OAMC-Apple Cider Beef Stew

OnceAMonthMom is a great site to check out for tips, tricks, and recipes.  If you get a chance go check it out.

 

Apple Cider Beef Stew

A great recipe that is perfect for fall and you can prep it ahead! Check out my latest creation that I worked with Ziploc to craft!
This blend of sweet apples, seasoned beef and farm fresh vegetables is one of my absolute favorite dishes for welcoming fall. It is so easy, yet tastes like you have slaved over it for hours. (Don’t tell anyone that it was Mrs. Slow Cooker that did all that slaving.)
The meat is quickly browned with thyme, pepper and salt sealing in the marinating the meats natural flavorings. The fresh vegetables ensure that you don’t have to spend extra time working to make sure there are adequate side dishes on the table. And the addition of fall apples makes the dish scream FALL!
This was a family favorite growing up and still is to this day. It is easy to prepare ahead of time and it makes your house smell amazing. And like most recipes found around these parts; it is freezer friendly as well.

Author/Source:

Tricia @ Onceamonthmom.com

Ingredients:

• 0.5    cups    water
• 2    pounds    beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3    Tablespoons    all-purpose flour
• .75    Tablespoons    salt
• 0.5    teaspoon    pepper
• 0.5    teaspoon    dried thyme
• 3    Tablespoons    cooking oil
• 2    cups    apple cider or apple juice
• 2    Tablespoons    vinegar
• 3    whole    potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 4    whole    carrots, quartered
• 2    whole    onions, sliced
• 1    stalks    celery, sliced
• 2    whole    apples, sliced (or diced)
• 1   gallon-sized Ziploc Brand bag or 4 quart-sized Ziploc Brand Freezer bags

Directions:

1. Place meat in a gallon-sized Ziploc Brand bag and add mixture of flour, salt, pepper and thyme.
2. Shake until well coated.
3. Brown meat in hot oil.
4. Drain off fat.
5. In a 4-6 quart slow cooker add remaining vegetables, apples, juice/cider and water.
6. Add meat on top.
7. Cook on low 10-12 hours or high 6-8 hours

This is a great recipe that you can also make in advance and serve later!

Freezing Directions:

1. Repeat steps 1-4 from above.
2. Divide meat among 4 quart-sized Ziploc Brand Freezer bags
3. Place potatoes in 4 gallon-sized Ziploc Brand Freezer bags on bottom and add remaining vegetables, apples, juice/cider and water
4. Freeze along with meat
5. Thaw and place meat and vegetable mixture in a slow cooker on low 10-12 hours or high 6-8 hours

Servings: 4-6