This Sweet & Savory Beef Stew is so delicious. It is a wonderful stew which will warm you on even the coldest day. The sauce is naturally sweetened from the addition of dried cherries and the butternut squash. I think this sweetness complements the tenderness of the beef beautifully.
It’s really easy to make too, although it has a long cooking time to ensure the most tender beef pieces. I start by browning the beef. Then I fry the shallots and add herbs and seasonings. I pour in the broth and scrape any brown bits from the bottom – you want these for the flavor! I stir in the butternut squash and place the stew in the oven for an hour. Stir in the cherries and cook for another 30 minutes before serving with rice, pasta or potatoes. Yum!
To make Sweet & Savory Beef Stew, you will need the following ingredients:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Place the beef cubes in a large ovenproof saucepan or Dutch oven with 1½ teaspoons of the canola oil. Cook over medium heat until the meat is browned on all sides. Transfer the browned beef pieces to a plate.
Reduce heat to medium-low. In the same pan, cook the shallot while stirring for 1 minute.
Mix in the thyme, sage, salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 30 seconds..
Put the beef back in the pot and sprinkle with flour.
Cook the beef and flour for a further three minutes. Stir often to ensure the flour doesn’t burn.
Add the broth and scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Cooking for another 2 minutes until the sauce begins to bubble and thickens slightly.
Stir in the squash and place the lid on the saucepan or Dutch oven.
Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven.
Add the cherries and continue to bake the stew in the oven for a further 30 minutes.
Serve with potatoes, rice or pasta.
Sweet & Savory Beef Stew is a great beef stew to make on a winter evening. Try it soon and don’t forget to come back and leave a comment with your thoughts.
