Carbonade Flamande

Carbonade Flamande is a traditional Belgian dish consisting of beef short ribs simmered in Belgian ale and then served over fries or roasted potatoes.  It’s the perfect comfort food for cold weather!

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Carbonade Flamande is a traditional Belgian dish consisting of beef short ribs simmered in Belgian ale and then served over fries or roasted potatoes.  It's the perfect comfort food for cold weather!

Now that Autumn is in full swing, it’s time to turn our attention back to cold weather comfort food.  As August comes to an end, I go into Autumn kicking and screaming as I just can’t deal with the fact that summer is over.  But by late September, I’ve fully embraced the light jacket and beautiful leaves.  (I choose to ignore the heavy jackets and snow boots in the corner of the closet.) 

Late September also means the return of curling at our local curling club.  (Curling is seriously one of the only reasons I stay afloat during the long winters up here in upstate New York!)

Carbonade Flamande is a traditional Belgian dish consisting of beef short ribs simmered in Belgian ale and then served over fries or roasted potatoes.  It's the perfect comfort food for cold weather!

I’ve written about the sport of curling on a number of occasions before, but today I’d like to point out one of the rather fortunate side benefits enjoyed by curling clubs everywhere.  The temperature on the ice is somewhere between 35°-40°F (1°-4°C).  It’s chilly for sure, but you end up working up quite a sweat during a game.  Here’s the thing.  That ice shed is basically a giant refrigerator.  Visit any curling club, and chances are you’ll see stacks and stacks of beer bottles and kegs.

Curling club beer

Carbonade Flamande

Carbonade Flamande is a traditional Belgian dish consisting of beef short ribs simmered in Belgian ale and then served over fries or roasted potatoes.  It's the perfect comfort food for cold weather!

Speaking of beers, let’s turn our attention to this Carbonade Flamande recipe. If you aren’t familiar with this one, then you should be! Carbonade Flamande is a Belgian beef stew that is traditionally made with beer, onions, thyme and bay leaves. 

In many ways, Carbonnade Flamande is similar to Beef Bourguignon that is popular in France, Belgium’s neighbor to the south.  However, as this recipe moved north, the French red wine got replaced with Belgian beer.  (When in Rome…)  The result is a sweeter stew that can be found in restaurants throughout Belgium and the Netherlands. Although sweeter than the French version, the taste of this recipe is absolutely fantastic!

Carbonade Flamande is a traditional Belgian dish consisting of beef short ribs simmered in Belgian ale and then served over fries or roasted potatoes.  It's the perfect comfort food for cold weather!

Laura and I took a trip to this region several years ago, and I remember seeing Carbonade Flamande, sometimes called Flemish Stew, on menus.  The pasta which is typical seen with Beef Bourguignon is replaced with french fries or roasted yellow potatoes.  I also chose to simmer this one a bit longer so that the stew thickened and became similar to a thin gravy.

Carbonade Flamande is a traditional Belgian dish consisting of beef short ribs simmered in Belgian ale and then served over fries or roasted potatoes.  It's the perfect comfort food for cold weather!

All together, Carbonade Flamande is a delicious comfort food meal that is perfect for these early chilly days of Autumn.  (I suspect it will also be perfect for the downright frigid days of January and February, too…but we aren’t there yet!)  So grab a bowl and curl up on the couch.  Cheers!

How to Store Leftovers

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To reheat, just place on a dry skillet over medium heat for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. A microwave also works well for reheating this recipe.

Carbonade Flamande can also be frozen in an airtight freezer bag for up to 4 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating as normal. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do around our house!

Did you make a batch of this Carbonade Flamande at home?  Leave a comment.  Or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog)!

Looking for other tasty cold-weather comfort food?  Check out these recipes, too:

Burrata Bolognese
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Creamy Tomato Orzo Soup
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Carbonade Flamande is a traditional Belgian dish consisting of beef short ribs simmered in Belgian ale and then served over fries or roasted potatoes.  It's the perfect comfort food for cold weather!

Carbonade Flamande

Carbonade Flamande is a traditional Belgian dish consisting of beef short ribs simmered in Belgian ale and then served over fries or roasted potatoes.  It’s the perfect comfort food for cold weather!
5 from 13 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 626kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat.
  • Once hot, add diced bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until bacon is crispy. Transfer bacon into a large bowl, but leave ~2 Tbsp of bacon fat in pot. Transfer bacon into a large bowl; set aside.
  • Meanwhile, pat beef dry with a paper towel.
  • Add butter to pot. Once butter has melted, add beef and brown on all sides, turning as necessary. Once browned, transfer beef into bowl with cooked bacon. (Note: I did this in 2 rounds to avoid overcrowding the pot.)
  • Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper; toss until well coated. Set beef aside.
  • Reduce heat to medium. Add onions and sauté for 5-6 minutes, stirring often.
  • Add sugar and minced garlic; stir until well combined. Continue cooking for 8-10 more minutes, stirring often, or until onions have turned golden brown.
  • Add flour; stir until well combined.
  • Add ale; stir until well combined, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot.
  • Transfer beef and bacon into pot. Add broth, mustard, brown sugar, thyme and bay leaves; bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1½ hours. (Note: This is a good time to roast the potatoes.)
  • Remove lid and continue simmering for 40-45 minutes or until beef is fork tender.
  • Discard bay leaves. Spoon mixture over roasted potatoes and garnish with chopped parsley.

