Beef and Onions Braised in Beer for #SundaySupper

Movies and food are intertwined in so many ways. I can’t think of a movie that does not include food in some manner. Whether it is to set a scene or be the main feature, food makes an appearance. It can play a funny role like in the cafeteria scene in Animal House. Food fight!! It sets the ambiance as in the dining scenes in Age of Innocence. Oh those table settings! It can also be a leading co-star as it is throughout Julie & Julia. I decided to make Beef and Onions Braised in Beer to celebrate food, movies, and to have an excuse to finally get a copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

The cookbook was on my to-get list for many years. I have been a fan of Julia Child since I saw her on PBS oh so long ago. Last year for her centennial celebration I shared French Potato Salad, Tuna Salad Nicoise, and Braised Sauerkraut. Before that, watching the movie Julie and Julia made me want the book and yet I never got it. It took Sunday Supper and the movie-inspired recipes event to get me to click on the button to order the book.

Why did I decide to make Beef and Onions Braised in Beer? There is something about a slow-simmered beef dish that I can’t resist. I thought about the scene in the movie when Julia is chopping onions like crazy and her husband walks in and immediately turns around and leaves. It made me smile because I know my husband isn’t crazy about the smell when I’m chopping onions and garlic. The recipe also calls for Pilsner style beer and you know my German side kicked in on that one.

The finished beef has incredible flavor. Slow-cooking makes it fork tender. The sauce is another one I could almost drink by itself. It’s a good thing there is plenty to pour over noodles and sop up with bread. The book states “Serve this with parsley potatoes or buttered noodles, a green salad, and beer”. As you can see in the photo above, it is exactly what I did.

Now for more movie-inspired recipes. The Sunday Supper bloggers have really had a fun time with this event. We are so excited to share both good food and the movie story behind each one:

Toast (bready things)

• Scones (inspired by Tea with Mussolini) – Country Girl in the Village
• Croque Monsieur (inspired by It’s Complicated) – That Skinny Chick Can Bake!!!
• “Eat Me” Blueberry Lemon Scones (inspired by Alice in Wonderland) – The Messy Baker
• Dog Bone Breadsticks (inspired by Frankenweenie) – The Urban Mrs.
• Individual Deep Dish Pizzas (inspired by Mystic Pizza) – Momma’s Meals
• Basic Bread Recipe (inspired by Agora) – Masala Herb
• Mystical Double Cheese Pizza (inspired by Mystic Pizza) – Webicurean
• Vanilla Cinnamon Pancakes (inspired by No Reservations) – Pies and Plots

No Reservations (soups and salads)

• 10-Minute Potato Ham Soup with Pesto Swirl (inspired by Julie & Julia) – Shockingly Delicious
• Alaska Smoked Salmon, Celery, and Apple Salad (inspired by Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) – Pescetarian Journal

Today’s Special (fish, chicken, beef, and pork)

• الدار البيضاء Fish Tajine (inspired by Casablanca) – Maroc Mama
• Beef and Onions Braised in Beer (inspired by Julie & Julia) – Magnolia Days
• Spicy Seared Tuna with Balsamic Reduction (inspired by Big Fish) – I Run For Wine
• Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs (inspired by Brave) – Big Bear’s Wife
• Puerco Pibil (inspired by Once Upon a Time in Mexico) – From the Bookshelf

Forks Over Knives (veggie-heavy dishes and sides)

• Eggplant in Garlic Sauce (inspired by The Joy Luck Club) – Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Beet Chips (inspired by Food Matters) – girlichef
• Ratatouille (inspired by Ratatouille) – Noshing With The Nolands
• Mushroom and Asparagus Mini Quiches (inspired by Sixteen Candles) – Home Cooking Memories
• Veg Samosas (inspired by Monsoon Wedding) – My Cute Bride
• Not So Fried Green Tomatoes (inspired by Fried Green Tomatoes) – Mama.Mommy.Mom
• Roasted Taters with Bacon (inspired by Lord of the Rings) – Curious Cuisiniere
• Goat Cheese Basil Grits (inspired by Fried Green Tomatoes) – Diabetic Foodie

Udon (pasta and noodles)

• Big Night Timpano (inspired by Big Night) – Kimchi Mom
• Better Baked Mac & Cheese (inspired by Soul Food) – What Smells So Good?
• Spaghetti with Meatballs and Gravy (inspired by Lady and the Tramp) – Juanita’s Cocina
• Spicy Sichuan Noodles (inspired by Eat Drink Man Woman) – Food Lust People Love
• Chicken Tchoupitoulas Pasta (inspired by Last Holiday) – Gourmet Drizzles

Just Desserts (sweet treats)

