Sweet Beef
This beef builds beef chuck, cut into chunks, bacon drippings or vegetable oil and butter into a satisfying meal you can have ready in about 60 minutes. Below: the ingredients split into pantry staples and a quick shopping list, a built-in serving scaler, and the method in 7 steps.
You'll mainly reach for oven and large pot. At medium difficulty across 7 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.
What you'll need
Shopping list (1)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: contains meat, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Dairy Mustard
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Pat the beef chunks dry and season with the salt and pepper.
- Heat the bacon drippings in a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown the beef on all sides in batches, about 8 minutes total, then set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium, add the butter and chopped onion, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the brown sugar, cider vinegar, and dry mustard until the sugar dissolves into a glossy sauce.
- Return the beef and any juices to the pot, pour in the water, and stir to combine.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 2 to 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fork-tender.
- Uncover for the final 15 minutes to let the sauce reduce to a sweet-tangy glaze, then taste, adjust seasoning, and serve.
You'll use: Oven · Large pot · Saucepan
Ingredient substitutions
- Butter
- olive oil (¾ the amount) · coconut oil · margarine
- Brown Sugar
- white sugar + 1 tbsp molasses per cup
Tips & common questions
How long does Sweet Beef take to make?
About 60 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 7 steps and 10 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of butter?
Try olive oil (¾ the amount). See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
Related recipes
Adapted recipe — rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Sweet Beef is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Sweet and sour beef ribs.jpg by stu_spivack, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.