Cook it on low heat. I'd suggest cooking it until about an hour before going to bed, then taking it off the heat-- you don't want to overcook it to the point where the meat is no longer juicy. If you're using ground beef, on the other hand, that's mostly a non-issue. At that point I'd say turn it off for an hour or so, and then turn it back on low before going to bed, so as to minimize chances of overcooking (which won't kill it, but may give it a more earthy flavor, depending on what's in the soup).

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It's stewing beef, actually, like a good little recipe-follower.


If I take it off the heat, should I put it in the fridge? Or leave it on the counter?

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You can go either way. If you put it in the fridge, then you're cooling it off, and you want to leave the lid slightly askew so that it cools properly. Also, if you're going to nap or go to sleep, you'll want refrigerate it rather than leave it on the counter.

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Funny, mine is the same way. If you place it in the fridge it will get better, the flavors will meld over time and it will get thicker. It's what I am doing with mine.

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Are you putting it in the fridge in the crock, or in some other container?

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If it's a removable pot, then put the whole crock in the fridge. You can then put it back in the crock later after the refrigeration and thickening.

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I placed the stew in tupperwares for individual servings. In the past I have placed the entire crock, you can if you like.

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Don't leave it on the counter overnight. It wouldn't be at a safe temperature, and would grow unhealthy amounts of bacteria that could make you very sick. I'd put it in the fridge overnight and continue cooking if necessary tomorrow.

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(Which goes hand-in-hand with my comment around the same time, with leaving the lid askew when refrigerating it. *grin*)

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By the time I put it in the fridge, the crock itself was cool enough to handle easily (I took the advice of turning it off an hour before going to bed.)

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