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Beef Carbonnade (Belgian Beer-Braised Beef Stew)

A traditional Belgian beef stew slow-cooked with dark beer, caramelized onions, and herbs for a rich, comforting meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Belgian, European
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

  • 900 g beef chuck cut into cubes
  • 3 large onions thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp mustard Dijon or whole-grain
  • 330 ml dark Belgian beer
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon
  • Chef knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Season beef with salt and pepper and brown in butter in a Dutch oven. Remove and set aside.
  2. Caramelize onions in the same pot until deeply golden.
  3. Stir in brown sugar and mustard, then deglaze with beer.
  4. Return beef to pot, add stock, bay leaves, and thyme.
  5. Cover and simmer on low for 2.5–3 hours until tender.
  6. Adjust seasoning, rest briefly, and serve hot.

Notes

Tastes even better the next day.