Beef Stew Recipe

Substituting cranberries and sweet potatoes for regular potatoes and carrots gives a fresh, out-of-the-ordinary twist to a basic beef stew.

So if you're looking for a recipe for cranberry and sweet potatoes, one that isn’t just a side dish for roast turkey dinner, you’re in luck with this untraditional beef stew.

Sweet potatoes, featured in this healthy stew, are packed with vitamin A and C. But this easy beef recipe contains cranberries, too, which are rich with disease-fighting antioxidants.

For this sweet potato stew, be sure to choose potatoes that have a smooth, unblemished skin and are small to medium in size.

For this easy stew recipe you will need:

2 pounds beef for stew, cut into 1 to 1-1/2-inch pieces

2 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste

1 can (10-1/2 ounces) 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


Cook bacon in stockpot over medium heat until crisp; remove with slotted spoon to paper-towel-lined plate.

Brown 1/2 of beef in bacon drippings over medium heat; remove from stockpot.

Repeat with remaining beef; season with salt and pepper.

Return beef and bacon to stockpot.

Add soup and cider; bring beef stew to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 1-3/4 hours.

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.

This recipe for beef stew serves 4 to 6.

Enjoy this beef stew recipe! Look for more beef recipes...