Cozy Beef Bourguignon: A Flavor-Packed French Classic

Beef Bourguignon is a legendary French dish known for its rustic elegance and comforting taste.

This classic stew comes from the Burgundy region of France, where rich farming traditions have influenced remarkable cooking techniques.

Both seasoned cooks and beginners cherish this robust meal for its deep flavors and satisfying preparation process.

Burgundian dishes showcase a strong bond between ingredients, cooking styles, and cultural history, turning simple elements into extraordinary meals.

Meat slowly cooked in red wine offers a rich dining experience that embodies traditional French cooking.

For generations, families in France have enjoyed this wonderful recipe as a symbol of warmth, togetherness, and expert craftsmanship in the kitchen.

Twist Ideas For Beef Bourguignon

• Vegetarian Beef Bourguignon: Replace beef with hearty portobello mushrooms or seitan chunks, maintaining the rich wine-based sauce and slow-cooking technique for deep flavor complexity.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap wheat flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder for coating, use gluten-free tamari instead of traditional soy sauce, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Lamb Bourguignon Alternative: Substitute beef with tender lamb shoulder pieces, keeping the classic red wine braising method and traditional vegetable accompaniments for a rustic Mediterranean-inspired transformation.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Remove potatoes and noodles, serve over cauliflower mash or roasted turnips, reduce overall carbohydrate content while preserving the stew's robust flavor profile and tender meat texture.

All About Beef Bourguignon Questions

• Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute beef with lamb or pork. Choose cuts with good marbling like chuck roast or shoulder for the best results.

• Is it necessary to use red wine in Beef Bourguignon?

Red wine is crucial for authentic flavor. If you can’t use alcohol, replace with beef broth and add a splash of red wine vinegar for depth.

• How do I prevent the meat from becoming tough?

Always sear the meat at high heat first to lock in juices, then slow cook at a low temperature. Pat the beef dry before searing to ensure proper browning.

• What if I don't have an oven-safe pot?

You can use a Dutch oven or transfer the mixture to a slow cooker after searing. Ensure the cooking vessel can handle both stovetop and oven temperatures.

Why People Crave Beef Bourguignon

• Savor Culinary Adventure: This beef bourguignon offers an irresistible gourmet experience that transforms ordinary cooking into an extraordinary meal.
• Create French Elegance at Home: Master a classic French dish without requiring professional chef skills, bringing international cuisine right to your kitchen.
• Weekend Comfort Cooking: Perfect for leisurely weekend cooking, this recipe allows relaxed preparation with multiple delightful steps that build rich, complex flavors.
• Impressive Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for dinner parties and family gatherings, this hearty stew guarantees compliments and satisfies even the most discerning food lovers with its deep, robust taste profile.

What’s In Beef Bourguignon

• Beef Chuck Roast: Slow-cooking cut perfect for tender, rich stew meat with good marbling.
• Bacon or Salt Pork: Adds deep, smoky flavor and renders fat for initial cooking base.

• Pearl Onions: Small, sweet onions that become caramelized and tender in the stew.
• Carrots: Provides natural sweetness and hearty texture to the dish.
• Yellow Onions: Builds foundational flavor and adds depth to the stew.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances overall savory profile.

• Red Wine: Traditional Burgundy wine creates rich, complex flavor base.
• Beef Broth: Provides additional depth and moisture for braising.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates umami and helps thicken sauce.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb for garnishing and subtle flavor.
• Fresh Thyme: Classic herb that complements beef and adds earthy notes.
• Bay Leaves: Provides subtle background flavor during slow cooking.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken sauce and create smooth consistency.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps with sautéing and finishing.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and mushrooms.

• Button or Cremini Mushrooms: Adds earthy flavor and meaty texture to the stew.

Steps To Cook Beef Bourguignon

Step 1: Brown Smoky Bacon

Heat a large oven-safe pot over medium heat. Cook bacon until it releases delicious fat and turns golden brown. Remove bacon and keep the flavorful grease in the pot.

Step 2: Sear Robust Beef Chunks

Dry beef pieces with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Sear beef in batches until each piece develops a deep brown crust. Transfer to a plate.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

• Cooked bacon
• Butter
• Flour

Stir ingredients thoroughly, creating a rich coating. Cook for 1-2 minutes to develop deep flavors.

Step 4: Prepare Vegetable Medley

• Onions
• Carrots

Add garlic and cook briefly. Set vegetables aside.

Step 5: Concentrate Wine Essence

Use the same skillet to simmer wine, reducing liquid by approximately one cup.

Step 6: Build Stew Foundation

• Tomato paste
• Fresh parsley
• Thyme sprigs
• Bay leaves

Return pot to stovetop.

Step 7: Slow Roast

Cover pot and bake in oven at 300°F for 90 minutes.

Step 8: Incorporate Vegetables

Mix sautéed vegetables into stew. Continue cooking 60-90 minutes until beef becomes fork-tender.

Step 9: Caramelize Pearl Onions

Simmer frozen pearl onions with water, salt, and butter until golden.

