Dive into the splendid taste of a Hearty Beef Tzimmes, a traditional Jewish dish that's been amped up with savory beef and a variety of vibrant veggies. This one-pot dish is a symphony of flavors guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out.
While most ingredients in this recipe are common in any grocery store, you might need to look a bit for dried apricots and prunes which are usually found in the dried fruits section. Also, fresh rosemary and thyme leaves are essential for the depth of flavor in this dish, but if you can't find them fresh, dried ones would work too.
Hearty Beef Tzimmes Essential Ingredients
Beef chuck: The heart of this recipe, it provides rich, meaty flavor that gets even better as it cooks.
Yellow onions: Adds a sweet and savory depth to the dish.
Garlic: Gives a pungent kick, an essential in most dishes.
Balsamic vinegar: Its sweet-tart flavor enhances the other ingredients.
Tomato paste: Deepens the flavor with its umami-rich taste.
Orange juice: Adds a touch of tangy sweetness.
Beef broth: Forms the base of the gravy, adding depth and richness.
Rosemary and Thyme leaves: These herbs bring a fragrant and earthy flavor.
Brown sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory elements.
Carrots: Gives a sweet, earthy flavor and hearty texture.
Dried Apricots: These bring a sweet-tart element to the dish.
Sweet potatoes: Adds a sweet, creamy element that contrasts well with the savory beef.
Prunes: Adds a natural sweetness and a bit of texture.
One reader, Farr Kohl says:
This hearty beef tzimmes recipe is a game-changer! The beef is so tender and flavorful, and the combination of sweet and savory with the apricots and prunes is just divine. The aroma while it's cooking is mouthwatering. It's a perfect comfort food for a cozy family dinner.
Cooking Techniques for Hearty Beef Tzimmes Recipe
How to brown the beef: Pat the beef dry and season with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Place half of the beef in the pan and brown, turning with tongs, for about 5 minutes; add the remaining oil and brown the remaining beef. Transfer the meat to a large plate and set aside.
How to cook the stew: Add the onions, garlic, and balsamic vinegar to the pot; cook, stirring with a wooden spoon and scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan, for about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute more. Add the beef with its juices back to the pan and sprinkle with the flour. Stir with the wooden spoon until the flour is dissolved, about 1 minute. Add the orange juice, water, beef broth, bay leaf, rosemary, thyme, and sugar. Stir to loosen any brown bits from the bottom of the pan and bring to a boil. Cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 2 hours.
How to finish the stew: Add the carrots and apricots. Cover and continue cooking for 30 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes and prunes and cook for 30 minutes more, or until all the vegetables and meat are tender. Fish out the bay leaf and rosemary sprigs and discard. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the stew or let it come to room temperature and then store in the refrigerator overnight or until ready to serve. Reheat, covered, over medium heat until hot throughout. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves.
How to freeze the stew: The stew can be frozen for up to 3 months. Omit the sweet potatoes because they don’t freeze well. If you’d like, boil some sweet potatoes separately when you defrost the stew and either add them into the stew prior to serving or serve them on the side. Defrost the stew in the refrigerator for 24 hours before you plan to serve it and then reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until hot.
In Jewish cooking, a tzimmes means a casserole, which is very similar to a stew. It is also understood as Yiddish for “a big fuss” due to the large amount of chopping and mixing required. Check out the other Jewish recipes you can try.
How To Make Beef Tzimmes
Beef tzimmes is a traditional Jewish beef & vegetable stew with dried fruits, giving the dish a sweet-savory profile that you’ll definitely be craving for.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 3lbsbeef chuck,boneless, cut into 1½-inch pieces
- 2tspsalt
- 1tspblack pepper,freshly ground
- 3tbspolive oil
- 2medium yellow onions,cut into 1-inch chunks
- 5large cloves garlic,peeled and smashed
- 2tbspbalsamic vinegar
- 1tbsptomato paste
- ¼cupall purpose flour
- ½cuporange juice
- ½cupwater
- 4cupsbeef broth
- 1bay leaf
- 2sprigsfresh rosemary
- 4tspfresh thyme leaves,divided
- 1tbspbrown sugar
- 4large carrots,peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks on a diagonal
- ½cupdried apricots
- 1lbsweet potatoes,peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- ½cupprunes
Instructions
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Pat the beef dry and season with the salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot, heat 1½ tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering.
