Sablon Brasserie Carbonnade
A refined beef and beer stew simmered to tender perfection with Flemish ale, caramelized onions, and herbs, served with a side of crispy fries. This belgian-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs (680g) beef chuck, olive oil, large, finely chopped yellow onion 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs (680g) beef chuck
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, finely chopped yellow onion
- 2, peeled and diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 12 oz (355ml) Flemish strong ale
- 1/2 cup (120ml) red wine
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp, leaves only fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1.5 cups (360ml) beef broth
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the beef chuck cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the Dutch oven. Cook the chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery for 5-6 minutes until softened and golden, stirring occasionally. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, then sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly for 1 minute to cook off the raw taste.
- Step 4: Return the seared beef to the pot. Pour in the Flemish strong ale and red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the thyme, bay leaves, and beef broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2.5 hours until the beef is fork-tender, skimming excess fat if needed.
- Step 5: Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot with crispy Belgian fries.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sablon Brasserie Carbonnade 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 Sablon Brasserie Carbonnade?
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 (680g) beef chuck from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sablon Brasserie Carbonnade?
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 Sablon Brasserie Carbonnade 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 Sablon Brasserie Carbonnade?
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
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★☆☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.