Tasty Tuesday Finnish Beef Stew

beef

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork

Chicken is leaner and often less expensive than beef.

red wine

🥗Healthier: grape juice

💰Cheaper: cooking wine

Grape juice adds sweetness without alcohol.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier and can be more cost-effective.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Vegetable broth reduces calories and can be homemade.

Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.

Season beef stew meat with salt and pepper, then brown in batches in the Dutch oven.

Remove browned beef and set aside, keeping the juices.

Add chopped bacon to the pot and cook until nearly crispy.

Add sliced onions to the bacon drippings and cook until limp, about 10 minutes.

Stir in brown sugar and cook for a minute.

Add flour to the onions and bacon, cooking briefly to avoid burning.

Return the browned beef to the pot along with its juices.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Add beef broth, dark stout beer, balsamic vinegar, thyme, and bay leaves to the pot.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: