Savory French Elegance: The Cozy Beef Bourguignon Recipe

Simmering with rich flavor, this beef bourguignon captures the essence of rustic French cuisine.

Hearty and comforting, the dish tells a story of slow-cooked tradition passed through generations.

Tender meat melts into a robust sauce that promises pure culinary magic.

A kitchen filled with aromas that transport you to the countryside of Burgundy.

Each ingredient works in harmony, creating a symphony of depth and complexity.Rag├╣ lovers will appreciate the intricate balance of wine-soaked beef and caramelized vegetables.

You can practically taste the love stirred into every spoonful.

One bite promises to make this classic recipe your new weekend masterpiece.

Ingredients For Beef Bourguignon Recipe

• Beef Chuck Roast: A tender, flavorful cut perfect for slow-cooking stews with rich marbling and deep beef taste. Choose well-marbled meat for maximum tenderness.
• Pancetta: Adds a salty, rich flavor and crispy texture to the dish. Italian-style cured pork belly provides depth to the stew.

• Onions, Carrots, Garlic: Classic flavor base that creates a robust foundation for the stew. Yellow onions work best for deep, sweet undertones.
• Pearl Onions or Potatoes: Adds heartiness and helps thicken the stew. Pearl onions provide a delicate, sweet touch.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates and deepens the flavor profile with rich tomato essence.

• Red Wine: Burgundy or Pinot Noir preferred for authentic French flavor. Provides acidity and complexity to the stew.
• Beef Broth: Creates a rich liquid base with intense meat flavor. Homemade or high-quality store-bought works well.
• Bay Leaf, Thyme: Classic herbs that infuse earthy, aromatic notes into the dish.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.

• Olive Oil: For searing and sautéing ingredients with a light, smooth flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps brown mushrooms.
• All-Purpose Flour: Used for coating beef to create a nice sear and help thicken the sauce.
• Mushrooms: Adds an earthy, umami element to the final dish.

Steps To Cook Beef Bourguignon Recipe The Right Way

Step 1: Prepare Succulent Beef Cubes

Using clean paper towels, thoroughly dry beef chunks. Generously sprinkle with salt and pepper. Gently coat beef pieces in flour, carefully shaking off excess powder.

Step 2: Create Golden Beef Sear

Heat olive oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high flame. Brown beef chunks in batches, ensuring each side develops a rich caramel-like crust. Work carefully to achieve maximum flavor development. Transfer seared beef to a separate plate.

Step 3: Develop Flavor Foundation

In the same cooking vessel, crisp pancetta until edges turn delightfully crunchy. Remove pancetta and set aside. Add additional olive oil to pot.

• Chopped onions
• Sliced carrots

Cook until vegetables soften and become translucent. Introduce minced garlic and tomato paste, stirring quickly to prevent burning.

Step 4: Unleash Wine Magic

Pour red wine into the pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape delicious browned bits from bottom. Allow liquid to simmer and reduce slightly, concentrating incredible flavor profiles.

Step 5: Assemble Hearty Stew

• Beef broth
• Bay leaf
• Fresh thyme sprigs
• Diced potatoes or pearl onions

Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 6: Slow Cooking Transformation

Cover pot and transfer to preheated oven at 325°F. Allow stew to slowly cook and tenderize for 2.5 to 3 hours. Meat should become meltingly soft and easily pulled apart.

Step 7: Elevate With Mushrooms

In a separate skillet, saute mushrooms in butter. Cook until golden brown edges develop and intense flavor emerges.

Step 8: Final Flavor Fusion

Fold sauteed mushrooms into stew. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired.

Step 9: Delicious Presentation

• Crusty artisan bread
• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Buttered egg noodles

Enjoy your culinary masterpiece!

Tips For Tender Beef Bourguignon Recipe

• Optimize Meat Selection: Choose well-marbled chuck roast or beef shoulder for maximum tenderness and rich flavor in your Beef Bourguignon.
• Perfectly Dry Beef: Ensure meat is completely dry before flouring to achieve a beautiful golden-brown sear that locks in delicious flavors.
• Wine Wisdom: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Burgundy or Pinot Noir that you'd enjoy drinking to enhance the stew's depth and complexity.
• Slow Cooking Magic: Maintain a low, consistent oven temperature to break down tough meat fibers, creating melt-in-your-mouth beef that's incredibly tender.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare the stew a day in advance, as flavors develop and intensify overnight, making your Beef Bourguignon even more delectable when reheated.

How To Store And Reheat Beef Bourguignon Recipe

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover Beef Bourguignon to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the stew completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Portion the cooled stew into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheat on Stovetop: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then gently warm in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and add a splash of broth if the stew seems dry to maintain its rich, tender texture.
• Microwave Option: For quick reheating, place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute warmth evenly and prevent hot spots.

Best Pairings With Beef Bourguignon Recipe

• Sip Burgundy Red Wine: Pair this classic French beef stew with a robust Burgundy red wine like Pinot Noir, which mirrors the recipe's red wine base and complements the rich, tender beef flavors.
• Spread Garlic Herb Butter: Serve alongside crusty French baguette slices spread with homemade garlic herb butter to soak up the delicious stew sauce and add an extra layer of richness.
• Choose Creamy Sides: Accompany the Beef Bourguignon with smooth mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles that perfectly capture and enhance the deep, savory sauce from the stew.
• Toss Fresh Herb Salad: Create a light green salad with fresh herbs like parsley and chives, dressed in a light vinaigrette to cut through the hearty beef dish and provide a refreshing contrast.

Flavored Twists On Beef Bourguignon Recipe

• Rustic Herb Infusion: Replace thyme with rosemary and add fresh sage for an earthy, aromatic flavor profile that brings a robust countryside feel to the classic dish.
• Spicy Mediterranean Kick: Incorporate chorizo instead of pancetta, and add smoked paprika and red pepper flakes to create a zesty, warming version with Spanish-inspired undertones.
• Lighter White Wine Approach: Swap red wine for white wine and use chicken instead of beef for a delicate, less intense rendition that keeps the core cooking technique intact.
• Root Vegetable Enrichment: Expand the vegetable mix by adding parsnips, celery root, and turnips to increase nutritional depth and provide a more complex vegetable foundation for the stew.

Why Beef Bourguignon Recipe Feels Like A French Classic At Home

• Savor Rich Flavor Complexity: Beef Bourguignon delivers an extraordinary taste journey with deep, layered flavor profiles from perfectly seared beef, caramelized vegetables, and red wine reduction.
• Master Classic French Culinary Technique: This recipe allows home cooks to experience traditional slow-cooking methods that transform simple ingredients into an elegant, restaurant-quality dish through patient braising.
• Enjoy Comforting Hearty Texture: Tender beef chunks melting in your mouth, combined with soft vegetables and silky sauce, create an incredibly satisfying and warming meal perfect for cold evenings or special gatherings.
• Celebrate One-Pot Convenience: Minimal cleanup and straightforward cooking steps make this gourmet French classic surprisingly accessible, allowing you to impress family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen.

FAQs On Beef Bourguignon Recipe

• What makes Beef Bourguignon different from other beef stews?

Beef Bourguignon is a classic French dish that stands out due to its rich, deep flavors developed through slow cooking in red wine, which tenderizes the meat and creates an incredibly complex taste profile unique to traditional French cuisine.

• Why do I need to pat the beef dry before cooking?

Patting the beef dry helps achieve a perfect sear by removing excess moisture. Dry meat browns more effectively, creating a delicious caramelized crust that locks in flavor and provides a beautiful golden-brown exterior.

• Is it important to sear the beef in batches?

Yes, absolutely! Searing in batches prevents overcrowding the pot, which would cause the meat to steam instead of brown. Proper browning develops a rich, deep flavor through the Maillard reaction, giving the stew its signature depth and complexity.

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

While traditional Beef Bourguignon uses Burgundy wine, you can use other full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. The key is choosing a wine you’d enjoy drinking, as its flavor will concentrate during cooking and significantly impact the final taste of the dish.

Beef Bourguignon Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty beef bourguignon brings French countryside comfort to dinner tables with rich, wine-infused beef slowly braised to tender perfection. Rustic elegance meets culinary tradition, inviting you to savor each luxurious, deeply flavored spoonful of this classic Burgundian stew.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein and Meat:

• 2.5 pounds (1.1 kg) beef chuck or stew meat, cut into 2-inch cubes
• 4 ounces (115 g) pancetta or bacon, diced

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound (450 g) baby potatoes or pearl onions
• 0.5 pound (225 g) mushrooms, quartered

Seasoning and Liquid Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups (480 ml) dry red wine (such as Burgundy or Pinot Noir)
• 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)

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Instructions

1. Meticulously dry the beef cubes with kitchen towels, then generously season with salt and black pepper. Dust the meat with a light coating of flour, ensuring even coverage while shaking off excess.
2. Heat a robust Dutch oven with olive oil over intense medium-high heat. Methodically sear beef chunks, creating a rich caramelized exterior on all sides. Work in batches to prevent overcrowding, which would steam instead of brown the meat.
3. Using the same pot, render the pancetta until crisp and golden. Transfer the pancetta to a separate plate. Introduce additional olive oil and gently caramelize the onions and carrots until they become translucent and soft.
4. Incorporate minced garlic and tomato paste, stirring rapidly to prevent burning. Allow the aromatics to release their fragrant essence for approximately one minute.
5. Deglaze the pot with full-bodied red wine, vigorously scraping the flavorful browned bits from the bottom. Let the liquid reduce and concentrate its robust flavors.
6. Reintroduce the seared beef and crispy pancetta to the pot. Pour in rich beef broth, nestling bay leaf and thyme sprigs among the ingredients. Add potatoes or pearl onions for additional texture and depth.
7. Cover the Dutch oven and transfer to a preheated oven at 325F. Allow the stew to slowly braise, transforming tough meat into tender, melt-in-your-mouth morsels over 2.5 to 3 hours.
8. Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, create golden-brown mushrooms by sautéing them in butter. Ensure they develop a beautiful caramelized exterior without overcrowding the pan.
9. Once the beef reaches exceptional tenderness, gently fold the sautéed mushrooms into the stew. Taste and adjust seasoning, balancing flavors with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
10. Discard the bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Ladle the luxurious Beef Bourguignon into warm serving dishes, accompanied by crusty bread, creamy mashed potatoes, or buttered egg noodles.

Notes

• Tenderize beef by patting it completely dry, ensuring a perfect sear that locks in rich, deep flavors and creates a gorgeous caramelized exterior.
• Use a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven for even heat distribution, preventing burning and promoting consistent cooking throughout the stew.
• Select a robust, full-bodied red wine like Burgundy or Pinot Noir to enhance the dish’s complex flavor profile, matching the traditional French cooking method.
• For gluten-free adaptation, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour when coating beef, maintaining the same crispy texture and browning potential.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg