Classic French Beef Daube with Aromatic Herbs and Red Wine
A traditional French Provençal stew of slow-braised beef simmered in a fragrant red wine sauce infused with garlic, herbs, and vegetables. This french-inspired beef ready in about 230 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes, dry red wine, large yellow onion, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 570 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
- 2.5 lb beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 3 cups dry red wine
- 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 5 cloves garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 strip orange zest strip
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 2.5 lb beef chuck cubes in a large bowl with 3 cups dry red wine, 1 sliced large yellow onion, 2 peeled and chunked carrots, 5 crushed garlic cloves, 4 sprigs fresh thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1 strip orange zest, 1 tsp whole black peppercorns, and 1 tbsp tomato paste. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Step 2: Remove beef from marinade, pat dry with paper towels, and reserve the marinade with vegetables.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef cubes in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply caramelized. Set browned beef aside.
- Step 4: Add reserved marinade and vegetables to the pot along with 1 cup water and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom to release browned bits.
- Step 5: Return beef to the pot and cover tightly. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 3 to 3 1/2 hours until beef is fork-tender and sauce is rich and silky.
- Step 6: Remove orange zest, bay leaves, and thyme stems before serving. Adjust seasoning and serve hot with crusty bread or buttered noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic French Beef Daube with Aromatic Herbs and Red Wine take to make?
Total time is about 230 minutes (20 min prep + 210 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 Classic French Beef Daube with Aromatic Herbs and Red Wine?
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 dry red wine from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic French Beef Daube with Aromatic Herbs and Red Wine?
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 Classic French Beef Daube with Aromatic Herbs and Red Wine 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 Classic French Beef Daube with Aromatic Herbs and Red Wine?
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.
