Autumn Beef and Cider Stew

This easy, seasonally-inspired beef stew is packed with classic and autumn flavors like sweet potatoes, bacon and dried cranberries simmered until tender in apple cider and condensed French onion soup. Sure to become a Fall "must-have" stew!

Recipe Ingredients:

2 pounds beef for stew, cut into 1 to 1 1/2-inch pieces
2 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-in. pieces
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed French onion soup
1 cup apple cider
1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
1/3 cup unsweetened dried cranberries

Cooking Directions:

1. Cook bacon in stockpot over medium heat until crisp; remove with slotted spoon to paper-towel-lined plate.
2. Brown 1/2 of beef in bacon drippings over medium heat; remove from stockpot. Repeat with remaining beef; season with salt and pepper.
3. Return beef and bacon to stockpot. Add condensed French onion soup and cider; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 1 3/4 hours.
4. Add sweet potatoes and cranberries to stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; continue simmering, covered, 20 to 30 minutes or until beef and potatoes are fork-tender.

Makes 6 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/6 of recipe): Calories: 288; Total Fat: 8g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 65mg; Total Carbs: 29g; Fiber: 3g; Protein: 24g; Sodium: 923mg.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of The Beef Checkoff.