Description
Nothing says cozy like this Cider-Braised Beef with Apples & Onions—a rich, tender beef roast slow-cooked in apple cider with earthy vegetables, sweet-tart apples, and fragrant thyme. This easy dinner is perfect for chilly nights, family meals, or fall gatherings. It’s a one-pot wonder that blends the best of sweet and savory in a deeply satisfying way. Whether you’re looking for comfort food ideas, easy recipes for dinner, or fall dinner ideas, this dish delivers every time.
Ingredients
3 pounds chuck roast
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 yellow onions, sliced
1 red onion, sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1½ cups apple cider (dry or non-alcoholic)
1 cup beef broth
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
1½ pounds baby potatoes, halved
2 apples (such as Honeycrisp), cored and sliced
5 sprigs fresh thyme
1½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Pat the chuck roast dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until browned, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pot, reduce heat to medium. Add onions and cook until softened and lightly caramelized, about 5–7 minutes.
4. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Deglaze the pot with apple cider, scraping up the browned bits. Add beef broth and stir.
6. Return the roast to the pot. Nestle in carrots, potatoes, and apple slices. Top with fresh thyme.
7. Cover and transfer to a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C). Braise for 3 to 3½ hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
8. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10–15 minutes in the liquid.
9. Shred or slice the beef and serve with the vegetables, apples, and a ladle of the cider-rich sauce.
10. Garnish with extra thyme if desired.
Notes
Let the roast rest in the braising liquid to soak up even more flavor before slicing.
Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji to avoid mushy textures.
This dish is even better the next day—perfect for make-ahead meals.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: cider-braised beef, apple cider beef roast, fall beef recipes, dinner ideas, easy braised beef