Slow-Braised Beef with Garlic and Thyme

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

Tender beef slowly braised in a fragrant garlic and fresh thyme broth until melt-in-your-mouth soft. This French-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 205 minutes, pairs beef chuck roast, garlic cloves, fresh thyme sprigs 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 190 min Serves 6 French cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Pat 2 pounds beef chuck roast dry and season all over with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the beef roast on all sides until deep brown, about 4 minutes per side, then remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 medium sliced yellow onion, 6 smashed garlic cloves, and 2 medium carrots cut into 1-inch pieces to the pot; sauté for 5 minutes until onions are soft and garlic is fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Return the beef to the pot, add 2 cups beef broth and 4 sprigs fresh thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover with lid, then transfer to oven and braise for 3 hours until beef is fork-tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove the beef and vegetables from the pot, strain the braising liquid, and reduce over medium heat if desired to intensify flavor before serving alongside the beef.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Braised Beef with Garlic and Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 205 minutes (15 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 Garlic and Thyme?

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 Garlic and Thyme?

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 Garlic and Thyme 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 Garlic and Thyme?

French 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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