.
Some of the best breads you can eat with beef stew include white bread or wheat bread, breadsticks, sourdough, Ciabatta Bread, brioche, or Italian Focaccia.
Let’s learn more about these breads and how they can be served with beef stew!
What Is Beef Stew?
Beef stew is a thick, hearty soup or stew made with beef and other ingredients such as vegetables and seasonings.
Beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions are basic ingredients. It can also have other vegetables like peas or mushrooms added to it.
Furthermore, the beef stew has a rich flavor and is usually made with a red wine sauce or tomato sauce. Beef stew is usually served over mashed potatoes or rice.
What Bread Goes With Beef Stew?
1. White Bread Or Wheat Bread
White bread or wheat bread is a common choice for eating beef stew.
White and wheat bread are both delicious, but they have their unique differences.
White bread is a milder option that pairs well with most meals. It has a lighter and fluffier texture and can be used to soak up the juices from a beef stew.
Thus, making them ideal for a sandwich than an entree.
However, wheat bread has a denser and chewy texture that holds up well when dipped in gravy or broth. It also adds more flavor to the beef stew because of its hearty taste and texture.
If you’re looking for a light meal that’s still substantial enough to fill you up, consider using whole wheat bread instead.
It has more fiber than white bread and will keep you satisfied longer. If you want something heartier, go with white bread instead!
Besides, both loaves of bread will soak up the broth without getting too soggy.
2. Breadsticks
Breadsticks are a perfect complement to beef stew.
They are both hearty, filling, soft, and chewy, but not too soft.
You can make a whole meal out of breadsticks and beef stew or have them as a snack.
Breadsticks can be eaten alone or with other foods like meatballs or cheese.
They are a good source of carbohydrates that help you feel full longer so that you don’t feel hungry again soon after eating them.
Some people even say that chewing on these crunchy pieces of goodness helps them think more clearly!
So go ahead: order a few boxes today. You’ll find yourself craving another bite. You won’t be disappointed!
3. Sourdough Bread
This combination makes it a great choice for anyone who wants to eat beef stew but wants something different from the usual mashed potatoes or rice.
Sourdough is bread made from a fermented dough, usually containing a starter (usually a culture of yeast and lactobacilli).
It’s long been used as an ingredient in soups and stews worldwide.
We should use sourdough bread to eat beef stew because it can add a bit of tanginess and acidity to the dish, which cuts through any fattiness in the beef while also adding some extra texture.
This is especially true if you use whole-wheat flour in your sourdough recipe since whole-wheat flour tends to be more fibrous than white flour.
4. Ciabatta Bread
Ciabatta is made from Italian wheat flour and has a much lighter texture than other types of bread.
It comes in many different shapes and sizes. But its unique crumb structure makes it so appealing, which provides an extra level of softness and chewiness compared to other types of bread.
This makes it perfect for dipping into soups or stews because it won’t break apart as easily as other bread types.
Moreover, the best part about using ciabatta as an accompaniment with beef stews is that it adds another dimension to your dish without adding extra calories or fat content.
It’s a great option if you’re looking for something lighter or less dense than sourdough. It’s also great to go with a softer texture instead of crunchy like baguettes or french rolls.
5. Brioche
Brioche is similar to ciabatta in that it’s light and fluffy. Still, it has a richer flavor profile because it contains cream and butter (so imagine all those delicious beef juices soaking into this one).
Brioche is a type of bread made from yeast and enriched with eggs, butter, sugar, and milk.
It’s got a golden color and a dense texture, making it perfect for soaking up all those delicious juices in your stew.
Since the rich flavor of brioche pairs well with the rich flavors in your beef stew, why not give it a try? You’ll be glad you did!
6. Italian Focaccia
Italian Focaccia is another option if you want something heartier than traditional white or wheat bread.
Its crispy exterior helps cut through all those rich flavors in your stew while still soaking up some extra liquid without getting soggy or falling apart.
That said, it still has enough crunchiness to make eating enjoyable.
Italian Focaccia is also very filling because it has a high fiber content compared to other types of bread like wheat or rye; therefore, you will be full after eating just one piece!
How Do I Make My Beef Stew Thicker?
To make beef stew thicker, add less liquid when you start cooking your stew so that less water will be available for evaporation later. Or you can use flour or cornstarch as a thickener.
This will help bind together any liquids that have separated in your stew while it cooks, so they stay mixed instead of separating into layers in the pot or bowl once everything has been combined.
Remember to simmer your stew longer than usual.
Let your stew simmer for at least 30 minutes after adding the meat back; it will become nice and thick!
Just make sure not to let it boil over or burn while doing so!
What Can I Add To Stew?
There are a lot of things you can add to the stew.
Here are some ideas for you to try:
- Carrots, potatoes, peas, corn, and onions
- Mushrooms
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- And tomatoes add flavor and color to your stew, making it look more appealing.
You can also try adding fresh herbs, like rosemary or thyme, to bring out the flavor of the meat and potatoes.
Most people prefer adding a little cheese sprinkled on top will give it a creamy texture and make it taste amazing.
What Should I Serve With Beef Stew?
Beef stew is a classic dish that pairs well with various side dishes.
Here are some ideas for what to serve with beef stew:
- Mashed potatoes
- Bread or rolls
- Biscuits
- Coleslaw
- Green Salad
What Potato Is Best For Beef Stew?
With so many different types of potatoes, it can be hard to decide which one is best for beef stew.
Luckily, we’ve done all the research for you!
Here are our top three picks for potatoes for beef stew:
- Red Bliss Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Red potatoes
- Yukon Gold potatoes
- Waxy potatoes
Conclusion
To sum it up, I think that brioche is the best bread to serve with beef stew.
It is fresh and stands up to being dipped in the hearty stew, but it also has a rustic feel that enhances any meal.
The best part is you can use it with any of your meals. As long as you use brioche, you’re sure to have a tasty meal!