Description

Apple Cider Stew Mash is a cozy fall comfort dish featuring tender beef braised in sweet apple cider, finished with a rich gravy, and served over creamy cheddar mashed potatoes. This hearty one-pot meal blends onion, garlic, thyme, smoked paprika, carrots, and apples for a perfect sweet-savory balance. Ideal for chilly evenings, it yields generous portions and a bright parsley-chives garnish for a satisfying family favorite that captures autumn warmth and homestyle flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
¾ lb (340 g) top sirloin, cut into cubes
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup apple cider (non-alcoholic)
1 cup beef broth
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 small apple, peeled and diced
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
For the Cheddar Mashed Potatoes:
3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 tbsp butter
½ cup milk or cream
½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp chopped chives (for garnish)

Instructions

Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add beef cubes, season with salt and pepper, and sear on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, add onion and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in tomato paste, thyme, and paprika. Add apple cider and beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pot.
Add carrots, apple, bay leaf, and seared beef back to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook on low heat for 1½ hours or until beef is tender and the sauce is rich.
Meanwhile, prepare mashed potatoes: boil potatoes until soft, then mash with butter, milk, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until creamy.
To serve, spoon mashed potatoes onto a plate, top with apple cider beef stew, and garnish with parsley and chives.

Notes

You can substitute oxtail or other braising cuts for a richer flavor.
Make ahead: refrigerate the stew and reheat gently before serving.
For a gluten-free version, ensure tomato paste is gluten-free and use gluten-free beef broth.
Discard the bay leaf before serving.
Leftovers reheat well and pair nicely with extra mashed potatoes.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Category: Beef Stew
Method: Stovetop Braising
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 380
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 640 mg
Fat: 24 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 90 mg

Keywords: Apple Cider Stew Mash, fall beef stew, beef stew over mashed potatoes, cheddar mashed potatoes, autumn dinner, cozy weeknight meal, fall comfort food, apple thyme paprika stew