Pale Ale-Braised Beef with Bitter Greens

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Rich beef braised slowly in a British-style pale ale, complemented by the distinct bitterness of sautéed radicchio and kale for depth and balance. This british-inspired beef ready in about 180 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch cubes beef chuck roast, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 160 min Serves 4 British cuisine 550 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season 2 lbs of beef chuck cubes with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Brown the beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply caramelized; remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Return the beef to the pot, pour in 12 oz of pale ale beer, and scrape any browned bits off the bottom. Add 2 cups beef broth and 3 sprigs of fresh thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover, and braise in a 325°F oven for 2.5 hours until the beef is tender.
  4. Step 4: While beef braises, melt 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 small sliced radicchio, and 4 cups chopped kale. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until the greens are wilted but retain a slight bitterness.
  5. Step 5: Serve the tender pale ale-braised beef over a bed of the sautéed bitter greens for a hearty, layered flavor experience.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pale Ale-Braised Beef with Bitter Greens take to make?

Total time is about 180 minutes (20 min prep + 160 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 Pale Ale-Braised Beef with Bitter Greens?

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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pale Ale-Braised Beef with Bitter Greens?

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 Pale Ale-Braised Beef with Bitter Greens 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 Pale Ale-Braised Beef with Bitter Greens?

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.

Related recipes