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Beef and Beer Belgian Stew (Carbonnades a la Flamande)

Manila Spoon
Slowly simmered in dark ale until the beef chunks are tender gives this stew such a delicious and robust flavor.
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Belgian, Belgium, European
Servings 6

Ingredients
 

  • 1 kilo (2.2 lbs) stewing beef pref. chuck steak or roast, cubed
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 12 oz bottle of dark Belgian beer or ale
  • 1 bouquet garni, (see note)
  • 2 tbsp vinegar pref. wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Liberally season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. You can also roll it in flour if you wish. I wanted a thinner stew with lots of sauce and also a gluten-free version so I didn’t bother with adding the flour.
  • Heat a deep pan like a Dutch oven. Melt the butter and oil using medium-high heat. Brown the cubed beef in batches to seal. Place the beef cubes in a large platter as you cook.
  • Saute the onions in the remaining fat in the pan until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or 2.
  • Return the meat to the pan and mix well with the onions and garlic. Pour in the beer. Add the bouquet garni, vinegar and brown sugar. Stir everything.
  • Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 – 2 hours or until the beef is fork-tender. Adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remove the bouquet garni. Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
  • Serve with fries, bread or rice! Pour all that yummy sauce on top!

Notes

 
TIPS & TRICKS
*Bouquet garni is a bundle of herbs usually tied together with a string or placed inside a small sachet and is cooked with the other ingredients but is removed before the food is served. The herbs may vary but the usual ones are thyme, bay leaves, and parsley. You can use fresh like the photo below or buy the dried ones in a sachet.
Keyword Beef and Beer Belgian Stew, beef flemish stew, belgian stew slow cooker, belgian stew stovetop or oven, bruges flemish stew, Carbonnades a la Flamande
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