Skip to main content

Beef and Wild Mushrooms

This sophisticated beef and wild mushrooms dish is the epitome of slow-cooked comfort. By gently braising a lean cut of beef chuck in a rich red wine and herb-infused broth, the meat becomes exceptionally tender while developing a deep, savoury depth of flavour. The addition of earthy chanterelles and shiitake mushrooms provides a wonderful textural contrast, making this a refined choice for a weekend dinner that feels truly special.

As a diabetes-friendly main course, this recipe focuses on high-quality protein and fragrant aromatics rather than heavy starches or sugary sauces. Chilling the beef overnight is a clever professional technique that allows you to easily remove any saturated fat before serving, resulting in a lighter yet intensely glossy sauce. Serve it alongside steamed seasonal greens or roasted root vegetables for a balanced, wholesome meal.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Beef and Wild Mushrooms

  • 45ml olive oil, divided

  • 450g boneless beef chuck roast

  • Kosher salt

  • 4 medium onions, coarsely chopped

  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed

  • 1 sprig thyme

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 240ml dry red wine

  • 1925ml low-sodium beef broth

  • 230g mixed mushrooms (such as hen of the woods, chanterelle, crimini, and stemmed shiitake), torn into large pieces

  • Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)

How to make Beef and Wild Mushrooms

Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Season beef with kosher salt; cook, turning, until browned on all sides, about 15 minutes. Transfer beef to a plate.

Add remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil to pot. Add onions, garlic, thyme sprig, and bay leaf. Cook, stirring often, until onions are golden brown and soft, 10-15 minutes. Remove pot from heat and add wine. Return pot to heat, bring to a boil, and simmer until wine is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.

Return beef to pot; add broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently until beef is fork-tender, 5-6 hours.

Let beef cool in cooking liquid, then transfer to a shallow baking dish. Strain braising liquid through a fine-mesh sieve over meat in dish. Cover and chill overnight. DO AHEAD: Beef can be made 3 days ahead. Keep chilled. Discard fat from surface of braising liquid before continuing.

Cut beef into 4 pieces; set aside. Transfer chilled braising liquid to a large skillet and bring to a boil; cook until thickened and reduced to 350ml , 25-30 minutes. Taste and season sauce with salt, if needed.

Add beef to skillet with sauce, cover, and cook over medium-low heat until beef is heated through, 8-10 minutes. Divide beef among plates. Spoon sauce over, top with mushrooms, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
flu eligibility checker

Ask, share, connect.

Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics.

symptom checker

Feeling unwell?

Assess your symptoms online for free

Sign up to the Patient newsletter

Your weekly dose of clear, trustworthy health advice - written to help you feel informed, confident and in control.

Please enter a valid email address

By subscribing you accept our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell your data.