When it comes to cooking, a lot of recipes ask for the same ingredients. If you enjoy cooking rich and
hearty pasta, stews and sauces, you may notice that a common ingredient you need is beef stock. So,
what exactly is beef stock and why is it such an essential ingredient to cook with? Take a look below
to find out.
What is beef stock made from?
If you frequently cook with beef stock, you may have a rough idea of what it consists of – but what
exactly is a good stock made of? A common beef stock is usually made up of cow bones, mirepoix
(which is a mixture of onions, carrots and celery), herbs and water. The bones in stock are
occasionally roasted before but this will vary from stock to stock. Some beef stocks may also contain
meat to add extra flavour, however, this is not essential. The mixture is then cooked for anywhere
from two to six hours, giving it a thin yet smooth consistency that won’t get sticky or clumpy once it’s
chilled.
What is beef stock used for?
Beef stock is used as an ingredient in a lot of recipes, especially richer and heartier items such as
sauces, gravy and casseroles. So, what does beef stock bring to the table? Stock is an important
ingredient in many recipes because it brings a whole new level of flavour to what you are cooking.
When you cook with stock, you will usually have to leave some ingredients, typically meat and
vegetables, to simmer with the stock. The step of simmering reduces the liquid volume while also
extracting the flavour of what’s in the pot. This creates a stronger flavour, which is especially
important if you’re cooking a flavoursome sauce or dish.
Why use beef stock?
Beef stock is a great base to a lot of dishes, most notably beef bolognese sauce, a hearty beef chilli or
beef risotto. With so many recipes asking for beef stock as a base, it’s no secret that it’s one of the
most versatile ingredients out there. If you enjoy creating rich and hearty dishes, beef stock is an
essential ingredient to have in your fridge or pantry!
