Cold Weather Braised Beef

Name: Cold Weather Braised Beef
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter; 1 pound sliced fresh mushrooms; 3 medium onions, halved and thinly sliced; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes; 2-1/2 cups water, divided; 2 cups beef broth; 1/2 cup dry red wine; 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce; 3 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper; Hot cooked mashed potatoes or noodles

Total Time Prep: 35 min. Bake: 2-1/2 hours

Yield 8 servings

Contest Winner

Test Kitchen Approved

This make-ahead braised beef recipe is so convenient. I prepare the ingredients, and just before baking, I pop them into the fridge for overnight. The next day, I let it bake while spending time with my family. The aroma of the beef while it's cooking will make your mouth water. —Vicki Christiansen, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
1 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
3 medium onions, halved and thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
2-1/2 cups water, divided
2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup dry red wine
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
Hot cooked mashed potatoes or noodles

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms and onions; cook and stir until softened, 5-7 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Spoon mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, reserving drippings in skillet.
In the same skillet over medium heat, brown beef in batches, adding more butter if necessary. Spoon browned beef over mushroom mixture in baking dish.
Add 2 cups water, broth, wine and soy sauce to skillet; increase heat to medium-high. Cook 1 minute, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and remaining 1/2 cup water until smooth. Gradually whisk into broth mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until slightly thickened, 1-2 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper. Pour over beef in baking dish.
Cover and bake until beef is almost tender, about 2 hours. Uncover and bake until beef is tender, 30-35 minutes. Serve over mashed potatoes or noodles.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 284 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 656mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein.

This make-ahead braised beef recipe is so convenient. I prepare the ingredients, and just before baking, I pop them into the fridge overnight. The next day, I let it bake while spending time with my family. The aroma of the beef while it's cooking will make your mouth water. —Vicki Christiansen, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Recipe Creator