Description
Warm up with hearty Fall Apple Cider Beef Stew over Mashed Potatoes, combining tender beef simmered in spiced apple cider with rich vegetables. This comforting stew, served over creamy mashed potatoes, perfectly balances savory and sweet flavors for cozy autumn nights and satisfying family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Stew Base
- 2 to 3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
- 2 cups apple cider (fresh, unsweetened)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons butter (for sautéing)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
Mashed Potatoes
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Cut the beef chuck roast into large chunks, pat dry, and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and sear the beef pieces until browned on all sides to lock in flavor.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add butter and sauté chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened and fragrant, forming the flavorful base of the stew.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour apple cider into the pan to deglaze, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Transfer the mixture to a large pot, add beef broth, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaves, then bring to a simmer.
- Cook the Stew: Return the seared beef to the pot, cover, and cook on low heat for 2 to 3 hours until the meat is tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.
- Prepare Mashed Potatoes: While the stew simmers, boil the peeled russet potatoes in salted water until soft. Drain and mash with butter, heavy cream, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Spoon a generous portion of mashed potatoes onto each plate and ladle the warm Fall Apple Cider Beef Stew over the top. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired and enjoy.
Notes
- Brown your beef well: Enhances flavor through caramelization and adds color to the stew.
- Use fresh apple cider: Avoid sweetened or spiced ciders to maintain control over flavor.
- Low and slow cooking: Ensures tender meat and rich, developed flavors.
- Essential aromatics: Onions, garlic, celery, and carrots provide depth and balance.
- Rest stew before serving: Let it sit 10 minutes off heat for flavors to settle and intensify.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering, Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl with mashed potatoes (approximately 1.5 cups stew and 1 cup mash)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg