Description
Belgian-Style Beef Stew (Carbonnade Flamande) Tender beef in a rich, dark ale and onion sauce—comfort food at its finest!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5–2 inch chunks
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp flour (for dusting)
- 2 tbsp butter & 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 ½ cups dark Belgian ale (or stout/porter)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 2 sprigs fresh)
- Optional garnish: fresh parsley
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Pat beef dry, season with salt & pepper, then dust lightly with flour. Heat butter & olive oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add beef in batches, searing until deep brown on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
- Caramelize the Onions: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add onions to the pot, sprinkle with salt, and cook 10–15 min until soft and golden-brown. Add garlic and brown sugar; cook 1–2 min until fragrant.
- Deglaze & Build the Sauce: Stir in Dijon mustard. Pour in dark ale, scraping the bottom to lift browned bits. Add beef broth, red wine vinegar, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Slow Cook: Return beef and juices to the pot. Liquid should almost cover meat. Cover with lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently 2.5–3 hours until beef is tender and sauce is glossy. Adjust salt & pepper. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Notes
- Chuck is perfect for slow cooking—rich marbling ensures tender, flavorful meat.
- For non-alcoholic version, substitute beer with 1 cup beef broth + ½ cup unsweetened apple or prune juice + 1 tbsp red wine vinegar.
- Gluten-free? Use GF flour and check mustard & broth labels.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2.5 to 3 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Belgian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Belgian Style Slow Cooked, Beef Stew, Carbonnade Flamande