This Apple Cider Beef Stew is gluten free and full of comfort. It's easy to throw together and tastes great the next day. It's the perfect meal to make for company over the holidays.
Are you having house guests over the holidays? We are having a full house for the next two weeks. We have my parents staying for 10 days - thanks, hubby - then his family for a few days after that. It's always nice to have meals planned ahead so you aren't slaving away in the kitchen when you could be relaxing with your guests.
This Apple Cider Beef Stew is a family favorite for us and tastes great the next day.
We eat a lot of beef stew in the winter and I make it several different ways. I have a Guinness Stew that is great when we have dinner guests, but my kids don't like it. Giada DeLaurentis has a great beef stew recipe with red wine, but my kids won't eat that one either.
They prefer a lighter tasting broth and this Apple Cider Beef Stew fits the bill. It's almost sweet, but the sweetness can be adjusted by using less apple cider and more beef stock.
I've tried a lot of different substitutions to make beef stew gluten free and this is my favorite so far: I used quinoa flour to replace the regular flour in the browning stage. The quinoa flour has a very mild taste and helps to thicken the broth. Then all you have to do is make sure your beef stock is gluten free. I prefer beef stock over beef broth because it has more flavor. You can tell by how dark the broth is ↓.
This Apple Cider Beef Stew if infinitely adaptable. You can add your own spin on the vegetables by using sweet potatoes, turnips, butternut squash or parsnips. I don't add tomatoes to my stew but feel free to add a can of diced tomatoes. It's almost impossible to mess this up.
My other favorite beef stews from around the web...
- Chianti Marinated Beef Stew from Giada DeLaurentis
- Beef and Sweet Potato Stew from Joy the Baker
- Beef Barley Soup from The Food Charlatan
- Beef Stew with Carrots and Potatoes from Once Upon a Chef
Apple Cider Beef Stew
Ingredients
- olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves chopped
- ½ cup quinoa flour
- 1 ½- 2 pounds boneless beef chuck cut into pieces
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 cups apple cider
- 4 cups beef stock I used Kitchen Basics
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
- 3 potatoes diced into 1 ½ pieces
- 3 carrots cut into 1 ½ inch pieces
- 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Season beef with salt and pepper.
- Heat dutch oven over medium high heat.
- Add 2 tablespoon of olive oil to a dutch oven over medium hight heat. Put quinoa flour in a small bowl and toss each piece of beef in the flour. Shake off the excess each time and throw away any leftover flour.
- Brown beef on each side. You will need to do this in two batches so you don't overcrowd the pan.
- Transfer the browned beef to a plate and set aside.
- Add 2 tablespoon oil and saute garlic for 2 minutes.
- Add onions and cook for another few minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and cook for a few minutes.
- Add beef with any juices back to pan. Add broth, cider, bay leaves, and rosemary to the pot.
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer with the lid on for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
- Add carrots and potatoes and cook for another 30-45 minutes or until everything is tender.
- Add frozen peas and cook for a few more minutes.
- Garnish with fresh rosemary or parsley.
- Season to taste with fresh pepper and salt.
Natasha @ Salt and Lavender says
Looks so cozy and comforting! Love it.
Mahy says
Love it! You can never go wrong with comfort and this shouts comfort! Photos are mouthwatering--I want a plate of this right now!
Melina Malone says
Thanks so much Mahy. Cold weather comfort at it's best.
Sarah Scherer says
This was delicious! Sounded like a crazy amount of apple cider but it really worked. Some of the kids were wary of this, but everyone tried it and everyone loved it. The beef was super tender. It made a nice big batch and 2 had it for leftovers for lunch the next day. Had never made beef stew before but will add it in the rotation. Thanks, Melina!
Melina Malone says
Sarah, thanks for letting me know. I'm so glad the boys liked it!
Amy says
Beef stew has always been one of my favorites. I've never used apple cider in it but It sounds amazing. I love the way the potatoes and carrots taste after they've cooked in all of that yummy beef stock and with the vinegar I bet they are even better. I will have to try it out! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Melina Malone says
I agree. It's the perfect cold weather meal and it's 23 degrees here right now!
anyone4curryandotherthings says
Never mind the tropical heat I am living with now 🙂 - this delicious Stew reminds me of Germany and Snow and cosy fires, and.....:) 🙂
Melina Malone says
Aw, thanks. I hope you have a cool evening to try it out!
Helen F. says
Ran out immediately to buy ingredients to try this recipe because I love Apple Cider Vinegar & its health benefits. Stew came out a little too tart for my taste. Otherwise, it was delicious, and beef was so tender. Next time tho I would cut vinegar to 3/4 to 1 cup, instead of 2 cups
Melina Malone says
Hi Helen, It's not apple cider vinegar - just plain old sweet apple cider. That must be why it was so tart. Thanks
Helen says
Oh my gosh, Melina, my mistake !!! Haste makes waste. Thanks for setting me straight! I had just made a huge batch of Fire Cider that calls for Apple Cider Vinegar so that was on my mind!!! Now it explains why the children like your recipe better with cider - sweet apple cider!
Elaina says
This stew was delicious. It smelled amazing cooking on the stovetop this afternoon and he flavors were so warming and cozy. Perfect for this rainy fall day.
Melina Malone says
Thanks so much for letting me know!
Alex says
By “apple cider” do you mean a regular alcoholic sweet/sour drink, right? Like those popular in UK?
Melina Malone says
I mean non alcoholic apple cider which is unfiltered apple juice. You could also use apple juice and the alcoholic one might be good too!