St. Cloud Apple-Beef Stew with Thyme
A hearty stew with tender beef, sweet apples, and aromatic thyme, simmered to perfection. This american-inspired beef ready in about 165 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast, peeled, cored, and diced apples, sliced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 2, peeled, cored, and diced apples
- 3, sliced carrots
- 1, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat beef dry and season generously with salt and pepper. In a heavy pot over medium-high heat, melt 1 tbsp butter and brown beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply seared, then set aside.
- Step 2: Add onion to the pot and cook for 3 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir constantly for 2 minutes to form a roux.
- Step 4: Gradually whisk in beef broth, scraping up browned bits from the pot, then return beef to the pot along with apples, carrots, and thyme.
- Step 5: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 2 hours until beef is fork-tender.
- Step 6: Stir in remaining 1 tbsp butter and cook uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly. Adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does St. Cloud Apple-Beef Stew with Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 165 minutes (25 min prep + 140 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover St. Cloud Apple-Beef Stew with Thyme?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep sliced carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in St. Cloud Apple-Beef Stew with Thyme?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale St. Cloud Apple-Beef Stew with Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with St. Cloud Apple-Beef Stew with Thyme?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Cooked for my parents' anniversary—everyone praised the thyme balance. Will make again for Sunday dinners.
- ★★★★★
My kids couldn't get enough of this stew! The apples added the perfect sweetness without overpowering the beef.
- ★★★★☆
Loved it! Simple and comforting—perfect for cold evenings.
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