French Beef Daube Provençale
A rustic French stew with braised beef, tomatoes, and herbs, served with crusty bread. This french-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs beef chuck, tomatoes, olive 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck
- 4 tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp thyme
- 1 tbsp rosemary
- 3 cloves garlic
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cut into 1-inch cubes, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding, and sear until the edges are deeply browned and crispy, about 8-10 minutes per side. Tip: Use tongs to flip the meat and avoid stirring too early — this helps develop a caramelized crust.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp fresh thyme, and 1 tbsp chopped rosemary. Sauté until the garlic is fragrant and the herbs are aromatic, about 2-3 minutes. Tip: Add the herbs after the garlic to prevent burning, as rosemary can become bitter if overcooked.
- Step 3: Dice 4 ripe tomatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Add them to the pot along with 2 cups beef broth (if using) to cover the meat, then bring to a gentle simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Tip: Skim any foam that rises during simmering for a clearer broth, and season with salt and pepper just before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does French Beef Daube Provençale 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 French Beef Daube Provençale?
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 beef chuck from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in French Beef Daube Provençale?
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 French Beef Daube Provençale 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 French Beef Daube Provençale?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made this for a dinner party and it was a hit. Served with crusty bread and a green salad.
- ★★★★★
The depth of flavor was incredible. I used a mix of beef cuts for extra texture.
- ★★★★★
Slow-cooked to perfection. The tomatoes and herbs made it feel like a rustic French bistro.
