Slow Cooker Beef and Apple Cider Stew

This slow cooker beef and apple cider stew is the kind of warm, filling dinner that feels just right for chilly fall and winter days. Beef shanks turn soft and tender as they cook low and slow, while the apple cider adds a light, sweet taste that mixes so well with the savory onions, carrots, and herbs. It’s a plain, old-style stew with a cozy, farmhouse feeling, and the best part is you barely have to do any hands-on work to get a rich, homestyle meal on the table.

Serve this stew with warm crusty bread, creamy mashed potatoes, or egg noodles to soak up every drop of the broth. If you want something lighter, try it next to a crisp green salad or simple roasted green beans. If you’re feeding a bigger group, a side of applesauce or roasted root vegetables makes the whole dinner feel extra warm and homey.

Servings: 4 to 6

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 to 3 pounds beef shanks
• 1 large yellow onion, sliced
• 4 medium carrots, cut into thick pieces
• 2 cups apple cider
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Slow Cooker Beef and Apple Cider Stew: Directions

1. Add the beef and veggies. Place the beef shanks flat in the bottom of the slow cooker. Scatter the sliced onion and thick carrot pieces around and over the top of the meat so everything gets a chance to cook together.
2. Mix the sauce. In a small bowl or a large measuring cup, stir together the apple cider, tomato paste, dried thyme, a good pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Keep stirring until the tomato paste is fully mixed in and there are no lumps left.
3. Pour it over. Slowly pour the apple cider mixture over the beef shanks and vegetables in the slow cooker, making sure the liquid spreads evenly and reaches down between the pieces of meat and veggies.
4. Cook low and slow. Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours, or on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours. The stew is ready when the beef is very soft and starts to fall apart easily, almost pulling right off the bone.
5. Check and adjust the taste. Once cooking is done, use a spoon to skim off any extra fat sitting on top of the broth, if you like a lighter stew. Give the broth a taste, then add a little more salt and pepper if it needs it.
6. Serve it hot. Spoon the tender beef into bowls, then ladle the soft vegetables and warm broth right over the top. Serve while everything is nice and hot for the coziest meal.

Slow Cooker Depression Beef and Noodles