Flemish Stoofvlees (Carbonnade Flamande)
Quick answer
A medium portion of Flemish Stoofvlees (Carbonnade Flamande) (250 g) contains 388 kcal, with 15 g of net carbohydrates and 45 g of protein. Its glycemic index is 45 (Low) for how fast it raises blood sugar, while its glycemic load per portion is 6.8 (Low) for its actual effect.
- Carbs18.8 g18.7%
- Protein45 g44.9%
- Fat16.2 g36.4%
- Fibre3.8 g
Percentages of total energy (calories)
The number one national dish of Belgium and the southern Dutch provinces! Chunks of beef are cooked for three hours with lots of sliced onion, Dijon mustard and bay leaves until the meat falls apart and the sauce thickens into a rich brown gravy. The tender meat is rich in protein (about 18 g per 100 g), and the long cooking turns its connective tissue into gelatine, which makes the sauce silky and filling for hours. It is fairly low in carbohydrate (about 6 g available per 100 g), mostly from the caramelised onions and a little bread, and our team estimates its glycemic index at about 45 (low), as long as it is not served on a pile of chips the way Belgian restaurants do.
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
A medium plate (250 g, about 388 kcal).
Best preparation methods
Serve it with cooked vegetables or a green salad, or with two spoonfuls of boiled potatoes in their skins, instead of chips. To thicken the sauce without bread, let it simmer uncovered until some of the liquid has evaporated.
Important Nutritional Note
Ingredient note: the traditional Belgian recipe is cooked with dark Belgian beer, and not all of the alcohol evaporates during cooking. For an alcohol-free version, replace the beer with beef stock, a spoonful of cider vinegar and a pinch of cinnamon for a very similar flavour and tenderness.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (250 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 155 kcal | 387.5 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g | 45 g |
| Carbohydrate | 7.5 g | 18.8 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 6 g | 15 g |
| Fat | 6.5 g | 16.2 g |
| Dietary fibre | 1.5 g | 3.8 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Soups & home-cooked dishes with a glycemic index (25), it ranks 18 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Is Flemish Stoofvlees (Carbonnade Flamande) good for weight loss?
It can be a useful part of a weight-loss plan because it provides 11.6 g of protein per 100 kcal, and protein supports fullness. A 250 g portion gives 388 kcal.
How does Flemish Stoofvlees (Carbonnade Flamande) affect blood sugar?
Its glycemic index is 45 (Low), a clinically reviewed estimate rather than a laboratory measurement. A typical 250 g portion has a glycemic load of 6.8 (Low), so the effect of this portion on blood sugar is limited.
What is the nutritional value of a typical portion of Flemish Stoofvlees (Carbonnade Flamande)?
A typical 250 g portion of Flemish Stoofvlees (Carbonnade Flamande) provides about 388 kcal, 45 g protein, 18.8 g carbohydrate, 16.2 g fat and 3.8 g fibre.
Is stoofvlees suitable for people with diabetes?
Yes, if you eat it with cooked vegetables or a salad and skip the traditional Belgian way of serving it on a pile of chips (friet). A 250 g plate of the stew alone has a low glycemic load (about 6.8).
Why is the stoofvlees sauce so thick and dark?
The dark colour comes from caramelising the onions for a long time and browning the meat, and the thickness traditionally comes from a slice of bread (or spiced gingerbread) spread with mustard that dissolves into the sauce.
How do I lower the carbohydrate in home-made stoofvlees?
Do not thicken the sauce with bread or sweetened gingerbread; let it reduce naturally by simmering it uncovered, and you get a dish that is rich in protein and low in carbohydrate.
Read also
- Prediabetes: How to Stop the Train and Lower Your HbA1cGuide
- Gestational Diabetes Guide: Normal Levels and Foods to EatGuide
References & Scientific Sources
- The glycemic index of this food is a clinically reviewed estimate by the WiBo Health medical team, not a laboratory measurement from the International GI Tables (Atkinson 2021). GI bands (low ≤ 55 · medium 56–69 · high ≥ 70) follow: ISO 26642:2010. Food products — Determination of the glycaemic index (GI) and recommendation for food classification. International Organization for Standardization; 2010. www.iso.org/standard/43633.html
- Definition of available carbohydrate and glycemic load: FAO/WHO. Carbohydrates in human nutrition: report of a joint FAO/WHO expert consultation. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 66. Rome; 1998. www.fao.org/4/w8079e/w8079e00.htm
Reviewed by Dr. Wassim Habib · Last reviewed 21 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.