Slow-Braised Beef with Smoky Tomato and Roasted Garlic

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Tender beef slowly braised in a rich smoky tomato sauce with sweet roasted garlic and herbs, perfect for comforting dinners. This mediterranean-inspired beef ready in about 210 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, olive oil, whole 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 195 min Serves 6 Mediterranean cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Place 8 whole garlic cloves on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: While garlic roasts, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 2 lbs beef chuck roast with 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 2 tsp smoked paprika, then sear the beef for 4-5 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms.
  3. Step 3: Remove beef and set aside. In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add 1 tsp dried oregano and 1 tsp dried thyme and cook for 1 minute more.
  4. Step 4: Add 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 2 cups beef broth to the pot, scraping up browned bits. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins and stir into the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Return the beef to the pot, cover with a lid, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 3 hours until the beef is fork-tender and the sauce thickens.
  6. Step 6: Remove beef and shred with forks. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Serve the shredded beef with the smoky tomato sauce spooned over it.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Braised Beef with Smoky Tomato and Roasted Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 210 minutes (15 min prep + 195 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 Smoky Tomato and Roasted Garlic?

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 Smoky Tomato and Roasted Garlic?

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 Smoky Tomato and Roasted Garlic 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 Smoky Tomato and Roasted Garlic?

Mediterranean 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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