Description
This Apple Cider Stew is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for fall. Tender beef, soft potatoes, and carrots simmer in a cider-infused broth with aromatic herbs, creating a cozy meal for chilly nights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds (900g) stew beef, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups (720ml) apple cider (not apple cider vinegar)
- 2 cups (475ml) beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
- Optional: 1 tablespoon tomato paste or Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven. Season beef with salt and pepper and brown in batches. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic, then sprinkle with flour and stir to coat.
- Deglaze: Slowly pour in apple cider, scraping up browned bits. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer.
- Simmer with Beef: Return beef to the pot, cover, and simmer on low for 1 hour.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in carrots and potatoes. Simmer another 45 minutes until vegetables are tender and beef is soft.
- Season: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or cider. Add a knob of butter if desired.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and enjoy with crusty bread or biscuits.
Notes
- Use real apple cider, not apple juice or vinegar.
- Brown beef in batches for maximum flavor.
- Simmer low and slow for tender beef and rich broth.
- Thicken stew by mashing potatoes into the broth or adding cornstarch slurry.
- Tastes even better the next day—perfect for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Soups and Stews
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: Not specified
- Sugar: Not specified
- Sodium: Not specified
- Fat: Not specified
- Saturated Fat: Not specified
- Unsaturated Fat: Not specified
- Trans Fat: Not specified
- Carbohydrates: Not specified
- Fiber: Not specified
- Protein: Not specified
- Cholesterol: Not specified