Slow-Cooked Beef with Amazonian Spices and Cassava Mash

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

Tender slow-cooked beef infused with aromatic Amazonian spices, served alongside creamy cassava mash for a hearty Brazilian-inspired meal. This Brazilian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 210 minutes, pairs beef chuck roast, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 190 min Serves 4 Brazilian cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck roast, searing until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 medium diced onion, sautéing for 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp dried oregano, cooking for 1 minute to release their aroma.
  4. Step 4: Return the beef to the pot, add 2 bay leaves, 2 cups beef broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook gently for 3 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, boil 1 lb peeled and chopped cassava in salted water for 20 minutes until tender. Drain well.
  6. Step 6: Mash the cassava with 3 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup milk until smooth and creamy, seasoning with a pinch of salt to taste.
  7. Step 7: Remove bay leaves from beef and shred the meat lightly with two forks. Serve the shredded beef over the cassava mash, spooning some cooking juices on top for extra flavor.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Beef with Amazonian Spices and Cassava Mash take to make?

Total time is about 210 minutes (20 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-Cooked Beef with Amazonian Spices and Cassava Mash?

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-Cooked Beef with Amazonian Spices and Cassava Mash?

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 with Amazonian Spices and Cassava Mash 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 with Amazonian Spices and Cassava Mash?

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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