Notes

Any cut of beef that is good for stews will work here.  Chuck roast is popular, but I opted for beef short ribs in this recipe.
The type of beer used in this recipe is important.  Make sure to select a Belgian ale.  I used Ommegang’s Abbey Ale, but if that beer isn’t available in your area, look for another Belgian dubbel or Flanders red ale instead.
Carbonade Flamande is a traditional Belgian dish consisting of beef short ribs simmered in Belgian ale and then served over fries or roasted potatoes.  It's the perfect comfort food for cold weather!

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38 Comments

    1. Snow! No. Just no. I thought it was getting chilly here, Kathy, but you’ve beat me there. Either way, I’m still in the yummy comfort food mode, and this Carbonade Flamande is a keeper. It’s packed with a ton of flavor! (Also, that ice shed stocked with beer helps us curlers get through the winter. Haha!)

  1. 5 stars
    Well done David! A great fall stew and one I have great memories of eating more than once in Brussels. Always with handmade crispy fries and a cold beer. I make a multitude of stews, but I’ve not made this recipe. Thanks for sharing and inspiration as I’ll be giving it a cook. I’ll need to substitute for the beef short ribs as we don’t get that cut here.
    Now about curling clubs, that’s some serious beer inventory you guys have at your club. We have a curling club in Lund that does just as you guys do. I’m not able to be on the ice and play, but love to go and watch the folks have fun while drinking beer from the keg I’m setting on.

    1. Yes! I’m jealous that you’re close to Brussels (among other places) over there. I had such a good time in Belgium! So I know chuck roast is a popular substitute for Carbonade Flamande. But I also wonder if you couldn’t put an order in for shortribs at your local butcher? I don’t really know how that works, but it might be worth an ask?

      Every curling club I’ve been to has a nice stock of beer in the ice shed. It’s part of the game, I think! I’d love to get over and play a game at the club in Lund. Maybe we’ll bring the Team Beef guys over! (Hah…like that wouldn’t be expensive or anything…)

      1. 5 stars
        Our butcher can cut it, but the cost is outrageously expensive (around US18/lb) for a lot of bone and a bit of beef. Our beef is all free-range, smaller than typical US beef and not so tasty. Put our pork is outstanding and we have a pork cut that is similar to beef short rib that I plan to try.

        1. Ugh. Ok, point taken. $18/pound is more than I spend on tenderloin…much less short ribs! That’s an interesting idea to use pork here. Let me know how that turns out?

  2. This recipe was one I cooked out of a cookbook when I was first married and learning how to cook. I didn’t remember that it used short ribs, or that it was served over roasted potatoes. I’m a purist when it comes to fries. I don’t like stuff on them! I can’t wait to make this again. 37 years is too long to wait!

    1. So short ribs is definitely a twist on the classic here, Mimi. (Chuck roast is the more common cut, but short ribs are definitely seen here and there.) And I hear ya on the fries. I liked the roasted potatoes here. I’ll save my fries for burgers instead! 🙂

    1. Yup, Carbonade Flamande isn’t as common as other recipes…but it totally should be! This is one heck of a good cold-weather comfort food. Thanks, Marissa!

  3. 5 stars
    Oh my gosh, David! We are in fully fall mode here and this sounds perfect! I’m feeling the need for warm, hearty dishes like this, and the beer doesn’t hurt, either! Makes me want to go to Belgium, though. Ha!

    1. Oh yeah, one bite of this one, and you’ll be ready to hop a plane to Brussels! (I loved visiting Brussels actually…such a fun place. And it has a lot of chocolate. Haha!) This is some seriously good Fall food, Laura. I do hope you make it on one of these chilly nights! 🙂

  4. Hi David! This is my kind of food! Tender beef with onions on top of roasted potatoes, who could ask for more? For some reason I cannot get short ribs here so I will have to sub in a chuck roast. Would it be wrong to add some carrots to this? You guys are certainly set on the beer and with bringing snacks that’s a party!!

    1. That is so crazy that you can’t get short ribs in your area! Have you tried the Certified Angus Beef product finder? (https://www.certifiedangusbeef.com/buy/) I wonder if there might be another butcher nearby that you just haven’t stumbled across! Either way, a chuck roast would be totally fine here, too. And, hey, I think some carrots would go well in this one. I would be careful about adding too many, though, as it could get too sweet…the Belgian beer brings some sweetness by itself.

