Stout-Braised Beef with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms
A rich British-inspired stew featuring tender beef braised slowly in dark stout beer with pearl onions and mushrooms. This british-inspired beef ready in about 175 minutes pairs tablespoons olive oil, onions small pearl onions, peeled, ounces cremini mushrooms, halved for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 540 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 20 onions small pearl onions, peeled
- 12 ounces cremini mushrooms, halved
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 1 stalk celery stalk, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 12 ounces stout beer
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 leaf bay leaf
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds of beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 2: Remove the beef and set aside. In the same pot, add 20 peeled pearl onions, 12 ounces halved cremini mushrooms, 1 large diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk. Sauté for 6 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tablespoons tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 12 ounces stout beer, scraping the bottom of the pot to release browned bits, then add 2 cups beef broth, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 5: Return the beef to the pot, bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 2 to 2.5 hours until beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Step 6: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf before serving the stew hot with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stout-Braised Beef with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms take to make?
Total time is about 175 minutes (25 min prep + 150 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 Stout-Braised Beef with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms?
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 tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stout-Braised Beef with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms?
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 Stout-Braised Beef with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms 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 Stout-Braised Beef with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms?
British 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.
