Ingredients:
- 2-3 lbs (900g-1.3kg) chuck steak, about 1.5-2 inches thick
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped (approx. 1 cup)
- 2 carrots, chopped (approx. ¾ cup)
- 2 celery stalks, chopped (approx. ¾ cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup (240ml) dry red wine (like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
- 3 cups (720ml) beef broth, low sodium
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening gravy)
- 2 tablespoons cold water (optional, for slurry)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Pat the chuck steak dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in the Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the steak on all sides until nicely browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove steak from pot and set aside.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in red wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits (fond). Simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce the wine slightly.
- Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Place the seared chuck steak back into the pot, ensuring it is mostly submerged in the liquid.
- Cover the pot with a lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise for 3-3.5 hours, or until the steak is fork-tender. Check occasionally to ensure the liquid hasn't evaporated too much; add more broth if needed.
- Remove the steak from the pot and set aside to rest. If desired, thicken the gravy: In a small bowl, whisk together flour and cold water to form a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the braising liquid and simmer over medium heat until thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
- Shred or slice the chuck steak and serve with the gravy. Garnish with fresh parsley.