A carbonade flamande (or à la flamande) (in Flemish Stoverij), is a traditional Belgian sweet-sour beef and onion stew made with beer, and seasoned with thyme, bay and mustard. Mushrooms or spiced bread can also be added.
The type of beer used is important, and traditionally an Oud bruin, Brune Abbey beer or Flanders red is the beer of choice with a somewhat bitter-sour flavour. In addition to this and to enhance the sweet-sour flavour, just before serving, it has a small amount of cider or wine vinegar and either brown sugar or red currant jelly stirred in.
It is often accompanied by french fries or boiled potatoes.
The term carbonade may also refer to a dish of grilled pork loin and certain beef stews cooked with red wine such as beef bourguignon in the south of France, but is more commonly associated with the Belgian dish.