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Place half of the beef in the pan and brown, turning with tongs, for about 5 minutes; add the remaining oil and brown the remaining beef. (To sear the meat properly, let the meat develop a nice brown crust before turning with tongs.)
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Transfer the meat to a large plate and set aside.
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Add the onions, garlic, and balsamic vinegar to the pot; cook, stirring with a wooden spoon and scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan for about 5 minutes.
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Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute more. Add the beef with its juices back to the pan and sprinkle with the flour. Stir with the wooden spoon until the flour is dissolved.
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Add the orange juice, water, beef broth, bay leaf, rosemary, 2 teaspoons of thyme, and the sugar. Stir to loosen any brown bits from the bottom of the pan and bring to a boil.
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Cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 2 hours.
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Add the carrots and apricots. Cover and continue cooking for 30 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes and prunes and cook for 30 minutes more, or until all the vegetables and meat are tender.
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Fish out the bay leaf and rosemary sprigs and discard. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
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Serve the stew or let it come to room temperature and then store in the refrigerator overnight or until ready to serve.
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Reheat, covered, over medium heat until hot throughout. Garnish with the remaining fresh thyme leaves.
Nutrition
- Calories: 586.91kcal
- Fat: 18.36g
- Saturated Fat: 5.64g
- Trans Fat: 0.57g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 10.75g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.58g
- Carbohydrates: 52.73g
- Fiber: 6.89g
- Sugar: 23.55g
- Protein: 56.18g
- Cholesterol: 142.88mg
- Sodium: 1373.93mg
- Calcium: 127.24mg
- Potassium: 1956.07mg
- Iron: 7.10mg
- Vitamin A: 974.72µg
- Vitamin C: 21.04mg
Crucial Technique for Perfecting Beef Tzimmes
When browning your beef chuck, it's important to give each piece enough space in the pan. Crowding the pan can cause the meat to steam rather than sear, preventing that desirable brown crust from forming. If necessary, brown the meat in batches to ensure each piece has enough room to sear properly. This will enhance the flavor of your beef tzimmes.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Tzimmes
Prepare the ingredients: Gather and prepare all the ingredients and equipment needed before starting the cooking process to streamline the recipe.
Use pre-cut vegetables: Save time by using pre-cut vegetables, such as pre-chopped onions and pre-sliced carrots, to reduce prep work.
Utilize a slow cooker: Consider using a slow cooker for this recipe to allow for hands-off cooking and tenderizing the beef while you attend to other tasks.
Make ahead and freeze: Prepare the tzimmes in advance and freeze it for a convenient meal option on busy days.
Invest in a pressure cooker: Use a pressure cooker to significantly reduce the cooking time while still achieving tender and flavorful results.
Multi-task: Look for opportunities to multi-task, such as chopping vegetables while the meat is browning, to make the most of your time in the kitchen.
Substitute Ingredients For Beef Tzimmes Recipe
beef chuck - Substitute with lamb shoulder: Lamb shoulder has a similar rich and hearty flavor that works well in slow-cooked dishes like tzimmes.
balsamic vinegar - Substitute with red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar provides a tangy acidity similar to balsamic vinegar, adding depth of flavor to the dish.
all purpose flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can be used as a thickening agent in place of flour, and it's gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
orange juice - Substitute with apple juice: Apple juice offers a slightly sweet and fruity flavor that complements the other ingredients in the tzimmes.
beef broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used as a flavorful alternative to beef broth, especially for those looking for a vegetarian option.
sweet potatoes - Substitute with butternut squash: Butternut squash has a similar sweet and creamy texture, adding a delicious twist to the tzimmes recipe.
prunes - Substitute with dried figs: Dried figs offer a sweet and chewy texture similar to prunes, enhancing the overall sweetness of the dish.
