Beef and Ale Stew
Beef and Ale Stew is a hearty main course of tender stewing steak slowly simmered in ale and beef stock with onions, garlic and fresh thyme. The Thermomix TM7 simmers it gently at low temperature, developing deep flavours without constant supervision. The integrated scale weighs the flour and ale precisely, giving you a rich, thick sauce every time.
About this recipe
Beef and Ale Stew Thermomix TM7 style is the ultimate cozy main course for chilly evenings, and this recipe shows exactly why the all-in-one kitchen machine earns its place on your worktop. Tender chunks of stewing steak are simmered slowly in dark ale and beef stock with onions, garlic and fresh thyme, creating a rich gravy thickened with plain flour. Searching for a quick weeknight dinner this is not — this is slow-cooked comfort at its best, but the TM7 does the watching for you, simmering steadily without stirring or scorching. The integrated scale weighs the ale and flour straight into the mixing bowl, while the blades blitz the garlic and onions in seconds. Serve this ale-stewed beef with crusty bread or creamy mash, and you have a hearty dinner that tastes like it simmered all day on a Belgian stove.
Preparation tips
- Cut the stewing steak into even, walnut-sized pieces so every chunk braises at the same rate and stays juicy rather than drying out at the edges.
- Dust the beef lightly with the plain flour before browning; this builds a deeper crust and helps the ale and beef stock thicken into a glossy gravy during simmering.
- Add the fresh thyme whole on the stalk so you can lift it out before serving, and swap the ale for a darker variety if you prefer a richer, maltier stew.
Recipe variations
- Alcohol-free version: replace the ale with an equal quantity of extra beef stock plus a splash of balsamic vinegar and a spoon of brown sugar to mimic the malty depth without any alcohol.
- Festive winter variation: add diced carrots, parsnips and a handful of prunes or chestnuts in the final simmer for a richer Christmas-style stew served with mash.
- Gluten-free option: swap the plain flour for cornflour mixed with a little cold water, and check that your ale or stock is certified gluten-free.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Weighing the ale and beef stock directly in the mixing bowl with the integrated TM7 scale ensures a perfectly balanced braising liquid every time.
- Blades blitz the garlic cloves into a fine paste within seconds, releasing full flavour into the stew without any sticky chopping board.
- Grinding the sea salt and peppercorns fresh in the TM7 seasons the beef with brighter, more aromatic spice than pre-ground pepper.
- Slow heating keeps the stewing steak at a gentle simmer in ale, so the meat turns fork-tender without any scorched bottom.
- Mixing the plain flour evenly through the stock with the TM7 blades yields a silky, lump-free gravy without manual whisking.
Ingredients
- stewing steak
- plain flour
- fine sea salt
- ground black pepper
- olive oil
- garlic cloves
- onions
- fresh thyme
- brown sugar
- vinegar