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–+ servings
winter beef stew

Cranberry Braised Beef Stew

Sweet and tangy cranberries along with braising the ingredients before slow cooking adds complex flavor to this delicious beef stew recipe!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, winter
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker or Crock Pot

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds stew beef, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 small yellow onions, chopped
  • 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 8 ounces mushrooms (any kind)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 cups dry red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • a pinch of thyme sprigs (about 20) and a pinch of sage leaves (about 10)
  • 1.5 cups fresh cranberries
  • 2 tbsp corn starch
  • 1 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp black pepper (more to taste)

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven. Toss in the stew meat, and let one side sear for about 2 minutes until light brown color forms. Stir the meat, and let a second side of the beef sear for 2-3 minutes.
  • Toss in the onions, carrots and mushrooms, stirring to combine. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Pour in the red wine. At this point, the heat of the pot should be high, and the red wine should come to a simmer quickly. Simmer for about 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  • Pour in the beef stock and add the tomato paste and brown sugar to the pot. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, and add the thyme and sage to the pot.
  • Transfer the contents of the pot to the slow cooker and place the lid on. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. NOTE: see next step.
  • 2 hours before the stew is done, spoon about 1/2 a cup of liquid out of the slow cooker into a bowl. Add the cornstarch to the bowl, and mix until there are no clumps. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker along with the cranberries, and stir well. Continue to cook for 2 hours.
  • When done cooking, remove the thyme sprigs and sage leaves. Serve over a base such as mashed potatoes, and enjoy!
Keyword asian chicken dinner, beef stew, beef stock, braised, cranberry, delicious, easy, red wine, sausage, stew meat, stewing meat, thyme, winter
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