Belgian Beef Carbonade with Caramelized Onions
A rich, beer-infused beef stew with sweet caramelized onions and root vegetables, inspired by Brussels' historic brasseries. This belgian-inspired beef ready in about 150 minutes pairs bone-in beef chuck, large (400 g) onions, medium (250 g) carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg bone-in beef chuck
- 4 large (400 g) onions
- 3 medium (250 g) carrots
- 3 stalks (80 g) celery stalks
- 500 ml Belgian pale ale
- 4 medium (300 g) potatoes
- 1 tbsp (5 g) thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp (5 g) salt
- 1 tsp (5 g) pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 4 diced onions (1/2-inch cubes) and sauté for 8 minutes until golden and tender.
- Step 2: Add 3 chopped carrots and 3 sliced celery stalks. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Step 3: Season with 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, and 1 tbsp thyme. Add 1.5 kg beef chuck, breaking into 1-inch cubes, and cook for 5 minutes until browned.
- Step 4: Pour in 500 ml Belgian pale ale, bring to a simmer, and add 2 bay leaves. Cook for 1.5 hours, skimming foam.
- Step 5: Stir in 300 g peeled potatoes and 400 g caramelized onions (sautéed in 2 tbsp butter until sticky). Simmer for 30 minutes until tender.
- Step 6: Season with additional pepper and serve with crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Belgian Beef Carbonade with Caramelized Onions take to make?
Total time is about 150 minutes (30 min prep + 120 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Belgian Beef Carbonade with Caramelized Onions?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in beef chuck from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Belgian Beef Carbonade with Caramelized Onions?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Belgian Beef Carbonade with Caramelized Onions for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Belgian Beef Carbonade with Caramelized Onions?
Belgian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order belgian delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
