Carbonnade
Carbonnade is a dish that comes from Belgium and the north of France. Large pieces of beef are slowly simmered in beer with carrots and onions. Here's a personal version.
2 hours 45 min.
Easy
12 people
8 IngredientsLast modified on: November 13th 2011
2 litres beef
4 
4 
10 tablespoons 
4 tablespoons 
2000 ml beer
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 35 min.
Cooking: 2 hours 15 min.
All in all: 2 hours 45 min.
To finish around 7pm, you'll need to have started before: 16:50.Change end time
Step by step recipe
Stage 1 - 10 min.
Cut 2 litres beef into large cubes.
Stage 4 - 10 min.
Pour 10 tablespoons olive oil into a large heavy-based pan on high heat.
When hot, add the pieces of meat and fry until browned on each side (do not salt, as this will bring out the juices, which will stop them browning).
When browned, remove the meat from the pan and transfer to a plate to wait.
When hot, add the pieces of meat and fry until browned on each side (do not salt, as this will bring out the juices, which will stop them browning).
When browned, remove the meat from the pan and transfer to a plate to wait.
Stage 5 - 2 min.
Use the same pan, which should now contain just a little fat, and fry the chopped onions with salt and pepper for 1 or 2 minutes, stirring from time to time.
Stage 7 - 1 min.
Add the diced carrots.
Stage 8 - 3 min.
Add 2000 ml beer, then salt and pepper.
Stage 9 - 2 hours
Turn the heat down to minimum and leave to simmer for about 2 hours...
Stage 10
...until the beer has reduced to make a thick and tasty sauce. At the same time the meat will have become very well cooked tender.
Remarks
For the beer, I advise you to use a dark beer which will give stronger flavour.
In the so-called "Flemish" carbonnade, a little brown sugar or a slice of gingerbread spread with mustard is added to the dish. But, I don't feel that either is necessary.
For more flavour, you can add a beef stock cube.
Carbonnade is one of those dishes, like boeuf bourguignon for example, which is even better when it is reheated.
In the so-called "Flemish" carbonnade, a little brown sugar or a slice of gingerbread spread with mustard is added to the dish. But, I don't feel that either is necessary.
For more flavour, you can add a beef stock cube.
Carbonnade is one of those dishes, like boeuf bourguignon for example, which is even better when it is reheated.
And to drink?
The same beer as you add to the dish - a Belgian beer, of course!
I prefer "Mort-Subite" Geuze ("sudden death"!), but you can use a dark beer like Chimay, or a British-style mild or strong ale.
I prefer "Mort-Subite" Geuze ("sudden death"!), but you can use a dark beer like Chimay, or a British-style mild or strong ale.
Keeping: Several days in the fridge in a sealed container.
Source: Home made.
Nutritional information
| Proteins (gr) | Carbohydrates (gr) | Fats (gr) | Energy value (in k-calories) | Energy value (in k-joules) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole recipe | 360 RDI=140 % | 170 RDI=20 % | 550 RDI=80 % | 7,090 RDI=350 % | 29,670 RDI: 350 % |
| Per 100 g | 10 RDI=4 % | 4 RDI=0 % | 20 RDI=2 % | 200 RDI=10 % | 860 RDI: 10 % |
| Per person | 30 RDI=10 % | 10 RDI=1 % | 50 RDI=7 % | 590 RDI=30 % | 2,470 RDI: 30 % |
How much will it cost?
- For 12 people : 14.05 €
- Per person : 1.20 €
Change currency: 
Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
This recipe uses (among others)
Beer
Like these other recipes: Gratin du Nord, Endive and beer soup, Welsh (French Welsh Rarebit), Ch'ti mussel tarts, ... See them all 4
Beef
Like these other recipes: How to cook red meat properly, Upside-down Parmentier, Boeuf (beef) bourguignon, How to slow cook meat, Taos hotpot, ... See them all 10
Olive oil
Like these other recipes: Tomato sauce (with fresh tomatoes), Veal with mushrooms and green asparagus, Beetroot salad with cashew nuts, Fish fillet with leeks and mustard cream, Lumberjack turnovers, ... See them all 520
Carrot
Like these other recipes: Cured Pork Belly With Lentils, Fisherman's Ragout, Sautéed Pork with Peanuts, Coleslaw, Creamy risotto with vegetables , ... See them all 68
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