Presentation Tips for Serving Beef Tzimmes
Elevate the plating: Carefully arrange the tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and plump prunes in an artful and visually appealing manner on the plate. Consider using the rich, flavorful sauce to create a beautiful and appetizing presentation.
Garnish with fresh thyme leaves: Sprinkle a few fresh thyme leaves over the dish to add a pop of color and a hint of freshness to the hearty beef tzimmes.
Serve in individual cast-iron pots: For a rustic and elegant presentation, consider serving the beef tzimmes in individual cast-iron pots, allowing the guests to enjoy the aroma and warmth of the dish as it is presented at the table.
Use a drizzle of balsamic reduction: Create an elegant finishing touch by drizzling a small amount of balsamic reduction around the edge of the plate, adding a touch of sweetness and acidity to complement the flavors of the dish.
Incorporate edible flowers: Add a touch of sophistication by incorporating delicate and colorful edible flowers as a garnish, enhancing the visual appeal of the dish and adding a subtle floral note.
Serve with a side of horseradish cream: Present the beef tzimmes with a dollop of creamy horseradish cream on the side, offering a contrasting flavor and texture to complement the richness of the stew.
Use vintage-style dinnerware: Consider serving the hearty beef tzimmes in vintage-style dinnerware to create a nostalgic and charming presentation, adding a touch of elegance to the dining experience.
Sprinkle with toasted almond slices: Add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor by sprinkling the dish with lightly toasted almond slices, enhancing both the texture and visual appeal of the beef tzimmes.
Present with a side of artisanal bread: Accompany the beef tzimmes with a selection of freshly baked artisanal bread, allowing guests to savor the rich sauce and soak up the flavors with each delicious bite.
Use a drizzle of honey: For a touch of sweetness and a beautiful finishing touch, consider drizzling a small amount of honey over the beef tzimmes, adding a subtle layer of complexity to the dish.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Tzimmes
Dutch oven: A heavy-duty pot with a tight-fitting lid, perfect for slow-cooking stews and braising meats.
Tongs: Essential for flipping and turning the beef while searing to ensure even browning.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring and scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pot while cooking the onions, garlic, and balsamic vinegar.
Soup pot: A large, deep pot suitable for cooking soups, stews, and stocks.
Food processor: Useful for chopping or pureeing ingredients such as garlic, onions, or herbs.
Mixing bowl: Needed for combining the flour with the beef and for mixing various ingredients before adding them to the pot.
Storing and Freezing Hearty Beef Tzimmes
To store the hearty beef tzimmes in the refrigerator, let it cool to room temperature first. Once cooled, transfer the stew to an airtight container and place it in the fridge. It will keep well for up to 4 days, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify over time. When ready to serve, reheat the stew gently on the stovetop over medium heat until it's heated through.
If you plan to freeze the beef tzimmes, it's best to omit the sweet potatoes as they don't freeze well. Prepare the stew as directed, but leave out the sweet potatoes. Let the stew cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or resealable bags. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the containers with the date and contents, and freeze for up to 3 months.
When you're ready to enjoy the frozen beef tzimmes, transfer it to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Once thawed, you can either add the stew to a pot and reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat, or place it in a covered dish and warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. If you'd like to include sweet potatoes, boil them separately and add them to the reheated stew before serving.
To ensure the best quality and flavor, consider portioning the beef tzimmes into individual serving sizes before freezing. This way, you can easily thaw and reheat only what you need, without having to defrost the entire batch. It's also a great option for quick and easy meals on busy weeknights.
How To Reheat Leftover Beef Tzimmes
The best way to reheat leftover hearty beef tzimmes is to use the stovetop method. Simply transfer the desired portion into a pot or Dutch oven and heat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it's heated through. This method allows the flavors to meld together even more and ensures that the beef and vegetables are evenly heated.
Another option is to reheat the stew in the microwave. Place the desired portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap (leaving a small vent for steam to escape), and heat it on high power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval, until it's heated through. While this method is quicker, it may result in slightly uneven heating.
If you have a lot of leftover tzimmes, you can also reheat it in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), transfer the stew to an oven-safe dish, cover it with a lid or aluminum foil, and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until it's heated through. Stir the stew halfway through the reheating process to ensure even heating.
Regardless of the reheating method you choose, be sure to reheat the tzimmes until it's steaming hot throughout to ensure that it's safe to eat. Use a food thermometer to check that it has reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).
If you find that the stew has thickened too much upon reheating, you can thin it out with a splash of beef broth, water, or orange juice until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed before serving.
Interesting Fact About Beef Tzimmes
The beef tzimmes recipe is a traditional Jewish dish that combines sweet and savory flavors, often served during Rosh Hashanah and other holidays. It is a hearty and comforting stew that features a combination of beef, sweet potatoes, dried fruits, and aromatic herbs. This dish has its origins in Eastern European Jewish cuisine and has been passed down through generations. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, creating a rich and satisfying meal. It's a perfect dish for bringing family and friends together to enjoy a delicious and meaningful meal.
Is Making Beef Tzimmes at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this hearty beef tzimmes recipe is quite high. While the initial investment in ingredients may seem significant, the resulting stew yields a large quantity and can be stretched over multiple meals. The combination of beef chuck, vegetables, and dried fruits creates a hearty and satisfying dish. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $30-$40, making it an economical option for a delicious and nourishing meal. Overall Verdict: 9/10
Is Beef Tzimmes a Healthy Dish?
The hearty beef tzimmes recipe is a relatively healthy dish, thanks to its inclusion of nutrient-dense ingredients like carrots, sweet potatoes, and dried fruits. The beef provides a good source of protein, while the vegetables offer fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, there are a few aspects that could be improved to make it even healthier:
- The recipe calls for a significant amount of beef, which can be high in saturated fat. Reducing the portion size of beef and increasing the proportion of vegetables would improve the overall nutritional balance.
- The use of olive oil for browning the meat adds some healthy fats, but the quantity could be reduced to lower the overall calorie content.
- The recipe includes added sugar in the form of brown sugar, which could be omitted or reduced to minimize extra calories from sweeteners.
To further enhance the nutritional value of this dish, consider the following suggestions:
- Increase the variety and quantity of vegetables, such as adding parsnips, turnips, or celery root to boost the fiber and nutrient content
- Use a leaner cut of beef, such as sirloin or tenderloin, to reduce the amount of saturated fat
- Experiment with adding more aromatic herbs and spices, like cinnamon, cumin, or coriander, to enhance the flavor without relying on added sugars or excessive salt
- Serve the stew alongside a portion of whole grains, such as brown rice or quinoa, to provide additional fiber and complex carbohydrates
Editor's Opinion on This Beef Tzimmes Recipe
The hearty beef tzimmes recipe is a delightful blend of savory and sweet flavors, creating a rich and comforting stew. The combination of tender beef, aromatic herbs, and sweet dried fruits results in a dish that is both satisfying and full of depth. The cooking method allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, making it a perfect make-ahead meal. The addition of balsamic vinegar and orange juice adds a delightful tanginess, balancing the sweetness of the apricots and prunes. Overall, this recipe is a wonderful choice for a hearty and flavorful meal that will surely impress your guests.
Why trust this Beef Tzimmes Recipe:
This hearty beef tzimmes recipe is a delicious and comforting dish that has been carefully crafted to bring out the rich flavors of the beef chuck, orange juice, and prunes. The combination of savory and sweet ingredients, such as balsamic vinegar and brown sugar, creates a harmonious balance that will tantalize your taste buds. With the addition of aromatic herbs like rosemary and thyme, this recipe promises to deliver a hearty and satisfying meal that you can trust to impress your family and friends.
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