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Is Browning Beef Necessary?
Will beef be cooked thoroughly if I don't brown it first? A beef and noodles recipe I want to try adds ingredients to uncooked beef that then is cooked in oven for 2 to 3 hours.
--Monika
Hi Monika,
Absolutely, if the beef is cooked in the oven for more than 2 hours, you do not need to brown it beforehand. The reason many recipes call for browning beef for stews and other dishes that are then baked in the oven is to add another layer of flavor to the meat. The browning (or caramelization) process creates a deep, savory flavor in the meat, but it is not necessary for cooking the meat through. Indeed, many cooks will forego this messy step for time and cleanup reasons.
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