Apple Cider Beef Stew

1017932's Note:

Recipe from Best of Taste of Home 2009

• Total Time: 6 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 6 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 4 cups frozen vegetables , for stew thawed (about 24 oz)
• 1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts , drained
• 1 (4 ½ ounce) jar sliced mushrooms , drained
• 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
• 2 (8 ounce) envelopes brown gravy mix
• 2 tablespoons onion soup mix
• 2 teaspoons steak seasoning
• 1⁄8; teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 lbs beef stew meat , cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 (14 ½ ounce) can beef broth
• 1 ¼ cups apple cider , or
• 1 ¼ cups unsweetened apple juice
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1⁄3; cup cold water

Directions:

1. Place the first four ingredients in a 5-qt slow cooker. In a large, resealable plastic bag, combine the gravy mix, soup mix, steak seasoning, and cinnamon; add beef, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat. Add to slow cooker.
2. Combine the broth, cider and tomato sauce; pour over beef. Add bay leaf. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until meat is tender.
3. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into stew. Cover and cook on high for 15 minutes or until thickened. Discard bay leaf.

Reviews

[ShayLyne81]

This wasn't bad, not a favorite but definitely a comfort food! My cinnamon lid exploded so I got a bit more than I bargined for =) Other than that the corn starch seemed to break a bit after it was cooked and was a little grainy even though I followed mixing instructions. I thought it was thick enough before the starch. Thanks for posting!