Braised Beef Chuck with Root Vegetables and Red Wine Reduction
Tender chunks of beef chuck slowly braised with carrots, onions, and celery in a rich red wine sauce, perfect for a comforting dinner. This french-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes, medium carrots, peeled and chopped, large yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 540 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes seasoned with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Sear the beef for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply browned on all sides, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 chopped medium carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until the paste darkens slightly and becomes aromatic.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup dry red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze and release browned bits. Simmer for 5 minutes until the wine reduces by half.
- Step 5: Return the seared beef to the pot and add 2 cups beef broth, 3 fresh thyme sprigs, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 2 1/2 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
- Step 6: Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot with the root vegetables and rich red wine sauce spooned over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Beef Chuck with Root Vegetables and Red Wine Reduction take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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 Braised Beef Chuck with Root Vegetables and Red Wine Reduction?
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 large yellow onion, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Beef Chuck with Root Vegetables and Red Wine Reduction?
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 Braised Beef Chuck with Root Vegetables and Red Wine Reduction for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Braised Beef Chuck with Root Vegetables and Red Wine Reduction?
French 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.