Do You Flour The Meat?

[Topaz]

I often see people on cooking shows lightly flour the meat before browning it for a casserole but is that really necessary? Is it to help thicken the sauce? I haven't been doing that but maybe I should. What do you do?

[kitchenelf]

Yes, a lot of times I do. But usually the directions call for it. More often it's for pork chops, roast, beef tips, etc. Sometimes for one-pot meals this is called for. It helps flavor the dish and yes, it can help promote a thicker gravy. If you have a specific casserole in mind give us a general recipe and we'll tell you whether that's one we brown the protein/meat for.

[Constance]

Flouring the meat first does help thicken the sauce. I've never done it for a casserole, though...just pot roast and stews.

[Andy M.]

Flouring helps the meat to brown and can aid in thickening a sauce or gravy. Flouring is usually done for stews and soups or other dsishes that include the meat's being cooked in a liquid.

[Topaz]

What's the difference between a casserole and a stew? I thought it was a different term for the same thing.

[Andy M.]

Stews have more liquid than cassaroles.

Cassaroles are usually done in the oven while stews are usually done on the stovetop.

Cassaroles are baked in a low, wide, open top baking dish (sometimes the top is covered for part of the cooking time) while stews are cooked in closed pots.

Cassaroles are cooked in cassarole dishes.

[jennyema]

I don't flour because I think it makes the meat slimy. I brown the meat and if the sauce needs thickening I add some Wondra or regular flour.

IMO flour doesn't help the meat to brown.

[VeraBlue]

I always dredge the meat in seasoned flour. It's for creating the roux.

[Topaz]

I'll try it with flour and see if it makes much difference.

Thanks for your responses.

[Barb L.]

I always use flour to dust my beef or pork before browning, I can sure tell the difference. Can't beat the little bits on the bottom of the pan for gravy or sauce, w/ a little onion and garlic for flavor. Let us now when you try it Topaz !