Step 10: Crisp Mushrooms

Sauté mushrooms in butter and oil until beautifully browned.

Step 11: Final Touch

Remove herb stems and bay leaves. Blend pearl onions and mushrooms into stew. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 12: Elegant Serving

Ladle over creamy mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles. Enjoy this classic French comfort dish.

Beef Bourguignon Tips That Help

• Achieve Perfect Browning: Pat beef completely dry before searing to ensure a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in rich flavors and develops deep, caramelized notes.
• Master Wine Selection: Choose a robust Burgundy or pinot noir wine with good acidity to enhance the beef's complexity and create a more authentic French countryside taste.
• Control Meat Tenderness: Cut beef into uniform 2-inch cubes to guarantee even cooking and ensure each piece becomes meltingly tender during the slow braising process.
• Optimize Vegetable Texture: Sauté vegetables separately to prevent them from becoming mushy, maintaining their distinct flavors and preventing them from turning soggy during long cooking times.
• Elevate Final Presentation: Allow stew to rest for 15-20 minutes after cooking to let flavors meld and sauce thicken naturally, creating a more luxurious and cohesive dining experience.

How To Store Beef Bourguignon Safely

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled beef bourguignon to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Pack leftovers in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air, and freeze for 2-3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Reheat Stovetop: Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add a splash of broth if mixture seems dry.
• Microwave: Portion out leftovers in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.

Tasty Pairings For Beef Bourguignon

• Pair with Bold Red Burgundy Wine: A classic Burgundy like Pinot Noir perfectly matches the rich, savory flavors of this French beef stew, complementing its deep wine-based sauce and enhancing the meat's richness.
• Create Rustic Potato Accompaniment: Creamy mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles provide a smooth, comforting base that absorbs the delicious bourguignon sauce, creating a harmonious and satisfying meal experience.
• Serve with Fresh Green Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing cuts through the stew's heaviness, offering a refreshing contrast and balancing the rich, hearty flavors of the beef bourguignon.
• Add Crusty French Bread: Warm, crusty baguette slices are perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce, adding texture and allowing diners to enjoy every last drop of this delectable dish.

Soulful Beef Bourguignon Recipe

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4.9 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty French classic Beef Bourguignon brings rustic elegance to your dinner table with rich, slow-cooked beef simmered in red wine. Succulent meat and deep flavors welcome you to savor a timeless culinary journey through the French countryside.

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Ingredients

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Meat and Protein:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) chuck roast, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 8 ounces (226 grams) bacon or salt pork
• 14 ounces (397 grams) frozen pearl onions

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 pound (454 grams) carrots (about 7-8), chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 6 cloves garlic, smashed and sliced
• 1 pound (454 grams) mushrooms, halved or quartered
• 6 fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 bay leaves

Liquids, Seasonings, and Extras:

• 3 cups (750 milliliters) red wine
• 2–4 cups beef bone broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Salt and black pepper
• Oil for searing
• 1 tablespoon butter
• ⅓ cup flour
• 2 cups water
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

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Instructions

1. Render the bacon or salt pork in a spacious, oven-compatible vessel over medium flame until achieving a golden hue without turning crisp. Extract the meat, preserving the rendered fat within the cooking vessel.
2. Meticulously dry the beef cuts, apply seasoning, and methodically sear in multiple batches to develop a rich caramelized exterior. Transfer the browned protein to a separate plate.
3. Reintroduce all beef into the pot, incorporating the reserved bacon, butter, and flour. Thoroughly coat the ingredients and allow to toast briefly, developing depth of flavor.
4. Simultaneously, create a vegetable medley by gently sweating onions and carrots in a separate skillet until slightly translucent. Introduce minced garlic and allow to bloom for a brief moment before setting aside.
5. Deglaze the pan with wine, allowing the liquid to concentrate and reduce, intensifying its aromatic qualities.
6. Consolidate the components by pouring the reduced wine into the beef pot. Incorporate broth, tomato paste, herbs, and return the vessel to the cooking surface.
7. Transfer the pot to a preheated oven, maintaining a consistent temperature, and allow the stew to gently braise and tenderize.
8. After initial cooking, fold in the prepared vegetable mixture, continuing the slow-cooking process until the meat reaches ultimate tenderness.
9. Prepare pearl onions by gently simmering with liquid and butter, creating a golden, glossy exterior.
10. Parallel to the onion preparation, brown mushrooms in batches, developing a rich, caramelized surface.
11. Finalize the stew by removing herb stems, incorporating the pearl onions and mushrooms. Adjust seasoning to enhance the complex flavor profile.
12. Present the luxurious stew atop creamy mashed potatoes or delicate egg noodles, offering a rustic and comforting dining experience.

Notes

• Ensure beef is thoroughly dried before searing to achieve a deep, caramelized brown crust that locks in rich flavors.
• Use a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or cast-iron pot for even heat distribution and superior browning.
• Choose a full-bodied red wine like Burgundy or Pinot Noir to enhance the deep, complex taste profile of the dish.
• Cut beef into uniform chunks to guarantee consistent cooking and tender texture

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg