Brazilian Cuisine
Homemade Beef with Onions and Tomatoes
Homemade Beef with Onions and Tomatoes is a hearty and warming everyday dish that beautifully pairs tender braised meat with a rich, velvety tomato sauce. The secret to this comforting meal lies in its zero-fuss technique: slow simmering transforms even budget-friendly cuts of beef into melt-in-your-mouth pieces. A generous amount of onions releases its natural sweetness during cooking, while ripe tomatoes and garlic provide a pleasant tang and form a savory gravy. It is an exceptional choice for a cozy family dinner that leaves a long-lasting, deeply satisfying aftertaste.
Dishday
Recipe overview
- Total time
- 65 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cooking
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Cuisine
- Brazilian Cuisine
Nutrition
per serving
- Calories
- 480 kcal
- Protein
- 36 g
- Fat
- 26 g
- Carbs
- 12 g
- Fiber
- 3 g
Step by step
Method
- 01
Trim any excess silver skin from the beef and cut it into uni…
Trim any excess silver skin from the beef and cut it into uniform bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly, then pat dry with a paper towel.
- 02
Slice the onions into thin half-moons and mince the garlic
Slice the onions into thin half-moons and mince the garlic. If using fresh tomatoes instead of canned, peel and dice them.
- 03
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot over hig…
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot over high heat, add the beef in a single layer, and sear for 5–7 minutes until browned.
- 04
Lower the heat to medium, stir in the onions and garlic, and…
Lower the heat to medium, stir in the onions and garlic, and cook for 5 minutes until the onions soften and start to caramelize.
- 05
Add the tomatoes with their juices, crushing them with a spat…
Add the tomatoes with their juices, crushing them with a spatula, then season with salt, black pepper, and add the bay leaf.
- 06
Bring to a boil, cover tightly with a lid, reduce the heat to…
Bring to a boil, cover tightly with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 40 minutes until the beef is fork-tender.
Dishday
Useful advice
Cooking tip
To reduce cooking time, slice the beef across the grain into smaller bite-sized strips. For a deeper flavor profile, marinate the meat beforehand in a splash of olive oil with a drop of lemon juice or vinegar.
How to serve
Serve the braised beef piping hot, generously spooning the savory tomato gravy over your choice of side dish. It pairs flawlessly with fluffy white rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta.
How to store
Store the stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens naturally over time, so add 2-3 tablespoons of hot water when reheating over low heat.
Note
If your tomatoes happen to be too acidic, balance the sauce out by adding half a teaspoon of sugar while the stew is simmering.
