
This hearty Dutch Oven-Tender Beef recipe combines slow-cooked beef chunks with tender vegetables, creating a comforting meal perfect for any season. The dish uses natural beef juices enhanced by potatoes, cabbage, onions, and tomatoes, resulting in a rich, savory flavor profile. Using a Dutch oven ensures the beef cooks evenly while maintaining its tenderness. It’s an excellent option for family dinners, Sunday roasts, or cozy weeknight meals when you crave a classic homemade recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless beef chunks (such as chuck, cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups water
- ¾ cup onions (sliced & peeled)
- 1 cooking apple (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced)
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- pepper (few grains)
- 8 new potatoes (small, peeled)
- 4 wedges (2-inch cabbage)
- 14 ½ oz sliced tomatoes (1 can)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Meat
- Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over moderately high heat (about 300°F).
- Add beef chunks and brown lightly on all sides.
Step 2: Add Initial Ingredients
- Add onions, apple slices, water, salt, and pepper.
- Cover the Dutch oven and cook over moderate heat at 295°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Step 3: Add Potatoes
- Stir in potatoes and cook covered for an additional 10 minutes.
Step 4: Add Cabbage
- Arrange cabbage wedges on top of meat and continue cooking for 30 minutes or until vegetables and meat are tender.
Step 5: Add Tomatoes
- Pour canned tomatoes over the meat and heat for 5 minutes.
Step 6: Thicken the Sauce
- Remove cabbage and potatoes to a serving platter.
- In a small bowl, blend cornstarch with 1 tbsp water.
- Stir into the meat juices and continue cooking for about 3 minutes, until sauce is thickened.
Tips
- Brown the beef thoroughly on all sides for the richest flavor before adding liquid.
- Substitute beef broth for part of the water for deeper savory taste.
- Use baby carrots or chunked carrots if you’d like additional vegetables.
- If you prefer thicker gravy, add an extra ½ teaspoon cornstarch to the slurry.
- For a lighter dish, trim visible fat from beef before browning.
- Add fresh herbs (thyme, bay leaf, parsley) to the braising liquid for aroma.
- If potatoes are large, cut into halves to ensure even cooking.
- Leftovers reheat very well; flavors deepen by the next day.
- This can be adapted to stovetop simmering if a Dutch oven won’t fit in the oven.
Nutrition
Calories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 28gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 650mgPotassium: 900mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 3mg
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