Beef and cherries? It’s an unexpected—but delicious—combination that comes together beautifully in a slow cooker using cubed beef, butternut squash, dark cherries, sliced onion, and diced tomatoes for a tender, flavor-packed Beef with Butternut Squash and Cherries.

It’s amazing how rich gravies and sauces form while the meat gently simmers. This comforting Beef with Butternut Squash and Cherries dish is ideal for a cozy dinner, taking around 5 hours and 20 minutes to prepare, serving up to 6 people.

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Recipe Ingredients

• 12 oz (336 g) frozen dark cherries
• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, quartered, and thinly sliced
• 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup (60 g) dried, juice-sweetened tart cherries
• 1 ¼ lbs (568 g) cubed stew beef
• 1 can (14 oz or 392 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tbsp (30 g) quick-cooking tapioca
• 2 tsp tart cherry or apple butter, unsweetened, optional
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

How To Make Beef With Butternut Squash and Cherries

1. Prepare Your Slow Cooker: Place the frozen dark cherries at the bottom of your slow cooker, followed by the thinly sliced butternut squash and onion. Scatter the dried tart cherries on top, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Finally, add the cubed stew beef on top of the vegetable and fruit layer. Make sure the beef pieces are spread evenly across the slow cooker.
2. Mix Your Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the diced tomatoes with their juices, quick-cooking tapioca, tart cherry or apple butter (if using), salt, black pepper, and ground cinnamon. Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure the spices and tapioca are evenly distributed throughout the sauce. This will create a flavorful base for the dish.
3. Pour the Sauce Over the Beef: Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the beef in the slow cooker, making sure all the ingredients are well-coated. This will allow the flavors to meld together as they cook. If needed, gently press down the beef to ensure it’s mostly submerged in the sauce.
4. Set Your Slow Cooker and Let It Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low heat for 5 to 6 hours, or on high heat for 4 to 5 hours. The goal is to have the beef cooked through, tender but still moist, while the butternut squash turns soft and absorbs the flavors from the sauce.
5. Check for Doneness and Serve: Once the cooking time is up, check the beef and squash for doneness using a fork. The beef should be fork-tender, and the squash should be soft without falling apart. Give everything a gentle stir to combine, then serve this hearty dish warm.

Recipe Tips

• Use smoked paprika: add a small amount of smoked paprika to the sauce mixture to introduce a mild smoky flavor, which enhances the beef’s richness without overpowering the sweetness of the cherries.
• Add diced sweet potatoes: add small cubes of sweet potatoes along with the butternut squash to create a more filling dish with an added layer of sweetness and vibrant color.
• Swap the apple butter with balsamic vinegar: replace tart cherry or apple butter with a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar to introduce a tangy depth to the sauce that pairs beautifully with the beef and cherries.
• Add cooked quinoa before serving: stir in cooked quinoa at the end of cooking to turn this dish into a complete meal, increasing the protein content and giving a satisfying texture to the stew.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Slow Cooker Recipes:

• Slow-braised Pork Shoulder with Cider & Parsnips
• Squash & Venison Tagine
• Lamb & Dauphinoise Hotpot