Description
This meltingly tender beef recipe is the ultimate comfort food for cozy family dinners and hearty homemade meals. Slow-cooked beef cubes simmer in a rich savory gravy until they become unbelievably soft and flavorful. Served over creamy mashed potatoes, buttery noodles, or fluffy rice, this easy dinner recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with simple ingredients and classic cooking techniques. Perfect for weeknight dinner ideas, Sunday suppers, meal prep, or comforting cold-weather meals, this dish combines juicy beef, rich brown gravy, and deep savory flavor in every bite. Whether you are searching for easy comfort food recipes, slow-cooked beef ideas, or hearty food ideas for the whole family, this recipe is guaranteed to satisfy.
Ingredients
2 ½ pounds beef chuck roast, cut into cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons cold water
1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
3 carrots, chopped (optional)
2 celery stalks, sliced (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish
Mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for serving
Instructions
1. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Toss the beef with flour until lightly coated.
2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
3. Brown the beef in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deeply caramelized. Transfer the browned beef to a plate.
4. Add chopped onion to the same pot and cook until softened and lightly golden. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
5. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
6. Pour in a small amount of beef broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
7. Add the remaining beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
8. Return the beef to the pot along with any juices.
9. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 2 to 2½ hours until the beef becomes fork-tender.
10. Add optional vegetables during the final 45 minutes of cooking if desired.
11. Mix cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl until smooth.
12. Stir the slurry into the simmering gravy and cook until thickened.
13. Remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning to taste.
14. Serve the meltingly tender beef over mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
Brown the beef in batches to develop deep rich flavor and prevent steaming.
Cook the beef low and slow for the most tender melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Taste the gravy before serving and adjust seasoning for the best balanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Simmer / Braising
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 125mg