Fall Comfort Foods: Heartwarming Family Favorites from Carson Valley Meats
As the crisp autumn air rolls in and the leaves start to turn, we love gathering around the table with family and friends to enjoy comforting, homemade meals. Fall is the perfect time to break out those hearty, soul-warming recipes that fill your home with the smell of slow-cooked meats and seasonal spices, especially as we dig into our winterizing chores!
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Here are some of our favorite fall recipes from our kitchen, along with family stories and perfect pairings to elevate each dish.
Crock Pot Autumn Beef Stew
Few things say “fall” like a slow-cooked beef stew, and this Crock Pot Autumn Beef Stew is a classic in our family. Made with our high-quality beef stew meat, thick-cut bacon, and a hearty mix of potatoes, rutabaga, and carrots, this dish has become a staple on chilly fall nights. The apple cider adds a subtle sweetness that balances perfectly with the savory beef broth, while rosemary and bay leaves infuse the stew with rich autumnal flavors.
Cut of Meat: Stew meat is a perfect choice for slow cooking. As the stew simmers, the collagen in the meat breaks down, creating a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The addition of bacon also adds a smoky depth to the dish.
Family Pairing: My grandmother used to serve this stew with crusty sourdough bread for dipping, and we keep that tradition alive. Pair it with a side of Caraway Charcuterie’s Herb & Cheese Sourdough for an unbeatable combination of flavors. For an even heartier meal, serve the stew alongside our Cheese & Garlic Biscuits.
Dutch Oven Classic Beef Chili
This Classic Beef Chili is perfect for feeding a crowd—whether it’s for a Sunday football game or a casual family gathering. Our ground beef is the star of the show, paired with a blend of chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper for that perfect kick. The slow simmering process allows all the flavors to meld together, creating a rich and satisfying dish.
Cut of Meat: We recommend using our ground beef, which has just the right amount of fat to make the chili flavorful without being greasy. See what Hungry Hearts NV says about our ground beef! This chili can easily be made in advance and tastes even better the next day.
Family Pairing: My dad always served chili with a side of cornbread and sharp cheddar cheese. To keep with tradition, I recommend topping your chili with shredded cheddar and a dollop of sour cream. A side of Caraway Charcuterie Rustic Herb and Cheese Sourdough also makes for a perfect pairing with this hearty dish.
Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
This Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is the ultimate comfort food for a cozy fall evening. Made with our pasture-raised chicken thighs and filled with hearty vegetables like celery, carrots, and kale, this dish is a wholesome family favorite. The wild rice adds texture, while fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme infuse the broth with earthy flavors. The finishing touch of half-and-half gives it a creamy richness that’s irresistible.
Cut of Meat: We use chicken thighs for this recipe because they stay moist and flavorful throughout the cooking process. Unlike chicken breasts, thighs hold up well to the long cooking time and impart a deeper flavor to the soup.
Family Pairing: My mother always served this soup with a side of simple, warm rolls. For an upgrade, pair it with Tillie Spears Pickled Asparagus for a delightful contrast, or serve it with Cheese & Garlic Biscuits for a truly indulgent experience.
Beef Heart Stew
For the more adventurous eater, this Beef Heart Stew is a surprisingly tender and flavorful dish. While beef heart may seem intimidating, it is incredibly nutritious and, when cooked correctly, offers a unique depth of flavor. This slow-cooked stew is made with a variety of spices like cumin, paprika, and oregano, resulting in a savory, earthy dish that’s perfect for fall.
Cut of Meat: Beef heart is a lean cut of meat that, when slow-cooked, becomes tender and succulent. It absorbs the flavors of the broth and spices beautifully, making it a perfect choice for a hearty stew.
Family Pairing: My grandmother always encouraged us to try different cuts of meat, and beef heart was one of her favorites. We love serving this stew over rice or with Cheese & Garlic Biscuits to soak up the rich sauce, or with a side of roasted root vegetables for a full fall feast.
Top Off the Experience: For a perfect finish, pair with a rich Pinot Noir!
Pressure-Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce
No fall meal is complete without a touch of sweetness, and this Pressure-Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce is the perfect way to end your meal. Made with a blend of sweet and tart apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this applesauce is simple yet full of flavor. It’s a great side dish for savory meals like roast pork, or can be enjoyed as a light dessert on its own.
Family Pairing: My aunt always served this applesauce alongside roast pork, and it was always a crowd favorite. Try pairing it with CVM Pork Chops (check out our half pig share options for custom cuts of pork!) for a classic fall meal. Or, use it as a topping for pancakes and waffles for a cozy weekend breakfast.
