Slow-Braised Beef with Black Beans and Collard Greens
Tender slow-braised beef cooked with traditional Brazilian black beans and accompanied by sautéed collard greens for a hearty, soulful meal. This brazilian-inspired beef ready in about 180 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, dried black beans, water 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 roast
- 1 cup dried black beans
- 6 cups water
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, chopped yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 bunch, stems removed and leaves sliced into 1-inch ribbons collard greens
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans and soak in water for 6 hours, then drain. Place soaked beans in a large pot with 6 cups fresh water, 1 bay leaf, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour until beans are tender but not mushy.
- Step 2: While beans cook, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck roast cut into 2-inch cubes and brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 large chopped yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot and pour in the cooked black beans with their cooking liquid. Add the remaining bay leaf. Cover and simmer on low heat for 2 hours until beef is tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 bunch sliced collard greens and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until greens are wilted but still bright green. Season with salt to taste.
- Step 6: Serve the slow-braised beef and black beans hot with sautéed collard greens on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Beef with Black Beans and Collard Greens take to make?
Total time is about 180 minutes (30 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 Slow-Braised Beef with Black Beans and Collard 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 beef chuck roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Braised Beef with Black Beans and Collard 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 Slow-Braised Beef with Black Beans and Collard Greens 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 Slow-Braised Beef with Black Beans and Collard Greens?
Brazilian 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.
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