Beef Carbonnade is a classic Belgian stew featuring succulent beef slow-cooked in dark beer with caramelized onions and a rich, flavorful gravy. Serve it with crusty bread or buttery mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort meal!
Ingredients
For the Beef Carbonnade:
✔ 2 lbs beef chuck (cut into 2-inch cubes)
✔ 2 tbsp butter
✔ 2 tbsp olive oil
✔ 3 large onions (thinly sliced)
✔ 2 tbsp brown sugar
✔ 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
✔ 2 cups dark Belgian beer (or any dark ale/lager)
✔ 1 cup beef broth
✔ 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
✔ 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
✔ 3 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
✔ 2 bay leaves
✔ Salt and black pepper (to taste)
For Serving:
✔ Crusty bread or mashed potatoes
✔ Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Sear the Beef
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Season the beef cubes with salt and black pepper, then sear them in batches until browned on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
2. Caramelize the Onions
- In the same pan, add sliced onions and cook over medium-low heat until soft and caramelized (about 15 minutes).
- Stir in brown sugar and cook for another 2 minutes.
3. Build the Flavor
- Sprinkle flour over the onions, stir well, and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly pour in the dark beer, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Add the beef broth, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.
4. Slow Cook to Perfection
- For Slow Cooker: Transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until the beef is tender.
- For Stovetop: Cover and simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve & Enjoy!
- Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs.
- Serve hot with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or buttered noodles.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy your rich Beef Carbonnade! 🍽️
Serving Ideas
🥖 Serve with warm French bread to soak up the sauce.
🥔 Pair with buttery mashed potatoes or egg noodles for a comforting meal.
🍺 Enjoy with a Belgian beer for an authentic touch!
Pro Tips
✔ Use a high-quality dark beer like Chimay, Guinness, or Leffe Brune for deep flavor.
✔ For extra richness, add a small piece of dark chocolate during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
✔ Make it ahead! This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.
This Beef Carbonnade is a slow-cooked masterpiece that’s perfect for a cozy dinner! 🥩🍺