Cheese & Garlic Biscuits
Tasty, flaky and easy, our Cheese & Garlic Biscuits are a fall comfort food must-have. These buttery, cheesy biscuits are packed with flavor, thanks to garlic powder, ranch dressing mix, and shredded sharp cheddar. They bake up golden brown and fluffy in just minutes, making them the perfect side for any meal.
Family Pairing: Growing up, we always had these biscuits on the table during fall. My dad loved to use them to soak up the last bit of stew or chili. Pair them with any of the above recipes, or simply serve them warm with Tillie’s Nevada Garlic & Herb Dipping Oil for a snack.
Fall is a time for gathering with loved ones and savoring the warm, comforting flavors of the season. At Carson Valley Meats, we’re proud to provide the high-quality meats that make these heartwarming meals possible. Whether you’re cooking up a classic stew, chili, or an adventurous dish like beef heart, we have the perfect cuts for all your fall comfort food needs.
Easy Bone Broth from Leftover Roasted Chicken
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There’s something inherently satisfying about making bone broth. It’s simple, nourishing, and a fantastic way to make sure nothing goes to waste. Our Easy Bone Broth recipe comes straight from the heart of our kitchen, where we never let the carcass of a roasted chicken go unused. It’s a tradition in our home to save the bones after a hearty chicken dinner and turn them into a rich, collagen-packed broth that can be used in soups, stews, or even sipped on its own.
Family Story: Growing up, my grandmother would always roast a whole chicken on Sundays, and while the meal itself was delicious, it was the promise of bone broth that made the whole family excited for the week ahead. She would simmer the bones for hours, filling the house with the aroma of savory herbs and rich chicken stock. We always knew that when it got cold outside, we’d have a mug of warm broth waiting for us after school or work.
Bone broth has many health benefits including collagen to help support joints and skin, amino acids to support gut health, high-quality protein, and some electrolytes. Bone broth can be high in sodium, so make sure you’re watching your sodium intake.
Cut of Meat: For this recipe, we use the bones and carcass from a whole roasted chicken, specifically our Carson Valley Meats Whole Fryer Chicken. The leftover bones, including the wings and legs, are essential for extracting the maximum flavor and nutrients. The apple cider vinegar breaks down the collagen, making the broth rich and nutritious, while any leftover herbs like rosemary or lemon add depth.
Pairings: This bone broth is a versatile base for countless fall dishes. Use it to make hearty soups, stews, or even as a cooking liquid for grains like quinoa or rice.Serve a steaming mug on its own for a comforting, nutritious treat that soothes the soul on chilly days or add it to your favorite recipes.
Fall Pumpkin Bars
No fall gathering is complete without something sweet, and these Fall Pumpkin Bars are always a hit. Made with real pumpkin puree and topped with a spiced cream cheese frosting, they are the perfect dessert for any autumn occasion. Soft, moist, and filled with the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin spice, these bars bring out the best in seasonal baking.
Family Story: My mother made these pumpkin bars for every family gathering in the fall. She’d bake a big batch the day before Thanksgiving, and we’d enjoy them all weekend long. The smell of pumpkin, cinnamon, and warm spices would fill the house, signaling that the holidays were right around the corner. As kids, we couldn’t wait for that first bite—especially with the tangy, creamy frosting on top.
Cut of Meat: While there’s no meat in these bars, we can’t forget about the quality of the eggs that go into the recipe. We use Carson Valley Meats’ Farm Fresh Eggs to give these pumpkin bars the fluffiness and structure they need. These farm-fresh eggs add a richness that store-bought eggs simply can’t match, making the bars extra moist and delicious.
Pairings: These pumpkin bars are the perfect end to a fall meal. We love serving them after a savory dish like Dutch Oven Classic Beef Chili or Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. The balance of sweet and spicy complements the rich, hearty flavors of your main courses. You can also enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee or apple cider for a sweet snack on a crisp fall afternoon.
Why We Love These Recipes
These recipes represent the heart of fall comfort food cooking: resourcefulness, flavor, and comfort. The bone broth is a reminder of how we can use every part of an animal to create something nourishing, while the pumpkin bars evoke a sense of tradition and family gatherings. Whether you’re warming up with a steaming bowl of chili or stew, or indulging in cinnamon applesauce, these recipes are meant to bring warmth and joy to your home.
At Carson Valley Meats, we believe in honoring the land, animals, and traditions that make our meals so special. These fall comfort foods remind us of the importance of slowing down, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying the simple pleasures that come with the changing seasons.
Explore our product offerings and bring the flavors of fall into your own home with these heartwarming recipes. Whether you’re gathering for a big family dinner or simply enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, these dishes are sure to bring comfort to your table.
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