12 Beef Chuck Recipes That Make An Affordable Cut Shine

The versatility of beef chuck makes it a pitch-hitter of the meat counter.

If you've been looking at your shopping cart and wondering "where's the beef?" you're not alone. Steak may not be in everyone's budget these days, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a luxurious boeuf Bourguignon or smoky slices of barbecued beef when you've got an affordable cut like beef chuck sitting at the meat counter, just waiting to be bought. The versatility of beef chuck can't be overstated. Certainly the most popular way, from France to Nigeria, is to make it into a soul-satisfying stew. But it's also at the heart of regional comfort foods like Texas chili con carne and Taiwanese beef noodle soup and celebratory staples like Egyptian fatta. It even serves as the meaty backbone of borsch. These beef chuck recipes will have you positively giddy the next time there's a special for the cut at the market.

Boeuf Bourguignon

Arguably the (French) mother of classic beef stews, this dish is resplendent with the Burgundian flavors of red wine, mushrooms, and pearl onions. You needn't have watched Julie & Julia on repeat to appreciate the majesty of a beautifully constructed boeuf Bourguignon.

Get Recipe: Boeuf Bourguignon

Rich and Flavorful Guinness Beef Stew With Potatoes

Head up north to Ireland, swap the red wine and mushrooms for Guinness ale, parsnips, and potatoes and you've got a pub favorite that's perfect for a St. Paddy's Day celebration or any cold blustery night.

List Link: Rich and Flavorful Guinness Beef Stew With Potatoes

Pressure Cooker Beef Barley Soup

The deep, long-simmered flavors of this soup belies the fact that it takes less than an hour to make.

List Link: Pressure Cooker Beef Barley Soup

Nigerian Beef Stew

Beef is simmered in a flavorful stock, then cut up and browned separately before stewing in a cooked aromatic base of tomatoes, onions, and peppers, along with spices and herbs, until rich and thick. Served with rice and plantains, this is a mainstay of Nigerian cuisine.

List Link: Nigerian Beef Stew

Egyptian Fatta

This crowd-pleasing dish is traditionally associated with Egyptian religious celebrations. While there are subtle differences between Christian and Muslim versions, no festive meal is complete without this layered platter of seasoned, toasted pita, fragrant rice, and boldly flavored slow-cooked beef.

List Link: Egyptian Fatta

Swedish Meatballs With Rich Gravy

Ground chuck mixed with just a small ratio ground pork is the secret to achieving the ideal springy but tender, spear-with-a-toothpick Swedish meatballs. Lavished with a rich gravy, Daniel's version leaves IKEA's in the dust.

List Link: Swedish Meatballs With Rich Gravy

Gyudon (Japanese Simmered Beef and Rice Bowls)

Popularized by the Japanese fast-food chain Yoshinoya in the U.S., you can find this tasty one-bowl specialty in most shopping mall food courts these days, but it's just as easy (and tasty) to make it at home. Kenji suggests freezing chuck steak until very firm and slicing it as thin as possible.

List Link: Gyudon (Japanese Simmered Beef and Rice Bowls)

Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

Chile bean sauce, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise give this quintessentially Taiwanese comfort dish its distinctive taste. The broth is rich with collagen from beef chuck that's been simmered with smashed plum tomato and two types of soy sauce.

List Link: Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

Borsch, All Spiced Up

Lean chuck is what gives this gorgeous soup laden with jeweled chunks of tender beets its meaty backbone, while dill and coriander seeds balance out the earthy flavor of the root vegetables.

List Link: Borsch, All Spiced Up

Pressure Cooker Texas-Style Chili con Carne

Beef chuck and chiles are the stars of Kenji's quick pressure-cooker version of this Tex-Mex staple. Seared whole chunks of beef and a blend of dried chiles provide maximum flavor in just 30 minutes.

List Link: Pressure Cooker Texas-Style Chili con Carne

Sous Vide Smoked Beef Chuck

While brisket is the cut of meat most often associated with barbecued beef, Kenji proves you can get equally tender juicy results with the more affordable chuck. His foolproof method combines precise sous vide cooking with a smoky finish from the grill.

List Link: Sous Vide Smoked Beef Chuck

Moroccan Pot Roast With Dried Cherry Couscous

Whole beef chuck is seared and slow-braised in a tomato liquid spiked with a lemony mint puree and a Moroccan spiced blend called ras-el-hanout, which adds tons of flavor. Couscous tossed with dried tart cherries, lemon zest, and parsley serves as a bright accompaniment.

List Link: Moroccan Pot Roast With Dried Cherry Couscous

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