Carbonnade Flamande: Beer-Braised Beef Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef braised in a rich, malty beer sauce with caramelized onions and Dijon, served with buttered egg noodles. This belgian-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes brings together Beef chuck, medium Yellow onion, Garlic for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. 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.

★ 3.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 150 min Serves 4 Belgian cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1.5 lbs beef chuck into 1-inch cubes and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side, then set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 medium thinly sliced yellow onions to the pot and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes until deeply caramelized. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour over the onions, stirring to combine. Add 1.5 cups dark Belgian beer and 1 cup beef broth, scraping up browned bits. Stir in 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves. Return beef to the pot, cover, and simmer on low heat for 2.5 hours until fork-tender.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Carbonnade Flamande: Beer-Braised Beef Stew take to make?

Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.

How do I store leftover Carbonnade Flamande: Beer-Braised Beef Stew?

Refrigerate any leftover carbonnade flamande: beer-braised beef stew in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.

Can I substitute ingredients in Carbonnade Flamande: Beer-Braised Beef Stew?

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 Carbonnade Flamande: Beer-Braised Beef Stew 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 Carbonnade Flamande: Beer-Braised Beef Stew?

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

Related recipes