Forgot to add onions when cooking beef stew...

[marbel]

I just took a lovely beef stew out of the instant pot. The meat is perfect!  I haven't tasted the potatoes or carrots. But I realized that I forgot the onions.

 

This stew isn't going to be eaten for 3 hours.  I separated the meat and vegetables from the broth and plan to defat the broth, then thicken it with some cornstarch.

 

Would it work to add some onions to some of the broth and braise them till tender, then add them to the stew when I reheat it?  I know it won't be as good as if they'd cooked with the other ingredients, but maybe will taste better than onions just sauteed?

 

FWIW, the recipe called for frozen pearl onions but I could not find those today, so I had planned to put in wedges of raw onion.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Oh, here is the recipe if anyone is interested:  Budget Bytes instant Pot Beef Stew

 

ETA: I have to run one of my kids to work in a few minutes, so may not respond right away.  Thanks!

 

 

Edited January 5, 2018 by marbel

[Laura Corin]

I would saute the onion until tender, preferably caramelised, then add to the stew.

[Familia]

I would saute the onion until tender, preferably caramelised, then add to the stew.

This exactly.

[Tanaqui]

Thirding the advice to saute the onion. It'll take about 20 minutes to half an hour to caramelize.

 

You could also add dried onion with the sauteed onion.

[nevergiveup]

Yep--along the same lines, I'd roast them then add them and make sure to simmer awhile to marry the flavors.

[ashfern]

You could do what the others have suggested or just add some onion powder to the broth when you thicken it.

[Kassia]

You could do what the others have suggested or just add some onion powder to the broth when you thicken it.

 

That was my first thought, too.

[marbel]

Thanks.  I will saute and then add to the rest of the stew afterward.  I don't keep  dried onion or onion powder around, so those options are out.  I may get some for future onion emergencies!

 

You know, I have been cooking for many years but sometimes I still run into something that stumps me!  

 

 

[Alessandra]

Or use shallots, if you have them. I find that diced shallots cook quite quickly in a little butter or oil and don't have the raw taste that uncooked onions do.

[gardenmom5]

I would stir fry the onions in some of the beef fat until golden - then throw it all back in and let it just warm for the next three hours.