Boeuf Bourguignon: Recipe Demo - Elegant French Beef Stew

red wine

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic wine

💰Cheaper: beef broth

Non-alcoholic wine maintains flavor without alcohol.

beef chuck

🥗Healthier: sirloin

💰Cheaper: round steak

Sirloin is leaner while round steak is more economical.

bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: smoked pork belly

Turkey bacon reduces fat while maintaining smokiness.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with bouillon

Vegetable broth offers a lighter option.

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Place sliced bacon in a large oval Dutch oven over medium heat to render the fat.

Once the bottom is filled with rendered fat, increase heat to medium-high and cook bacon for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly browned.

Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve.

Dry beef cubes with paper towels and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

In batches, sear the beef in the hot oil for 3 to 5 minutes, turning to brown on all sides, then set aside.

Add sliced carrots and diced onions to the pot with salt and pepper, cooking for 10 to 15 minutes until onions are lightly browned.

Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Stir in tomato paste and thyme, then add cognac and ignite with a match to burn off the alcohol.

Return the seared beef and reserved bacon to the pot with their collected juices, then add red wine and beef stock, ensuring the liquid almost covers the meat.

Bring to a simmer, cover with a tight-fitting lid or foil, and place in the oven for 1.5 hours or until meat and vegetables are very tender when pierced with a fork.

While the stew is cooking, sauté sliced white mushrooms in butter for 10 to 15 minutes until slightly browned, then set aside.

Combine butter and flour with fingers to form a paste.

After 1.5 hours, remove the pot from the oven and add the butter-flour mixture and frozen pearl onions to the stew, stirring well.

Bring the stew to a boil on the stovetop, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Season to taste and serve over butter and egg noodles, crispy bread, or creamy polenta.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary