Carbonnade Flamande: Traditional Belgian Beef Stew with Beer

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty, slow-simmered beef stew with caramelized onions, dark Belgian beer, and a hint of mustard, evoking the cozy charm of a Brussels brasserie. This belgian-inspired beef ready in about 180 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck, all-purpose flour, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 3.9 (14 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 Belgian cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 2 lbs beef chuck cubes dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, and 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, tossing to coat evenly.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef cubes in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until browned, then remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add sliced onions to the pot and cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and golden brown.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, then pour in 1 cup Belgian beer and 1 cup beef broth. Add 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 bay leaf, and 1 tsp thyme.
  6. Step 6: Return beef to the pot, cover tightly, and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 2.5-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is fork-tender.
  7. Step 7: Remove bay leaf. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot over buttered egg noodles or crusty bread.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Carbonnade Flamande: Traditional Belgian Beef Stew with Beer take to make?

Total time is about 180 minutes (30 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 Carbonnade Flamande: Traditional Belgian Beef Stew with Beer?

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 all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Carbonnade Flamande: Traditional Belgian Beef Stew with Beer?

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: Traditional Belgian Beef Stew with Beer 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 Carbonnade Flamande: Traditional Belgian Beef Stew with Beer?

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