Slow-Braised Beef with Florida Citrus and Herbs
Tender beef slow-braised in a fragrant broth of fresh Florida citrus and aromatic herbs, perfect for a comforting dinner. This american-inspired beef ready in about 210 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 3 medium, sliced carrots
- 2, sliced celery stalks
- 1, zested and juiced Florida orange
- 1, juiced Florida lime
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck roast and sear on all sides for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned.
- Step 2: Remove beef and add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in zest and juice of 1 Florida orange and juice of 1 Florida lime, scraping brown bits from the bottom. Add 3 cups beef broth, 4 fresh thyme sprigs, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Return beef roast to the pot, cover tightly with lid, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 3 hours, or until beef is fork-tender and sauce has reduced slightly.
- Step 5: Remove beef and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf from sauce. Serve beef with spoonfuls of the citrus-infused braising liquid.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Beef with Florida Citrus and Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 210 minutes (20 min prep + 190 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 Florida Citrus and Herbs?
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 Florida Citrus and Herbs?
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 Florida Citrus and Herbs 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 Florida Citrus and Herbs?
American 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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