Bourguignon-Style Hearty Beef Stew Recipe
Nothing beats a warm bowl of rich, savory beef stew on a chilly evening! ๐ง️ This French-inspired dish combines tender beef, smoky bacon, hearty veggies, and a velvety sauce that’s bursting with flavor. ๐ท
๐ Ingredients for Your Culinary Adventure
๐ Here’s what you’ll need:
- ๐ฅ 5 strips of bacon: Smoky goodness in every bite.
- ๐ฅฉ 3 ½ lbs beef chuck, cut into 2" pieces: The star of the show!
- ๐ง 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided: For that buttery richness.
- ๐ง 1 yellow onion, chopped: Adds depth to the flavor.
- ๐ฅ 8 small baby potatoes: Comfort food essentials.
- ๐ฅ 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped: Sweet and earthy goodness.
- ๐ง 5 garlic cloves, minced: The aromatic hero!
- ๐ 2 tablespoons tomato paste: For that rich, hearty base.
- ๐พ 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Thickens up the magic.
- ๐ 2 cups beef stock: The liquid gold.
- ๐ฅ 1 tablespoon Better than Bouillon beef bouillon: Extra umami boost!
- ๐ฟ 2 sprigs fresh thyme: Herbaceous perfection.
- ๐ 2 bay leaves: Dried or fresh—it’s up to you.
- ๐ง 10 oz frozen pearl onions, defrosted and drained: Sweet bursts of flavor.
- ๐ 16 oz cremini mushrooms, quartered: Earthy and delicious.
- ๐ง Kosher salt & freshly cracked pepper: To season the magic.
๐ณ Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the Oven
๐ฅ Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). We’re gearing up for some slow-cooked magic! ๐ฐ️✨ - Sizzle the Bacon
In a Dutch oven, render the bacon ๐ฅ over medium-low heat until it’s golden and crispy. Scoop it out with a slotted spoon and set aside. (Try not to eat it all!) ๐ - Sear the Beef
Season the beef chunks generously with kosher salt and cracked pepper. Sear them in the same pot over medium-high heat until they’re browned on all sides. Remove and set aside. ๐ฅฉ๐ - Sautรฉ the Veggies
Add 2 tablespoons of butter ๐ง to the pot. Toss in the chopped onions, baby potatoes ๐ฅ, and carrots ๐ฅ. Sautรฉ for about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the garlic ๐ง and let it cook for another minute. - Build the Base
Mix in the tomato paste ๐ and let it caramelize for 2-3 minutes until it darkens. Sprinkle in the flour ๐พ and stir until it coats the veggies evenly. - Add the Liquid Gold
Pour in the beef stock ๐ and the Better than Bouillon beef bouillon ๐ฅ. Scrape up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot—it’s where the flavor lives! ๐ฅฐ - Assemble and Cook
Return the seared beef ๐ฅฉ and crispy bacon ๐ฅ to the pot. Add the thyme ๐ฟ and bay leaves ๐. Let the mixture come to a simmer. Cover and transfer the pot to the preheated oven. Bake for 2 ½ hours. ⏳ - Sautรฉ the Mushrooms and Onions
In a separate skillet, melt the remaining butter ๐ง and sautรฉ the quartered cremini mushrooms ๐ and pearl onions ๐ง until golden and fragrant. Season to taste. - Combine and Finish
Add the sautรฉed mushrooms and pearl onions to the stew. Let everything cook together for an additional 45-60 minutes, or until the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender. ๐
๐ก Pro Tips for Stew Success
- ๐ Use a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven for even cooking.
- ๐ Don’t rush the searing—it locks in flavor! ๐ฅ
- ๐ Serve with crusty bread ๐ฅ or creamy mashed potatoes for the ultimate pairing.
๐ Why You’ll Love It
- ๐ French-Inspired Elegance: A dish that feels fancy but is easy to make.
- ๐ Rich, Hearty Flavors: Perfect for cozy nights by the fire. ๐ฅ
- ๐ Crowd-Pleaser: Great for dinner parties or family gatherings!
Bon Appรฉtit! ๐ท
Ready to serve? Ladle your Bourguignon-Style Hearty Beef Stew into bowls, pair it with a glass of red wine ๐ท, and savor every flavorful bite. ๐ฅ✨
