Slow-Cooked Beef Picadinho with Garlic and Bay Leaves
A traditional Brazilian stew of tender beef simmered with garlic and bay leaves, perfect for a comforting family meal. This brazilian-inspired beef ready in about 135 minutes pairs pounds beef chuck, diced, garlic cloves, minced, leaves bay leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1.5 pounds beef chuck, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 pounds diced beef chuck to the pot, seasoning with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brown the beef on all sides for 5-6 minutes until golden.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup beef broth and 2 bay leaves, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Step 4: Remove bay leaves and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the stew before serving warm with rice or farofa.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Picadinho with Garlic and Bay Leaves take to make?
Total time is about 135 minutes (15 min prep + 120 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 Picadinho with Garlic and Bay Leaves?
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 pounds beef chuck, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Picadinho with Garlic and Bay Leaves?
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 Picadinho with Garlic and Bay Leaves for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Picadinho with Garlic and Bay Leaves?
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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