Half-Pint Classic British Ale-Braised Beef Stew
Tender beef braised slowly in a half pint of rich British ale with root vegetables, creating a hearty and comforting stew. This british-inspired beef ready in about 145 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 520 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
- 1.5 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds carrots
- 2, sliced celery stalks
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 8 fl oz half pint British ale
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches for 4-5 minutes per batch until deeply caramelized. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced onion, 3 sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute more.
- Step 4: Pour in 8 fl oz half pint British ale, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze and loosen browned bits. Let the ale reduce for 3 minutes.
- Step 5: Return the beef to the pot and add 2 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 bay leaf, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 6: Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 2 hours until the beef is fork tender and the sauce thickens. Remove bay leaf and thyme stems before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Pint Classic British Ale-Braised Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 145 minutes (25 min prep + 120 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 Half-Pint Classic British Ale-Braised Beef Stew?
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 Half-Pint Classic British Ale-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 Half-Pint Classic British Ale-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 Half-Pint Classic British Ale-Braised Beef Stew?
British 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.
