Braised beef with a thick, gravy-like sauce, with mushrooms, leeks, carrots and other vegetables, served over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes. This is the dish to have on a cold winter evening. So comforting, so delicious, it will make you forget about the snow and the cold. Make sure you make enough as I am sure many of you will run for seconds.
Similar to my braised chicken recipe, this recipe does not require thickening of the sauce after braising. Seriously, who wants to do that after 3 hours of patiently waiting and drooling? You want to open the lid of the braising pan and start devouring that braised beef asap.
In this recipe, I make a simple roux that will thicken the broth before braising. I love the simplicity of this method and the excellent results I’ve been getting with it. There may be some separation during cooking so make sure to give that sauce a quick stir when serving. That’s all.
This braised beef must be eaten with mashed potatoes. Rice, quinoa, buckwheat, pasta – all will go well it, but mashed potatoes and this beef are a match made in heaven. Try this garlic mashed potatoes recipe, it’s fantastic.
Braised Beef with Gravy-Like Sauce and Vegetables
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 2 1/2 lbs beef (e.g. chuck, shanks or brisket, cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 3 cups button mushrooms (rinsed, whole)
- 4 carrots (medium, peeled and cut into large pieces)
- 2 leeks (white and light green parts only, sliced 1/4" thick)
- 1 vidalia onion (large, peeled and chopped)
- 4 shallots (peeled and cut in halves)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 garlic heads (optional)
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth (or beef stock, heated)
- 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (plus more to taste)
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Chopped fresh herbs (for garnish)
Instructions
- Start preheating the oven to 350F.
- If you like garlic and want to add a couple of full heads, it's a creamy deliciousness once cooked, do as follows. Remove as much loose skin as you can. Cut off about a quarter to one third from one end. Garlic heads will go in the braising pan later, while some of the cut off pieces can be used in this recipe in place of the two required garlic cloves and the rest can be saved for other uses.
- Heat the olive oil with two tablespoons of butter in a braising pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef and brown on all sides. Remove the meat from the braising pan and set aside.
- Add the onions, mushrooms, shallots, carrots and leeks. Saute until the vegetables are slightly softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and continue sauteing for another minute.
- Add the remaining two tablespoons of butter and let it melt, while constantly stirring. Turn the heat down to low. Have the broth ready. Add the flour and stir briskly until it is fully incorporated. Pour in the broth, turn the heat up to medium high and let the liquid mixture come up to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, constantly stirring, until the mixture starts to thicken. It shouldn't take long, less than a minute. Remove from heat.
- Add the pepper and nutmeg, stir, then salt to taste. Stir in the red wine vinegar. The sauce may taste a little too tart right after you add the vinegar, but it will be perfect by the time it's done cooking.
- Nestle beef pieces and garlic heads, if using, in the sauce, spreading them out evenly. If using, place the garlic bulbs cut side up. Garlic smell can be quite strong, so add those bulbs only if you love garlic and have a good ventilation in the kitchen. If you place it cut side down, the sauce will get infused with garlic too much.
- Cover and braise in the oven at 350F for 3-4 hours. I think the beef only gets better if cooked a little longer.
- Serve with freshly made mashed potatoes, garnish with chopped fresh herbs, and enjoy.
