Belgian Beer Beef Stew (Carbonnade Flamande)

Name: Belgian Beer Beef Stew (Carbonnade Flamande)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1.2 kg beef chuck or stewing beef, cut into 5 cm cubes; 700 g yellow onions, thinly sliced; 200 g smoked bacon, diced; 750 ml dark Belgian beer (e.g., Dubbel or Tripel); 500 ml beef broth; 2 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 2 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 pcs bay leaves; 4 sprigs fresh thyme; null to taste salt; null to taste freshly ground black pepper

Difficulty

medium

Time

3h 30m

Price Category

average

Calories

Medium

Carbonnade Flamande is a rich and flavorful Belgian beef stew, traditionally made with dark Belgian beer, onions, and mustard. It's slow-cooked for hours until the beef becomes incredibly tender and the flavors meld into a deep, savory sauce. This hearty dish is perfect for cold days and is often served with crispy fries or creamy mashed potatoes. Prepare this classic Belgian comfort food and enjoy the authentic taste it brings to your kitchen!

Steps

Sear the Beef

Pat the beef dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt and pepper. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil and butter over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches on all sides until golden brown, then remove and set aside on a plate.

Cook Bacon and Onions

In the same pot, cook the diced bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside. In the remaining fat, add the thinly sliced onions and sauté over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 10-15 minutes until soft and caramelized.

Combine and Simmer

Return the seared beef and cooked bacon to the pot with the onions. Stir in the brown sugar, bay leaves, and fresh thyme. Pour in the dark Belgian beer and beef broth, then stir in the Dijon mustard. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 2.5-3 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender. Check occasionally and add a little more broth if needed.

Serve

Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Serve hot, traditionally with crispy fries, mashed potatoes, or fresh crusty bread.

	Per 100g	Per Serving 250g
Calories	280 kcal	700 kcal
Protein	25g	62.5g
Fat	15g	37.5g
Carbohydrate	8g	20g
Fiber	1g	2.5g
Sugar	3g	7.5g

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Belgian Beer Beef Stew (Carbonnade Flamande)

Difficulty

Time

Price Category

Calories

ingredients

Steps

Sear the Beef

Cook Bacon and Onions

Combine and Simmer

Serve

Extra Tips

► Don't rush searing the beef! A good golden-brown crust is key to developing deep flavors.

► Use a good quality dark Belgian beer, as it's the soul of this dish. Avoid overly bitter or light beers.

► The stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors fully meld. It's ideal for making ahead!

Nutrition