Spicy Tomato Braised Beef Bites are tender chunks of beef simmered in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, perfect for a hearty meal.
Author:Lorenzo Bonucci
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 45 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Braising
Cuisine:American
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
1 ½ lb beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 cup beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
½ tsp sugar, optional
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 small red chili, thinly sliced, optional
Instructions
Season the beef. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Sprinkle with flour and toss until evenly coated.
Sear the beef. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear the beef for 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Transfer to a plate.
Sauté the aromatics. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cook the tomato paste. Add the tomato paste and stir for 1–2 minutes to deepen its flavor and develop a rich tomato base.
Prepare the sauce. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Add the oregano, red pepper flakes, optional sugar, and bay leaf. Stir well, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Braise the beef. Return the browned beef and its juices to the pot. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 1–1½ hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fork-tender.
Thicken the sauce. Remove the lid and bay leaf. Simmer uncovered for another 5–10 minutes if needed, until the tomato sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
Adjust and serve. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Garnish with chopped parsley and sliced red chili. Serve hot.
Notes
For extra heat, add more red pepper flakes.
This dish pairs well with rice or crusty bread.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.