How to Thicken Stew
A good Italian stew should have a sauce rich enough to coat the spoon. If yours is looking more like soup, Nonna has a few tricks to fix it.
How do you thicken stew?
The simplest way to thicken stew is to take the lid off and simmer it gently until the liquid reduces. You can also mash some of the beans or potatoes into the sauce, stir in tomato purée or thick polpa tomatoes, or lightly flour the meat before browning it.
Nonna’s 6 Ways to Thicken Stew
1. Lift the lid and give it time
Nonna never rushes a stew. For the last 20 to 30 minutes, she takes the lid off and lets it bubble gently. The sauce reduces, thickens, and the flavour deepens. Stir now and then so nothing catches on the bottom of the pan.
2. Flour the meat before browning
Before the meat goes in the pan, Nonna dusts it lightly with flour. As it browns in olive oil, the flour coats each piece and thickens the sauce slowly as the stew cooks.
3. Choose polpa over chopped tomatoes
Napolina polpa tomatoes are finely chopped, slightly thicker and less watery than chopped tomatoes, so they give a thicker base from the start. A spoonful of Napolina tomato purée adds even more body.
4. Mash in beans or potatoes
If your stew has cannellini beans, butter beans or potatoes, press a few against the side of the pan with a wooden spoon. They break down into the sauce and thicken it without changing the flavour.
5. Add a handful of lentils
Lentils add body to the sauce and make the stew more filling. Stir a tin of Napolina lentils through for the last 10 minutes, and mash a spoonful for an even thicker finish.
6. Let your stew rest before serving
Nonna’s simplest tip: turn off the heat and leave the stew for 10 minutes. It thickens as it settles, and many stews taste even better the next day.
Quick Questions About Thickening Stew
How do you thicken stew without cornflour?
Simmer it uncovered, mash some beans or potatoes into the sauce, or add tomato purée or lentils. Nonna rarely reaches for cornflour; these methods add both flavour and thickness.
Why is my stew watery?
The lid may have stayed on the whole time, or there was too much stock to start with. Give it 20 to 30 minutes uncovered and it should come together.
Can you thicken stew in a slow cooker?
Yes. Take the lid off for the last 30 to 60 minutes on high, or stir in mashed beans or lentils near the end.
Inspired to cook a stew?
Why not try our hearty Italian Beef Stew or delicious Italian Fish Stew, or learn more about cooking Italian soups?
