Slow-Cooked Spanish Beef with Tomatoes and Garlic
Tender beef slow-cooked in a rich tomato and garlic sauce infused with smoky paprika for a comforting Spanish-inspired meal. This spanish-inspired beef ready in about 200 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, olive oil, large onion, diced 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
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes in batches, browning all sides for 5-7 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to a plate.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion and sauté for 7 minutes until softened and golden.
- Step 3: Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 2 tsp smoked paprika, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Return the beef to the pot and pour in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 1 cup beef broth. Stir in 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and add 2 fresh thyme sprigs.
- Step 5: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook gently for 2.5 to 3 hours until beef is fork-tender and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: Remove thyme sprigs before serving. Serve warm with crusty bread or rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Spanish Beef with Tomatoes and Garlic 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 Spanish Beef with Tomatoes and 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Spanish Beef with Tomatoes and 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-Cooked Spanish Beef with Tomatoes and 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-Cooked Spanish Beef with Tomatoes and Garlic?
Spanish 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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