Carbonade Flamande with Fries
A classic Belgian dish—tender beef simmered in beer with caramelized onions, perfect with golden fries!
📋 Ingredients (serves 4):
- 1 kg (2.2 lbs) beef chuck or stewing beef, cut into large cubes
- 3 onions, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 50g (3.5 tbsp) butter
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 bouquet garni (thyme, bay leaf, parsley)
- 500ml (2 cups) dark beer (e.g., Chimay, Leffe, or any brown ale)
- 200ml (¾ cup) beef broth
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
👨🍳 Directions:
Step 1: Sear the beef
In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and brown them well on all sides. Season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle the flour over the meat. Stir to coat evenly.
Step 2: Add onions and garlic
Add the sliced onions and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for about 5–7 minutes until the onions become soft and slightly caramelized.
Step 3: Deglaze and build flavor
Pour in the red wine vinegar to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits. Add the brown sugar, mustard, bouquet garni, dark beer, and beef broth. Stir to combine everything.
Step 4: Simmer low and slow
Cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender and the sauce is rich and thick.
🍟 Serve with:
Freshly made Belgian-style fries or mashed potatoes. Don’t forget a dollop of mustard on the side for that authentic touch!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hrs 20 min
Servings: 4
Perfect for: Cozy dinners, winter meals, or impressing guests with something different!
