Easy Homemade Ina Garten Cassoulet Recipe That Wows Every Time

Ina Garten’s cassoulet transforms humble ingredients into a luxurious culinary masterpiece that whispers comfort and sophistication.

French peasant cuisine meets elegant home cooking through this hearty one-pot wonder packed with deep, rich flavors.

Every spoonful promises a delectable journey through rustic traditions and modern refinement.

Each layer builds complexity, blending tender meats with aromatic herbs and crispy breadcrumb textures.

Slow-cooked techniques elevate simple components into something extraordinary that feels both familiar and surprising.

Your kitchen will fill with enticing aromas that transport you to a cozy countryside farmhouse.

The magic of this dish lies in its patient transformation and soul-warming potential: gather around the table and savor every meaningful bite.

Why Ina Garten’s Cassoulet Recipe Feels So French

• Savor Rich Layered Flavors: This cassoulet bursts with complex taste profiles from perfectly seared duck, lamb, and sausage, creating a depth of flavor that dances across your palate with every delicious bite.
• Master Classic French Cooking Technique: The slow-cooking method transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dish, allowing home cooks to experience the authentic art of traditional French culinary preparation with professional-level results.
• Enjoy Comforting Textural Harmony: The combination of tender, falling-apart meats and creamy navy beans topped with a crispy, golden breadcrumb crust delivers a sensational contrast that makes each mouthful incredibly satisfying and memorable.
• Celebrate Weekend Cooking Adventure: This recipe invites passionate food lovers to dedicate time to a truly special meal, offering a rewarding cooking experience that turns an ordinary weekend into a gourmet celebration with friends and family.

All You Need for Ina Garten Cassoulet

• Duck or Chicken: Flavorful protein with crispy skin, best when fresh and high-quality.
• Lamb: Rich, tender meat that adds depth to the cassoulet.
• Sausage: Hearty protein with traditional French flavor profile.

• Navy Beans: Creamy, classic bean for cassoulet that absorbs rich flavors, requires overnight soaking.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Classic mirepoix base that builds complex flavor foundation.
• Tomatoes: Adds acidity and depth to the dish.

• Thyme Leaves: Aromatic herb that enhances meat and bean flavors.

• Clarified Butter: High-heat cooking fat with rich, clean taste.
• Wine: Adds sophisticated depth and helps tenderize meats.
• Water: Provides necessary cooking liquid.

• Breadcrumbs: Crispy topping that creates textural contrast.
• Olive Oil: Helps bind breadcrumb mixture and adds subtle flavor.

Steps to a Cozy Ina Garten Cassoulet

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Meat

• Breadcrumbs
• Olive oil
• Thyme leaves

Set the topping mixture aside.

Step 2: Sear the Protein

• Duck
• Lamb
• Sausage

Transfer the seared meats to a large roasting pan.

Step 3: Cook Aromatic Vegetables

• Onions
• Carrots
• Celery

Cook until vegetables are nicely browned. Add tomatoes, wine, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 4: Combine and Slow Roast

Drain soaked navy beans and add them to the vegetable mixture along with herbs. Pour the entire mixture over the meats in the roasting pan. Cover and bake for 3 hours, or until the meats become tender and easily fall apart.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Remove the meats from the pan. Drain liquid from beans and vegetables. Blend a portion of the mixture to create a thicker sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste. Arrange sliced meats over the beans. Sprinkle the prepared crispy breadcrumb topping. Broil until the top turns a light golden brown.

Chef’s Tips for Ina Garten Cassoulet

• Savor Flavor Depth: Prepare cassoulet a day ahead to allow ingredients to mingle and develop more intense, complex tastes.
• Elevate Herb Freshness: Chop thyme and parsley moments before adding to capture maximum aromatic essence and bright flavor profiles.
• Control Liquid Brilliance: Watch cassoulet carefully during baking, adding warm broth if mixture looks dry to maintain perfect moisture balance.
• Transform Fat Management: Crisp reserved duck or chicken skin separately to create a crunchy, golden garnish that adds texture and richness.
• Maximize Wine Selection: Pick full-bodied red wines with robust character to complement the hearty meat and bean base of the cassoulet.

How to Store Ina Garten Cassoulet

• Air-Tight Glass Container Method: Transfer cooled cassoulet into sturdy glass containers with secure locking lids. Pros recommend using heavy-duty glass because it prevents flavor absorption and maintains dish integrity.
• Layered Portioning Method: Divide cassoulet into individual serving portions before refrigerating. This strategy allows faster cooling, prevents bacterial growth, and enables easier reheating without compromising the entire batch's quality.
• Shallow Storage Technique: Spread cassoulet in wide, shallow containers to accelerate cooling and prevent moisture buildup. Shallow storage ensures even temperature distribution and helps preserve the delicate texture of beans and meats.

