Lucky Dog Tex-Mex Beef And Bean Stew

Prep Time15 minutes
Active Time6 hours
Course: Soup

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker/Crock Pot

Materials

  • 6 ounces uncooked bacon
  • 1 lb chuck roast cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 carrot finely diced
  • 1 celery rib finely diced
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 12 ounces Somerset Ridge Lucky Dog Hard Cider
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans drained or 2 cups cooked black beans
  • 1 15-ounce can pinto beans drained or 2 cups cooked pinto beans
  • 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes preferably fire roasted
  • 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • Sour cream for serving

Instructions

  • In a large cast-iron skillet, on medium-high heat, cook the bacon until just beginning to crisp, about 8 minutes, turning once.
  • With a slotted spatula, remove the bacon, leaving the grease in the skillet.
  • When cool enough to handle, crumble the bacon and place it in a 6-quart slow cooker.
  • Meanwhile, add the beef to the skillet and while occasionally stirring, cook on medium-high heat until browned.
  • With a slotted spatula, remove the beef and place into the slow cooker.
  • Add to the skillet the onion, carrot, and celery, and while occasionally stirring, cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 more seconds.
  • Take the vegetables and add them to the slow cooker.
  • Pour the Lucky Dog into the skillet, swirl around, scraping the bottom of the skillet to get all the browned bits, and the pour it into the slow cooker.
  • Add to the slow cooker the beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, cilantro, bay leaf, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
  • Cover the pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours or until everything is well blended, tender, and good.
  • Alternatively, you can cook it in a covered Dutch oven or pot in the oven at 325°F for 3-4 hours.
  • Before serving, taste and adjust seasonings. Then stir in the lime juice.
  • Serve topped with sour cream.