Description
This Apple Cider Beef with Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe combines tender beef with the sweet and tangy notes of apple cider, creating a comforting dish perfect for any occasion. The creamy mashed sweet potatoes add a delightful sweetness that beautifully complements the beef.
Ingredients
- Chuck roast or beef stew meat
- Sirloin (optional)
- Good-quality non-alcoholic apple cider
- Apple juice (if substituting for apple cider)
- Vinegar (if substituting for apple cider)
- Fresh sweet potatoes
- Canned sweet potatoes (optional)
- Onions
- Carrots
- Parsnips (optional)
- Turnips (optional)
- Fresh thyme
- Fresh rosemary
- Dried herbs (if fresh not available)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Milk or cream
- Cinnamon (optional)
- Nutmeg (optional)
- Bay leaf
Instructions
- Begin by cutting the beef into 1-inch cubes. Season generously with salt and pepper. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, ensuring it gets a nice sear on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
- In the same pot, add another tablespoon of olive oil if necessary. Add chopped onions and carrots, sautéing them until they are soft and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour in 2 cups of apple cider, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits. This adds depth to the flavor. Bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Return the browned beef to the pot. Add in your herbs, a bay leaf, and any additional spices you prefer. Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.
- While the beef is cooking, peel and cut the sweet potatoes into chunks. Boil them in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and return them to the pot.
- Mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or fork. Add a couple of tablespoons of butter, a splash of milk or cream, and season with salt and pepper to taste. For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Once the beef is tender, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the apple cider beef over a bed of creamy mashed sweet potatoes, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: For even more flavor, consider marinating the beef in apple cider for a few hours or overnight before cooking. If you prefer a slow cooker, you can easily adapt this recipe. This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.