Slow-Cooked Beef and Mushroom Ragout with Red Wine
Rich and tender slow-cooked beef pieces simmered with mushrooms and red wine, creating a comforting ragout perfect for cozy Australian dinners. This australian-inspired beef ready in about 200 minutes pairs beef chuck, cubed, button mushrooms, sliced, large (about 150 g) chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 800 g beef chuck, cubed
- 250 g button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 large (about 150 g) chopped onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup (240 ml) dry red wine
- 2 cups (480 ml) beef stock
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 whole bay leaf
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp (optional for thickening) cornstarch
- 2 tbsp (for slurry) cold water
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-based pot over medium-high heat. Add 800 g beef chuck cubes seasoned with 1 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp salt. Brown the beef in batches for 4-5 minutes until deeply caramelized on all sides; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until it darkens slightly.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup dry red wine and deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 3 minutes until wine reduces by half.
- Step 5: Return the beef to the pot along with 250 g sliced button mushrooms, 2 cups beef stock, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 2.5 to 3 hours until beef is very tender.
- Step 6: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf. To thicken the sauce, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water to form a slurry, then stir into the ragout and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Step 7: Adjust seasoning with 1/2 tsp salt if needed and serve hot with mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef and Mushroom Ragout with Red Wine take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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-Cooked Beef and Mushroom Ragout with Red Wine?
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, cubed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef and Mushroom Ragout with Red Wine?
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-Cooked Beef and Mushroom Ragout with Red Wine 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-Cooked Beef and Mushroom Ragout with Red Wine?
Australian 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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