There are hundreds of ways to cook beef stew, and they all ensure the meat becomes tender and silky in an intensely-flavored savory sauce. Add to it one unusual ingredient, and your beef stew will be the most delicious number you’ve cooked, yet.

The secret ingredient is none other than Italian salad dressing that uses ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, and olive oil, and enhances the food by giving a tangy, bold taste. It would be best to go for a homemade Italian dressing recipe for a beef stew instead of a creamy Italian or a store-bought dressing.

For your beef stew, cook the meat in Italian salad dressing until it's evenly browned. Next, add other ingredients before cooking it for a couple of hours to ensure the meat is succulent, and you can experiment with vegetables or add mushrooms for more nutritional benefits. Just make sure you don’t use tough meat cuts, overcook the meat or over-thicken the stew.