Flemish Beef Stew

Dive into the rich, comforting flavors of Flemish Beef Stew, a classic Belgian dish that combines tender, slow-cooked beef with the deep, malty notes of Belgian-style dark beer. This hearty stew is simmered to perfection with caramelized onions, garlic, thyme, and a touch of brown sugar, creating a perfectly balanced blend of savory and slightly sweet flavors. Deglazed with apple cider vinegar and accented with Dijon mustard, the sauce becomes irresistibly luscious and complex. Ideal for chilly evenings, this stew pairs beautifully with crusty bread or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up every last drop of its delicious sauce. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, Flemish Beef Stew is a soul-warming, crowd-pleasing dish that will transport your taste buds straight to Belgium.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:150 mins

Total Time:170 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch chunks
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups beef stock
• 1.5 cups Belgian-style dark beer (e.g., dubbel or ale)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 fresh thyme sprigs
• 4 crusty bread slices (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Season the beef chunks with salt and black pepper, then dust them lightly with the all-purpose flour.

Step 2

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the butter and vegetable oil. In batches, sear the beef on all sides until browned. Remove the beef and set it aside.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to medium. In the same Dutch oven, add the sliced onions and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden brown.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and brown sugar to the onions. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and caramelized.

Step 5

Deglaze the pot with apple cider vinegar, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot.

Step 6

Return the seared beef to the pot. Add the beef stock, dark beer, Dijon mustard, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Bring the stew to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.

Step 8

Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs before serving.

Step 9

Serve hot with slices of crusty bread or alongside mashed potatoes, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2416.3 grams (2416.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3740

Total Fat 233.20g	299%
Saturated Fat 89.80g	449%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9.20g
Cholesterol 746mg	249%
Sodium 6901mg	300%
Total Carbohydrate 185.90g	68%
Dietary Fiber 10.70g	38%
Total Sugars 28.70g
Protein 206.10g	412%

Vitamin D 5IU	23%
Calcium 343mg	26%
Iron 32mg	177%
Potassium 3606mg	77%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.2%

Protein: 22.5%

Carbs: 20.3%