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Cranberry Cider Braised Beef Stew with Rosemary Polenta. Slow cooked beef stew with cider, wine, fresh herbs, and sweet cranberries. If there’s one cozy autumn meal you need to be making, it’s this beef stew. It’s such a simple dinner to throw together, even kind of festive, and totally delicious. Serve this stew over a bed of creamy rosemary polenta and you’ll have the perfect dinner for a cold night in with family and friends.
Is anyone else in a bit of disbelief that we are already six days into November? It’s weird because on one hand, it feels like November, the temperatures are cold, the leaves have fallen, and Thanksgiving is my current focus (well, and the new cookbook, of course). On the other hand, it feels like it should still be September. Where did October go? How are we entering into the final days of 2019? Soon it’s going to be onto Christmas, my mind is just in complete shock.
I know that everyone says this, but how is time flying by so quickly? I’m currently on a plane headed to LA, but by the time this post goes live on Wednesday I’ll be finishing up my LA trip and already be heading back that night on a plane home – wow!
It is supposed to be a nice eighty-ish degrees in LA. I’m sure the next few days will be a little confusing to me weather-wise. Especially since I’m in full-on cozy fall mode…as you can tell from pretty much every recipe I’ll be sharing this month…but I’ll take it!
So what’s my point in all this crazy airplane rambling? Well, it’s November, and with November comes the arrival of fresh cranberries.
Most of the time we all only think to use cranberries in our Thanksgiving cranberry sauce. Maybe sometimes we’ll incorporate them into a cocktail, but rarely do we think to use cranberries in other ways.
Thankfully that’s why I’m here. I love using cranberries in savory ways throughout the months of November and December. Not only are cranberries festive and pretty…they can also be a sweet yet tart addition to savory recipes when used correctly. Enter this beef stew. It’s classic beef stew, but with a twist. And it’s just as delicious as you can imagine.
Here are the stewy details.
Start with the beef. The wonderful thing about beef stew is that you can use a cheaper cut of meat, but make it taste incredible. Cooking the beef low and slow helps to tenderize it and rid the beef of any toughness.
No time for low and slow? No worries, I also tested this recipe out in the instant pot. I was pleasantly surprised with just how mouth-wateringly good the beef turned out.
As with most meat-based recipes, I like to brown the beef before adding any kind of liquid. I know it’s an additional step, but I find it makes for an even more flavorful stew.
Brown the beef, then simply add in sweet cider, a touch of red wine, plenty of carrots, shallots, herbs, and all the other delicious workings of a great beef stew. The key to this stew is the use of fresh apple cider and tart cranberries. The cider spices up the sauce and balances out the tartness from the cranberries. And I know cranberries may seem odd, but trust me, beef and cranberries are such a delicious combination.
If you tried last year’s cranberry braised short ribs, you’ll love this beef stew.
Of course, if you’re truly not a fan, you can easily omit the cranberries from the recipe.
Now, onto that rosemary polenta.
Just before you’re ready to eat, you should start making the polenta. You could also do something like mashed potatoes or egg noodles, but I’ve found that rosemary polenta is particularly delicious.
To give the polenta a really delicious flavor, I started off by frying the rosemary in a little olive with a few cloves of garlic. This infuses the oil but doesn’t leave you with an overpowering rosemary flavor. Once the rosemary is crisp just add water, then stir in the instant polenta.
If you’re new to instant polenta, it only takes five minutes to make but leaves you with the creamiest, butteriest polenta. This is one of my go-to (and gluten free) side dishes throughout the colder days of the year. It’s healthy, easy to make, and so delicious.
Finish it up.
Once the beef is tender and the stew sauce has thickened into a loose gravy, spoon the beef over plates of steaming polenta.
Then top with that crisped rosemary and enjoy with a side of crusty bread…and maybe a glass of wine too.
I know it’s only Wednesday, but I don’t see why we can’t make it just as special as a Saturday. Right?
So let’s do it!
PS. How amazing would it be if I actually came home to this cooking away tonight? Unfortunately, I don’t get in until later, and then have to make the hour and a half trek home…ugh. Not my favorite.
BUT that leaves me with a thought. If you know someone who needs a little cheering up. Or you’d just like to do something nice for someone you love…make this beef.
It’s sure to be a win!
If you make this cranberry cider braised beef stew with rosemary polenta, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Cranberry Cider Braised Beef Stew with Rosemary Polenta.
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 693 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds beef chuck, trimmed and cubed
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 shallots, thinly sliced
- 6 carrots, chopped
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 cup dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon can also use beef broth
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 1/2 cups dry instant polenta
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- 1. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet, sear the beef on both sides. Remove the beef and transfer to the slow cooker. 2. To the slow cooker, add the shallots and carrots. Add the cider, wine, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, brown sugar (or honey), thyme, and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper, gently stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. During the last 2 hours of cooking, add the cranberries. 3. To make the polenta. Heat the butter, garlic, and rosemary in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the garlic is golden and the rosemary is crisp and "fried", about 3 minutes. Remove the rosemary and reserve. To the pan, add 4 cups water and bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in the polenta, stirring until the polenta is soft and thick, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. If the polenta thickens too much, thin with additional water or cream for an extra luscious polenta. 4. To serve, remove the thyme and bay leaves from the stew. Serve the stew and gravy over the polenta. Top with crisped rosemary. Enjoy!
