Apple Cider Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 1/2 cups apple cider
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 large bay leaf
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, cubed
• 2 onions, diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 large McIntosh apple, sliced

Directions

1. Combine flour, salt, pepper, and thyme in a bowl. Toss beef cubes in the flour mixture.
2. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown beef cubes on all sides. Combine browned meat, apple cider, water, and cider vinegar in the pot and bring it to a boil. Add bay leaf; reduce heat to low. Simmer, partially covered, for 1 hour.
3. Stir in carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, and apple and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 1 hour more.