Variations on Ina Garten Cassoulet

• Rustic Vegetarian Cassoulet: Replace meats with hearty portobello mushrooms, roasted eggplant, and white beans. Enhance flavor with smoked paprika and rosemary for a satisfying meatless version.
• Mediterranean Fish Cassoulet: Swap traditional meats with fresh white fish like cod or halibut. Add kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs like oregano to create a lighter seafood-inspired dish.
• Spicy Southern Cassoulet: Transform the recipe using andouille sausage, cajun spices, and adding bell peppers. Include green onions and cayenne pepper to bring bold, zesty flavors from Louisiana cuisine.
• Alpine Winter Cassoulet: Incorporate alpine-style ingredients like Swiss raclette cheese, pancetta, and root vegetables such as parsnips. Use juniper berries and thyme to create a rich, mountainous flavor profile.

A Quick Reflection on Ina Garten Cassoulet

Classic French cassoulet transforms kitchens into Parisian culinary sanctuaries, blending rustic charm with sophisticated flavors.

Ina Garten’s masterful recipe celebrates traditional techniques, balancing hearty proteins with aromatic herbs and slow-cooked beans.

Sophisticated home chefs discover complex layers of taste in each carefully prepared bite.

Mediterranean influences shine through tender meats and rich, comforting textures.

Culinary adventurers encounter a symphony of carefully crafted ingredients that honor French countryside cooking.

When passionate cooks embrace this recipe, regional French traditions come alive on dinner plates – compelling you to savor, share this remarkable dish with friends, comment on its intricate preparation, and inspire fellow kitchen enthusiasts to explore classic French cuisine.

Ina Garten Cassoulet Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s classic French cassoulet marries rustic Provençal traditions with rich, hearty flavors. Slow-cooked white beans, tender duck confit, and savory sausages create a remarkable culinary journey that brings comfort and elegance to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 3 pounds boneless lamb leg or pork shoulder
• 1 pound Polish or bratwurst sausage
• 4 duck or chicken legs, cut into two pieces

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 ½ cups large dice Spanish onions
• 1 ½ cups large dice carrots
• 1 ½ cups large dice celery
• 4 fresh tomatoes, large dice
• 6 bay leaves

Herbs, Spices, and Other Ingredients:

• 1 pound navy beans, soaked overnight
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 5 cups water or chicken bouillon
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup fresh marjoram leaves, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup + 1/8 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons clarified butter
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Salt and ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 375°F (190°C). Carefully remove excess skin from the poultry, then crisp it in the oven for approximately 15 minutes. Create a crispy topping by pulverizing the dried skin with breadcrumbs, olive oil, and finely chopped thyme leaves. Reserve this mixture for later use.
2. Select a heavy-bottomed skillet and melt clarified butter over medium-high heat. Meticulously sear the selected meats – duck, lamb, and sausage – until a rich, golden-brown crust forms. Carefully transfer the browned proteins to a spacious roasting pan.
3. Utilize the same skillet to caramelize diced onions, chopped carrots, and sliced celery until they develop a deep, rich color. Introduce diced tomatoes, robust red wine, and water to the vegetable medley. Bring the liquid to a vigorous boil, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4. Thoroughly drain the pre-soaked navy beans and incorporate them into the vegetable mixture along with fragrant herbs. Gently pour this aromatic combination over the arranged meats in the roasting pan. Securely cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and slow-roast in the oven for approximately 3 hours, or until the meats reach a meltingly tender consistency.
5. Delicately remove the meats from the roasting pan. Strain the cooking liquid from the beans and vegetables. Partially puree a portion of the mixture to create a luxuriously thick sauce. Fine-tune the seasoning to taste. Artfully arrange the sliced meats atop the beans, generously sprinkle the reserved crispy skin mixture, and briefly broil until the topping achieves a light golden-brown hue.

Notes

• Capture the essence of French countryside cooking with this transformative one-pot marvel that turns humble ingredients into a luxurious feast.
• Dried duck or chicken skin becomes a crispy, flavor-packed breadcrumb topping that elevates the entire dish with a delightful crunch.
• Searing meats unlocks deep caramelization, infusing every bite with intense, complex flavor profiles that dance on your palate.
• Slow-cooking magic transforms navy beans into a creamy, protein-rich foundation that anchors this rustic Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece.
• Fresh herbs and wine weave sophisticated aromatics throughout the dish, turning a simple peasant recipe into a gourmet experience.
• Strategic broiling creates a golden-brown crust that provides the perfect textural contrast to the tender, flavor-packed ingredients beneath.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 660
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 42 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg