Rich Flemish Beef Stew with Brown Ale
Immerse yourself in the heart of Flemish cuisine with this hearty and flavorful beef stew. Slow-cooked to perfection in a crock pot, tender chunks of bottom round steak are complemented by earthy mushrooms, vibrant carrots, and a touch of spice from caraway seeds. The infusion of brown ale or a robust dark beer adds a deep, rich flavor that elevates this dish, making it an instant favorite for family gatherings or cozy nights in. Perfect for meal prep, this stew becomes even tastier the next day, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Enjoy with crusty bread or over creamy mashed potatoes for a truly satisfying meal!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Canola oil
4 teaspoons (divided)
Bottom round steaks
2 lbs (trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch cubes)
Cremini or white button mushrooms
3/4 lb
All-purpose flour
3 tablespoons
Brown ale or dark beer
2 cups
Carrots
4 large (peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces)
Onion
1 large (chopped)
Garlic
1 clove (minced)
Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons
Caraway seed
1 teaspoon
Salt
3/4 teaspoon
Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (freshly ground)
Bay leaf
1
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 teaspoons of canola oil.
2
Add half of the cubed beef and brown on all sides, turning frequently for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a 6-quart crock pot.
3
Drain any excess fat from the skillet, then add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil and brown the rest of the beef, transferring it to the crock pot once finished.
4
Return the skillet to medium heat and add the cremini or white button mushrooms. Cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms release their liquid and it evaporates, resulting in a glaze, about 5–7 minutes.
5
Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms, cooking undisturbed for 10 seconds, then stir and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
6
Pour in the brown ale or dark beer, bringing the mixture to a boil while whisking constantly. Allow it to thicken and bubble for about 3 minutes.
7
Pour the mushroom mixture into the crock pot with the beef.
8
Add the chopped carrots, onion, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, caraway seeds, salt, freshly ground pepper, and bay leaf. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
9
Cover the crock pot and cook on low until the beef becomes very tender, approximately 8 hours.
10
Before serving, discard the bay leaf and give the stew a gentle stir to combine.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rich Flemish Beef Stew with Brown Ale?
It is a hearty and flavorful slow-cooked beef stew featuring tender bottom round steak, earthy mushrooms, and carrots, all infused with the deep flavor of brown ale or dark beer.
What cut of beef is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 lbs of bottom round steaks, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch cubes.
Can I use different types of mushrooms?
Yes, you can use either cremini or white button mushrooms for this stew.
What type of beer should be used?
A brown ale or any robust dark beer is recommended to provide the rich, deep flavor characteristic of Flemish cuisine.
How long does the stew cook in the crock pot?
The stew should be cooked on the low setting for approximately 8 hours until the beef is very tender.
Is it necessary to brown the beef before slow cooking?
Yes, browning the beef in a skillet for about 5 minutes per batch adds significant flavor and color to the final dish.
What setting should my slow cooker be on?
The recipe is designed to be slow-cooked on the low setting.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe provides 8 servings.
What should I serve with this Flemish beef stew?
It is best enjoyed with crusty bread or served over creamy mashed potatoes.
Can I make this stew ahead of time?
Absolutely! This stew is perfect for meal prep because the flavors meld and improve when stored and reheated the next day.
What size crock pot is needed?
A 6-quart crock pot is recommended for this quantity of ingredients.
How do I prepare the carrots?
The carrots should be peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces.
What is the purpose of adding flour to the mushrooms?
Flour is added to create a roux-like base that thickens the sauce once the beer is added and brought to a boil.
What spices give this stew its unique flavor?
The unique flavor comes from a combination of caraway seeds, Dijon mustard, garlic, and a bay leaf.
Should I remove the bay leaf before serving?
Yes, you should discard the bay leaf before giving the stew a final stir and serving.
How do I cook the mushrooms in the skillet?
Cook the mushrooms over medium heat until they release their liquid and it evaporates, creating a glaze, which takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
What kind of oil is used for browning the meat?
The recipe uses 4 teaspoons of canola oil, divided for browning the beef in two separate batches.
Can I use a different mustard?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard to provide a specific tang that complements the beer.
How much beer is required?
You will need 2 cups of brown ale or dark beer.
How many carrots are used?
The recipe uses 4 large carrots.
What should the texture of the beef be like when finished?
After 8 hours on low, the beef should be very tender.
Is there garlic in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 clove of minced garlic.
How much caraway seed should I add?
Use 1 teaspoon of caraway seed for this stew.
Does this recipe include salt and pepper?
Yes, it uses 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper.
How large should the beef cubes be?
The beef should be cut into 1-inch cubes.
Should I drain the fat from the skillet?
Yes, the instructions say to drain any excess fat from the skillet between browning the first and second batches of beef.
How long should the beer mixture boil?
Allow the beer and mushroom mixture to thicken and bubble for about 3 minutes while whisking constantly.
Can I substitute caraway seeds?
While caraway provides a traditional flavor, you could omit them if you don't enjoy the taste, though the flavor profile will change.
Is this recipe suitable for freezing?
Yes, beef stews generally freeze well, making this a great option for long-term meal planning.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 ingredients in total used to make this Rich Flemish Beef Stew.