• The Best Chocolate Cake (inspired by Chocolat) – The Foodie Army Wife
• Chocolate Almond Torte with Raspberries (inspired by Chocolat) – Vintage Kitchen
• Iocane-Dusted Brownies of Unusual Size (BOUS’) (inspired by The Princess Bride) – The Cooking Actress
• Minny’s Chocolate Pie (inspired by The Help) – Daily Dish Recipes
• Pao de Lo | Portuguese Bundt Sponge Cake (inspired by My Big Fat Greek Wedding) – Family Foodie
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie (inspired by Life of Pi) – No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
• Fantasia Cakes (inspired by Disney’s Fantasia) – NinjaBaking. com
• Chocolate Dipped Almond Coconut Bars (inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) – Kudos Kitchen By Renee
• (Gluten Free) Orange Soda Pound Cake (inspired by Joe Vs The Volcano) – Blueberries and Blessings
• Peach and Berry Cobbler (inspired by Soul Food) – The Lovely Pantry
• Golden Ticket Peanut Butter-Pretzel Truffles (inspired by Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) – Weekend Gourmet
• French Macarons (inspired by Marie Antoinette) – Happy Baking Days
• Pistachio and Cherry Cannoli Cups (inspired by The Godfather) – Peanut Butter and Peppers

Bottle Shock (beverages)

• Raspberry Cordial (inspired by Anne of Green Gables) – NeighborFood
• Grapefruit Flirtini (inspired by Sex and the City) – Ruffles & Truffles
• Wines To Pair With #SundaySupper Movie-Inspired Recipes (inspired by Sideways) – ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Has a movie inspired you to cook something? Which movie and what did you make? Now that you see all these you can have even more inspiration. It would be like I did with Beef and Onions Braised in Beer. Thanks so much Heather from girlichef for hosting such a fun and fabulous event!

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement

Announcing the Food & Wine Conference sponsored by Sunday Supper! It’s being held July 19th – 21st in beautiful, sunny Orlando, FL. It’s a must for food bloggers. Check it out by clicking here → Food & Wine Conference

PS. One other reason I chose this movie is because I can’t tell you how many times when I tell people I have a food blog they ask “You mean like in the movie Julie & Julia?”. Well, it isn’t like the one in the movie, however, if anyone wants to make a movie about this blog, I am gladly accepting offers.

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Beef and Onions Braised in Beer

A recipe for beef and onions braised in beer. Strips of roast beef and onion slices are slow-cooked (braised) in Pilsner style beer. Serve with buttered noodles or potatoes for a hearty meal.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes

Author Renee

Ingredients

• 3 pounds lean beef roast
• 2 to 3 tablespoons bacon fat or cooking oil
• 1 1/2 pounds sliced onions 6 cups
• Salt and pepper
• 4 garlic cloves pressed or finely minced
• 1 cup beef stock not broth
• 2 to 3 cups Pilsner style beer
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 6 fresh parsley sprigs
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 fresh thyme sprig
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• Chopped fresh parsely for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Cut the beef into slices about 2- to 4-inches long, 1-inch wide, and 1/2-inch thick. Lay beef strips on paper towels and cover with another layer of paper towels to dry them.
2. In a large skillet or saute pan over medium-high heat, add a thin layer of bacon fat or oil and heat until almost smoking. Brown the beef slices quickly and in batches. Do not crowd the pan. Set browned beef aside in a bowl.
3. Reduce heat to medium and add the sliced onions. Add more fat or oil if needed. Cook the onions for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove onions from the heat and season with salt and pepper. Add the garlic and stir to combine.
4. In a 9- or 10-inch dutch oven or heavy pot, place 1/2 of the beef in an even layer and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cover the beef with 1/2 of the onions. Repeat beef and onion layers. Pour any accumulated juices from the beef into the pot.
5. In the browning skillet over medium heat, add the stock. Heat the stock and scrape the pan to get up any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet. Pour the heated stock over the beef. Add enough beer to barely cover the beef. Stir in the brown sugar.
6. Wrap the parsely, bay leaf, and thyme in cheesecloth. Tie it with cooking string (makes an herb bouquet or bouquet garni). Bury the herb bouquet in the beef.
7. Over medium-high heat, bring the contents of the dutch oven to a simmer. Cover and place it in the oven. Cook it in the oven for 2 1/2 hours.
8. Remove and discard the herb bouquet. Use a strainer over a large bowl to drain the liquid out of the dutch oven. Return the beef and onions to the dutch oven. Pour the liquid into a saucepan and skim off the fat. Heat the liquid over medium heat.
9. In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and vinegar. Slowly pour it into the liquid, whisking constantly. Bring the liquid to a simmer. Turn the heat to medium-low or low and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to slightly thicken the liquid. Pour the liquid into the dutch oven.
10. Serve immediately with buttered noodles or potatoes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Recipe Notes

A recipe for beef and onions braised in beer. Strips of roast beef and onion slices are slow-cooked (braised) in Pilsner style beer. Serve with buttered noodles or potatoes for a hearty meal.

Recipe adapted from one in the Mastering the Art of French Cooking cookbook by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, and Simone Beck.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.