Braised Beef Caramelized Onion

Featured in: Slow Cozy Dinners

Experience melt-in-the-mouth beef chunks slowly braised to tender perfection in a luscious caramelized onion gravy. This dish combines sweet, deeply browned onions with aromatic herbs and red wine for complexity. The rich sauce coats the beef beautifully, making it an ideal comforting main course. Serve hot with soft mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful gravy. The technique emphasizes slow cooking for full flavor development and a tender texture.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 08:00:00 GMT
Tender braised beef with caramelized onion gravy served over creamy mashed potatoes.  Save to Pinterest
Tender braised beef with caramelized onion gravy served over creamy mashed potatoes. | savoringli.com

Tender beef slowly braised until melt-in-the-mouth, served with a rich, deeply flavored caramelized onion gravy—perfect for a comforting dinner.

I remember making this for a cozy family dinner where everyone gathered around the table savoring every bite–a true comfort food favorite.

Ingredients

  • Beef: 1.2 kg (2.5 lb) beef chuck roast or brisket, cut into large chunks, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • Vegetables: 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced, 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • Braising Liquid & Gravy: 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour), 250 ml (1 cup) dry red wine, 500 ml (2 cups) beef stock, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf
  • Finishing: 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional), Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 160°C (325°F).
Season Beef:
Season beef chunks with salt and pepper.
Brown Beef:
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef on all sides in batches—transfer to a plate.
Caramelize Onions:
Reduce heat to medium. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until deeply golden and caramelized, about 20 minutes.
Add Vegetables:
Add carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes until fragrant.
Cook Tomato Paste & Flour:
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over vegetables, stir, and cook for 2 minutes.
Add Wine:
Gradually pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes.
Add Stock & Herbs:
Add beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. Return beef to pot along with any juices.
Braise:
Bring to a simmer, cover, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2–2½ hours, or until beef is fork-tender.
Finish Gravy:
Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf. If desired, swirl in butter for extra richness.
Serve:
Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
Savory braised beef in rich caramelized onion gravy, perfect for family dinners.  Save to Pinterest
Savory braised beef in rich caramelized onion gravy, perfect for family dinners. | savoringli.com

This recipe brings the family together; each bite sparks warm memories and hearty conversations at the dinner table.

Required Tools

Large Dutch oven or heavy ovenproof pot, Chefs knife, Cutting board, Wooden spoon, Measuring cups and spoons

Allergen Information

Contains: Wheat (if using regular flour), Dairy (if finishing with butter). May contain: Sulfites (in wine, Worcestershire sauce). Double-check all labels for gluten or other allergens if needed.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 495, Total Fat: 23 g, Carbohydrates: 18 g, Protein: 49 g

Delicious braised beef with sweet onion gravy, garnished with fresh parsley sprigs. Save to Pinterest
Delicious braised beef with sweet onion gravy, garnished with fresh parsley sprigs. | savoringli.com

This dish delivers rich flavors with tender beef, making every family meal special and satisfying.

Recipe Questions & Answers

How long should the beef be braised?

Braising the beef for 2 to 2½ hours ensures it becomes tender and infused with the flavors of the caramelized onion gravy.

Can I make the gravy thicker?

To thicken the gravy, remove the beef after cooking and simmer the sauce uncovered until it reaches the desired consistency.

What type of wine works best in this dish?

A dry red wine complements the beef and deepens the flavor profile of the caramelized onion gravy.

Is there a gluten-free option available?

Use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour to keep the dish suitable for gluten-free diets.

What sides pair well with this dish?

Mashed potatoes, polenta, or buttered noodles work wonderfully to accompany the rich braised beef and gravy.

Braised Beef Caramelized Onion

Tender beef slowly cooked with caramelized onions and savory gravy for a comforting meal.

Prep Time
25 minutes
Time to Cook
150 minutes
Overall Time
175 minutes
Created by savoringli Lila Anderson


Skill Level Medium

Cuisine Type Classic European

Makes 4 Serving Size

Diet Details None specified

Ingredient List

Beef

01 2.5 lb beef chuck roast or brisket, cut into large chunks
02 1 tsp kosher salt
03 ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Vegetables

01 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
02 3 cloves garlic, minced
03 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
04 2 celery stalks, sliced

Braising Liquid & Gravy

01 2 tbsp tomato paste
02 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
03 1 cup dry red wine
04 2 cups beef stock
05 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
06 2 sprigs fresh thyme
07 1 bay leaf

Finishing

01 1 tbsp unsalted butter (optional)
02 Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Step 02

Season beef: Season the beef chunks evenly with kosher salt and black pepper.

Step 03

Brown beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches on all sides until well-seared; transfer to a plate.

Step 04

Caramelize onions: Reduce heat to medium and add sliced onions. Cook, stirring frequently, until deeply golden and caramelized, about 20 minutes.

Step 05

Add vegetables and garlic: Add carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the onions and cook for 3 minutes until fragrant.

Step 06

Incorporate tomato paste and flour: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stir well, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 07

Deglaze with wine: Gradually pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pot; simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.

Step 08

Add liquids and herbs: Add beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. Return the beef along with any accumulated juices to the pot.

Step 09

Braise beef: Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2 to 2.5 hours or until the beef is fork-tender.

Step 10

Finish sauce: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf. If desired, swirl in unsalted butter to enrich the gravy.

Step 11

Season and garnish: Adjust seasoning to taste, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot alongside mashed potatoes or crusty bread.

Equipment Needed

  • Large Dutch oven or heavy ovenproof pot
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient for allergens. If unsure, check with a healthcare provider.
  • Contains wheat if using regular flour
  • Contains dairy if finishing with butter
  • May contain sulfites from wine and Worcestershire sauce

Nutrition Info (per portion)

Serves for general info – not a replacement for professional advice.
  • Calorie Count: 495
  • Fats: 23 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Proteins: 49 g