Soy Free Beef and Onion Stew with Pomegranate Braise
Rich, slow-braised beef has a way of making any evening feel like a special occasion, and this pomegranate version delivers that kind of depth in a way that's genuinely hard to forget. The sweet-tart punch of pomegranate juice mingles with apple cider vinegar, warm Ceylon cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger to create a braise that's complex without being fussy. Caramelized onions — cooked low and slow until golden and silky — form the aromatic backbone of the whole dish, and the bone broth keeps everything luscious and deeply savory. One of the quiet wins here is the use of coconut aminos in place of traditional soy sauce, which means you get that same umami depth without any soy in sight. It's the kind of swap that's seamless — you'd never know anything was missing. The arrowroot slurry at the end pulls the braising liquid into a glossy, spoon-coating sauce that clings to every piece of fork-tender beef. Whether you serve it over rice, mashed root vegetables, or just with crusty bread to soak up the sauce, this stew is the definition of low-effort, high-reward cooking.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 lb beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, divided
- 3 large yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups bone broth
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ceylon cinnamon
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
- 2 tbsp cold water
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season all over with the sea salt.
- 2
Heat 2 tablespoons of the coconut oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in two batches to avoid crowding, add the beef in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 3–4 minutes per side, until a deep brown crust forms and the pieces release easily from the pot. Transfer the seared beef to a plate and repeat with the remaining batch.
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