Slow-Cooked Beef Picadinho with Tropical Citrus

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-03 · Updated 2026-06-03

A comforting Brazilian stew featuring tender beef cubes simmered with tomatoes and brightened by fresh lime and orange zest. This Brazilian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, olive oil, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 lb beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp fresh lime zest
• 1 tsp fresh orange zest
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb beef chuck cubes and sear for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor. Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, stirring to combine.
4. Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot and pour in 1 cup beef broth. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender.
5. Step 5: Remove the lid, add 1 tsp fresh lime zest and 1 tsp fresh orange zest, stir well, and cook uncovered for 10 more minutes to thicken the sauce.
6. Step 6: Finish by stirring in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Adjust seasoning as needed and serve warm over white rice or farofa.