Oven
- 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. 2. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe braiser, sear the beef on both sides. Remove the beef to a plate. Add the shallots and carrots, cook 5 minutes or until the shallots begin to caramelize. Add back the beef. Add the cider, wine, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, brown sugar (or honey), thyme, and bay leaves. Sprinkle the cranberries overtop. Season with salt and pepper, gently stir to combine. Cover and transfer to the oven. Cook for 2 ½ to 3 hours or until the beef is tender.3. Make the polenta and finish as directed above.
Instant Pot
- 1. Switch the instant pot to sauté. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Sear the beef on both sides until browned. Turn the instant pot off. 2. To the instant pot, add the shallots and carrots. Add the cider, wine, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, brown sugar (or honey), thyme, and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper, gently stir to combine. Seal the instant pot and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. 3. Switch the instant pot to sauté. Add the cranberries and bring the sauce to a boil. Boil 8-10 minutes until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens slightly. 4. Make the polenta and finish as directed above.
Made this for our first snow of the season! It was so easy in the instant pot and the polenta was a perfect addition! Added a bit of Parmesan to the polenta at the end and it added a great salty/nutty bite! Will definitely be making this again.
Hi Raffaella! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan
I followed the recipe exactly EXCEPT I substituted elk meat for the beef and it turned out FANTASTIC! Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Thank you so much Kate! xTieghan
This. Was. So. Freaking. Good. Only had 1 cup of cider left so used that + 1 cup of water instead. Also, forgot the brown sugar/honey but didn’t miss it. Followed the instant pot directions and it came out so great. It ended up sitting on low for about 2 hours after the cranberries went in so they kind of dissolved but it made the most wonderful gravy. Definitely will make this again and again!
I am so happy this recipe turned out so amazing for you, Maggie! Thank you so much for trying this one!! xTieghan
Very tasty dish. I cooked it in my crock pot. Love the rosemary garlic polenta, and the fresh flavors of the apple cider and cranberries. I do have a couple of questions – in your recipe photo the gravy/sauce looks like a nice medium consistency. Mine was more watery, like it needed to be reduced or have some flour or corn starch added. Maybe it’s the crock pot method with the lid on the whole time. Also, after browning the smashed garlic – did you leave it in with the polenta? I removed it and small diced it and put it back in the finished polenta.
Hey Diane,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, I am sorry your sauce was watery. Next time I would add some corn starch to thicken it up. I like to removed the smashed garlic from the polenta. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Can we use something instead of apple cider? I read apple cider vinegar and I have to start this im the next 20 minutes =(
Hey Nicole,
You can use broth. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This is my new favorite recipe and I’m running to tell everyone. I have already made it 3 times in my instant pot! The red wine really makes the dish but everything is just perfection!
Thank you so much Kait!! xTieghan
Made this today. Such a wonderful dish! Never have I fried rosemary! I can munch on that all day. The beef, cider, wine, and cranberries made for a lovely combination. My only fail, not taking a pic. Thrilled I found you.
I am so glad this turned out so well for you, Keely! Thank you so much for trying this one! xTieghan
This is the best beef stew I have ever made. period. great tart-ness, super easy-made it in the Instant Pot, which couldn’t have been simpler! great all-day cooking flavor for minimal effort. If this doesn’t make any sense, it’s because I made a pitcher of your harvest-cider margaritas as well…
Haha love that! I am really glad you enjoyed both recipes, Jennifer! Thank you! xTieghan
This was so good! My husband said he could eat the whole pot full!! The sauce was so flavor packed. Loved the tart of the cranberry. The polenta was the perfect side! Tomorrow I will be trying the Cranberry brie bites! Everything I have made from your recipes has been wonderful!!!! Thank you for sharing with us!
Wow that is so amazing! I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Nicole! Thank you! xTieghan
What a beautiful recipe! Could I use apple juice instead of cider?
Thanks!
I so wanted to love this! But it just fell short for my family. Followed the recipe to a T in the oven. It was very easy to put together which I very much appreciated! But it just came out a bit too sweet for us. The polenta was great. I think I would consider trying it out again and maybe swapping the cider for beef stock and not adding brown sugar. Looking forward to trying out more recipes on your site! Thanks!
Not only did my husband love it, but the teenagers went back for seconds. Huge hit – cranberries make the huge difference.
Thank you so much Shannon! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I never write reviews, but this recipe was SO good I just had to! I love braising and have tried a lot of different recipes, and this is the one I always come back to. It’s the perfect amount of braising liquid and subsequent gravy at the end. The combination of sweet and tart, and the depth of flavor is so delicious everyone in my house devoured it and immediately asked for it again! We felt like we’d gone out to a restaurant right at home. Thank you for the perfect chilly weather comfort food!
Thank you Katherine! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Do you think grits would be a good substitute for the polenta? Or would it be not quite as good? I haven’t cooked with Polenta before!
Hey Grace,
Sure grits would be great! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This has potential but sadly was inedible!!! Followed the recipe exactly, and it was so acidic that we could not eat it. So sad. I don’t think 2 cups of apple cider vinegar is right—completely overpowered it. I used the Instant Pot and followed the Instant Pot part of the recipe….
Hi Juliette! This recipe does not call for apple cider vinegar… just regular apple cider. That is most likely why this did not turn out well for you. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help with! xTieghan