Winter Beef Stew with Apricots and Prunes

Warm up your winter evenings with this deeply comforting Winter Beef Stew with Apricots and Prunes, a hearty dish that blends savory and subtly sweet flavors. Tender chunks of beef chuck are slow-simmered with root vegetables, aromatic garlic, and dried fruit in a rich broth enhanced by a splash of red wine. The addition of apricots and prunes brings a delightful sweetness that perfectly balances the robust beef and earthy thyme. With its melt-in-your-mouth texture and fragrant medley of spices, this stew is the ultimate cold-weather comfort food. Ready in just over two hours, it’s a satisfying one-pot meal that’s perfect for cozy gatherings or family dinners. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up every drop of the luscious sauce, and garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Ideal for those craving a unique twist on traditional beef stew, this recipe is a true celebration of winter's heartwarming flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:140 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup dried apricots, halved
• 1 cup prunes, pitted
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Season the beef cubes with salt and black pepper, then coat them lightly with the all-purpose flour.

Step 2

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the browned beef and set aside.

Step 3

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Sauté the diced onion and sliced carrots for 5 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Deglaze the pot with the dry red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.

Step 6

Return the browned beef to the pot. Add the beef broth, bay leaves, and dried thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.

Step 7

After 1 hour, stir in the diced potatoes, dried apricots, and prunes. Continue simmering for 45-60 minutes or until the beef is tender and the potatoes are cooked through.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

Step 9

Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley. Pair with crusty bread for a complete winter meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3650.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4582.6

Total Fat 228.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 80.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.1g
Cholesterol 680.4mg	0%
Sodium 9123.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 424.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 49.2g	0%
Total Sugars 193.4g
Protein 201.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 609.0mg	0%
Iron 39.8mg	0%
Potassium 10518.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.1%

Protein: 17.7%

Carbs: 37.2%