This melt-in-your-mouth braised beef is the definition of cozy comfort food: beef chunks slow-braised under a blanket of sweet onions until they turn impossibly tender, with garlic, a pinch of sugar, and black pepper rounding out the rich flavor. It’s a simple one-pot dinner that tastes like it took all day. For more hearty meat dishes, try our Hearty Beef Salad with Corn and Walnuts or the Baked Napa Cabbage Rolls with Meat and Creamy Garlic Sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) beef (chuck or shin), cut into chunks
- 400 g (14 oz) onions, finely chopped
- 50 ml (3 tbsp + 1 tsp) water
- A few knobs of butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs for serving
Instructions
- Place the beef chunks in a dry heavy skillet or Dutch oven. Spread the chopped onion evenly over the meat.
- Add a few knobs of butter on top, cover with a lid, and bring to a boil over high heat. Then reduce to low and braise for 1 hour.
- After an hour, add the salt, sugar, garlic, and pepper. Stir and braise 1 more hour until meltingly tender.
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs before serving.
Tips
- Use chuck or shin — tougher cuts with plenty of connective tissue become the most tender when braised low and slow.
- Don’t rush the second hour; the beef needs the full time to turn meltingly soft.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day. Find more beef cooking guidance at USDA and Serious Eats.
Nutrition per 100 g: 180 kcal, protein 22 g, fat 5.3 g, carbs 9.9 g.