      Also, you nailed it with the party description. That’s pretty much what happens every curling night! 🙂

  5. 5 stars
    I love that it’s cold weather comfort food season as much as I love that it’s pumpkin season. I really love the flavors in this dish. Just pinned it to my “Amazing Meat Recipes” board. 🙂
    Your curling part of your life sounds so fun, and it’s awesome drinks and food work their way into it! ~Valentina

    1. I absolutely love this time of the year, too, Valentina! From the pumpkin spice desserts to the Fall colors to the cold-weather comfort food. It’s hard to beat! Thank you SO much for pinning this recipe. 🙂 Cheers, my friend!

  6. Yes, David, I’d like to confirm that autumn is in full swing now. The previous mornings and nights were refreshing / chilly, but it’s been COLD for a couple of days. I guess we’ve experienced first frosts during the nights. So, it’s totally time for hot tea, mulled wine, and comfort food. This dish is a quintessence of comfort food, hearty and delicious. Pass me a bowl please!

    1. I hear ya on the chilly and refreshing, Ben. I love that time of the year. But then when it goes from chilly to downright cold…eh, no thanks. And it happens so suddenly, too! And, yes, this dish really is the epitome of chilly weather food. Thanks!

  7. 5 stars
    I’d definitely love to curl up on the couch with a big bowl of this! I love fall and have totally embraced the cozy clothes and comfort food (well, that’s kinda, like, always, lol).I’ve never heard of this dish before, so clearly I’ve been missing out. Looks like a must try, my friend!

    1. Yes! This dish might not get as much love as it’s cousin (Beef Bourguignon), but it’s SO good. Definitely a good one for curling up on the couch in a hoodie. 🙂 Thanks, Dawn!

    1. Yes! You definitely need to try this one, Alex. It’s so good! It’s similar to Beef Bourguignon, but it uses Belgian ale instead. Definitely worth making a pot of this…although you may want to wait 6 months until it starts to good chilly in your area again! 🙂

    1. I’m with ya on the meat and potatoes! “Meat and potatoes” sounds so boring, but there truly are tons of ways to mix it up. Carbonade Flamande is an excellent example. It’s a great meal for chilly nights! 🙂

  8. David, David, David! I had forgotten how much I love Flemish Stew! I’m having some friends over soon, and one of them is a fabulous cook, and I’ve been mulling over what to make – or what I dare to make! This is the perfect dish. It’s so ultimate-comfort-foody, and yet it’s easily wonderful enough to serve guests. What would you suggest for dessert?

    1. Done! I’m glad the stars aligned to drop Flemish Stew back into your brain. 🙂 It’s definitely a fancy sounding dish, but truly it’s easy and delicious comfort food. Now for dessert. Hmmm. Full disclosure: I just wandered back through my blog archives for inspiration. What about this Blueberry Streusel Cake (https://spicedblog.com/blueberry-streusel-cake.html) but with sour cherries instead? This Chocolate Chess Pie is insanely easy and insanely delicious. Ooo…and you could use Belgian chocolate to keep the Belgium theme going. (https://spicedblog.com/chocolate-chess-pie.html) Lastly, these Pumpkin Spice Cannoli are a fun one for the season. If going all-in on pumpkin spice is too much, you could still make homemade cannoli. Impressive and easy as long as you just buy the cannoli shells from a grocery store or bakery. (https://spicedblog.com/pumpkin-spice-cannoli.html)

      1. Man, those are all fantastic ideas, David. I think I like the idea of Belgian chocolate. That’s great. I’ve never made a chess pie, and it’s always such a showstopper.

    1. It’s gotten cold here, too, Matt! As much as I’m dreading the inevitable snows, I’m loving the crisp air and the excuse to make delicious comfort food. 🙂

  9. 5 stars
    Nice! I like how this stew was moved North, originally being like Beef Bourguignon and so to make it Belgian they replaced the wine with Beer! Here in the UK we have Steak and Ale Pie which might also be a variation of that Belgian Stew. Either way. I’m in!!

    1. You know, when you think about food, it’s really so similar. Dumplings in one country are gnocchi in another. Sure, there might be slight variations, but you can totally see how the recipe progressed over time. This recipe is a definite keeper, too, Neil! It’s delicious!

  10. One of my favorite kinds of beef stew! We have it often in the fall and winter which, of course, means starting now… I love the slight bitterness that the Belgian beer lends to the dish. Have you ever tried thickening the sauce with a bit of pain d’épice (French spice cake)? That’s the old fashioned Flemish way they say, and the sweetness of the spice cake balances the beer really nicely.

    1. Thickening the sauce with pain d’épice? Interesting! No, I haven’t tried that. I have a recipe here on the blog for pain d’épice, so I might have to pull it up and try that out. What a fun idea, and I can see how the spices from the bread would totally work. I’m excited to try this idea now, Frank!

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