Poor Man's Baked Beef in Beer Sauce Belgian Style

Transport your taste buds to Belgium with "Poor Man's Baked Beef in Beer Sauce," a budget-friendly yet flavor-packed dish that transforms humble ingredients into a hearty masterpiece. Tender chunks of beef stew meat are slow-cooked in a rich, savory beer sauce made with dark Belgian beer, caramelized onions, Dijon mustard, and aromatic herbs like thyme and bay leaves. The dish achieves its depth of flavor through a gentle oven-braise, allowing the beer and beef stock to meld into a velvety sauce with a hint of sweetness from brown sugar. Perfect for cozy dinners, this Belgian-style comfort food pairs beautifully with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or crispy fries, making it a satisfying meal for the whole family. Whether you're a fan of beer-based recipes or classic European cuisine, this dish combines simplicity and sophistication in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams beef stew meat
• 2 medium onions
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 330 milliliters beer (dark Belgian or similar)
• 250 milliliters beef stock
• 2 tablespoons mustard (Dijon or grainy)
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).

Step 2

Pat the beef stew meat dry with paper towels and season with salt and black pepper.

Step 3

Heat the butter and vegetable oil in a large, ovenproof pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Step 4

Sear the beef pieces in batches until they are browned on all sides, then transfer them to a plate and set aside.

Step 5

Lower the heat to medium, and in the same pot, add the onions. Sauté until they are soft and lightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 6

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 7

Stir in the brown sugar and all-purpose flour, mixing well to coat the onions and create a light roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes.

Step 8

Gradually pour in the beer, stirring constantly to deglaze the bottom of the pot and remove any browned bits.

Step 9

Add the beef stock, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, bay leaves, and thyme. Stir to combine.

Step 10

Return the seared beef to the pot, ensuring the meat is submerged in the liquid.

Step 11

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover the pot and transfer it to the preheated oven.

Step 12

Bake for 2 hours, stirring halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Step 13

Remove from the oven and discard the bay leaves. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Step 14

Serve the beef and beer sauce hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Pair with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or fries.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1428.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2010.5

Total Fat 113.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 45.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9.2g
Cholesterol 515.8mg	0%
Sodium 2984.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 66.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.6g	0%
Total Sugars 32.9g
Protein 139.5g	0%

Vitamin D 4.5IU	0%
Calcium 231.7mg	0%
Iron 16.1mg	0%
Potassium 2327.3mg	0%

*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: 55.3%

Protein: 30.2%

Carbs: 14.5%