Ingredients
3–4 lb beef chuck roast
4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2–3 tbsp butter or oil
1–2 tsp sugar (for caramelizing onions)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup wine (red or white, for deglazing)
4 cups beef broth
2–3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300–325°F (if using oven method).
- Pat the beef chuck roast dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat butter or oil over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until well-browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add sliced onions and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until onions are caramelized and golden brown, about 20–25 minutes.
- Deglaze the pot with wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Add beef broth, thyme, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce (if using). Return the seared roast to the pot and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover and transfer to the oven for 3–3½ hours, or until the beef is fork-tender. Alternatively, transfer to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6–8 hours.
- Remove the roast and let it rest for 10–15 minutes. Slice or shred the beef.
- Optionally reduce or thicken the sauce on the stovetop. Return the meat to the pot and stir into the gravy.
- Serve hot over mashed potatoes, polenta, noodles, or with crusty bread.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use red wine instead of white.
- Add Gruyère or Swiss cheese on top for a French onion soup twist.
- Pork shoulder can be substituted for beef for a different flavor profile.
- Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days; freeze up to 3 months (without cheese).
- Thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry or by reducing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
