Hearty French-Style Beef Stew with Red Wine and Vegetables Recipe

Crafting a hearty beef bourguignon reveals culinary magic that transports you straight to the rustic kitchens of Burgundy.

Aromatic herbs and robust red wine mingle with tender meat, creating a symphony of flavors.

Slow-cooked chunks of beef surrender their toughness to a luxurious sauce that whispers comfort.

Earthy mushrooms and pearl onions dance alongside the meat, adding depth and richness to every spoonful.

Generations of french home cooks have perfected this classic dish, turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Subtle layers of taste unfold with each bite, promising a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

You’ll want to savor every moment of this soul-satisfying stew.

FAQs For French-Style Beef Stew With Red Wine And Vegetables

• What makes French-style beef stew different from other beef stews?

French-style beef stew uses red wine for braising, creates deeper flavor through browning meat, and incorporates classic French ingredients like pearl onions and bacon for rich, complex taste.

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

While beef is traditional, you can substitute with lamb or veal for similar results. Just ensure the meat is cut into similar-sized cubes and has enough fat content to become tender during slow cooking.

• Is this recipe considered authentic French cuisine?

This recipe follows traditional French braising techniques like using wine, slowly cooking meat, and building layers of flavor through careful preparation steps. It represents a classic French country-style stew known as boeuf bourguignon.

Why People Love French-Style Beef Stew With Red Wine And Vegetables

• Create Culinary Magic: Transform simple ingredients into a mouthwatering French-style beef stew that impresses with deep, rich flavors and professional-level cooking techniques.
• Master Slow-Cooking Comfort: Enjoy a hearty one-pot meal that develops incredible depth through patient braising, letting beef become incredibly tender and vegetables soak up delicious wine-infused broth.
• Crowd-Pleasing Gourmet Experience: Prepare a restaurant-quality dish that brings sophisticated French countryside cooking directly to your dining table, perfect for family gatherings or intimate dinner parties with minimal complicated steps.
• Adaptable Cooking Method: Seamlessly transition between stovetop and oven, allowing flexible preparation that suits busy home cooks while delivering complex, sophisticated results without demanding advanced culinary skills.

What You’ll Need For French-Style Beef Stew With Red Wine And Vegetables

• Beef: A rich, tender meat that forms the hearty base of this classic French stew.
• Bacon: Adds a smoky depth of flavor and crispy texture to the dish.

• Onion, Pearl Onions: Provide a sweet and mild onion flavor that enhances the overall taste of the stew.
• Carrots: Contribute a subtle sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
• Garlic: Offers a pungent and aromatic foundation for the stew's flavor profile.
• Mushrooms: Bring an earthy and umami dimension to the recipe.

• Red Wine: Adds complexity and richness to the stew's flavor.
• Beef Stock: Creates a deep, savory base for the stew.
• Bay Leaf, Thyme: Provide traditional French herbal notes and aromatic depth.
• Tomato Paste: Offers a concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste.
• Flour: Helps to thicken the stew and create a rich, velvety texture.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Add richness and help with sautéing the vegetables and mushrooms.

Cooking Steps For French-Style Beef Stew With Red Wine And Vegetables

Step 1: Prep The Cooking Environment

Set your oven to warm at 350°F. Grab a large Dutch oven for your cooking adventure.

Step 2: Cook Crispy Bacon Bits

Toss bacon into the pot over medium heat. Cook until deliciously crispy and golden.

Remove bacon and keep the wonderful fat in the pot.

Step 3: Sear Succulent Beef

Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper.

Brown the meat in batches using the bacon fat, creating a rich caramelized exterior. Set browned beef aside.

Step 4: Build Flavor Foundation

• Chopped onions
• Carrots

• Minced garlic
• Tomato paste

Cook for one minute to release aromatic flavors.

Step 5: Create Thickening Base

Dust vegetables with flour. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste.

Step 6: Develop Liquid Complexity

• Beef stock
• Bay leaf
• Fresh thyme

Reintroduce beef and bacon to the pot.

Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 7: Slow Roast To Perfection

Cover Dutch oven and transfer to oven.

Roast for 2.5 hours, stirring midway to ensure even cooking.

Step 8: Enhance With Earthy Mushrooms

In a separate skillet, combine butter and olive oil.

• Mushrooms
• Pearl onions

Cook until golden and caramelized, about 8 minutes.

Step 9: Final Flavor Fusion

Add mushroom mixture to stew during last 30 minutes of cooking.

Step 10: Serve With Finesse

Remove thyme and bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Serve hot and enjoy your French-inspired masterpiece.

Helpful Hints For French-Style Beef Stew With Red Wine And Vegetables

• Sear beef in batches for deeper flavor development and avoid overcrowding the pot, which steams meat instead of browning.
• Choose a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Burgundy to enhance the stew's rich, complex taste and tenderize the meat.
• Pat beef dry before seasoning to ensure perfect caramelization and create a beautiful golden-brown exterior during browning.
• Let the stew rest for 15-20 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld and meat to become more tender and juicy.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, as the flavors will continue to improve overnight.

Tasty Twists On French-Style Beef Stew With Red Wine And Vegetables

• Mediterranean Lamb Variation: Replace beef with tender lamb shoulder, swap red wine for white wine, and add rosemary and oregano for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Smoky Chorizo Rendition: Substitute bacon with Spanish chorizo, use smoked paprika, and include roasted red peppers for a deeper, spicier southern European taste.
• Rustic Root Vegetable Edition: Incorporate parsnips, turnips, and celery root alongside carrots, creating a heartier winter stew with enhanced earthy undertones.
• Herb-Infused Country Style: Introduce fresh herbs like sage and marjoram, include diced celery, and finish with a sprinkle of gremolata for bright, fresh notes.

What To Serve With French-Style Beef Stew With Red Wine And Vegetables

• Pair Robust Red Wine: Select a full-bodied Burgundy or Cabernet Sauvignon that matches the rich, hearty flavors of the beef stew, enhancing the wine's tannins and the dish's deep, complex taste.
• Serve Crusty French Bread: Provide warm, rustic baguette slices to soak up the delicious wine-infused sauce, allowing diners to enjoy every last drop of the flavorful braising liquid.
• Complement with Creamy Potato Gratin: Create a smooth, cheesy side dish that balances the stew's intense meaty profile, adding a luxurious texture and mild, comforting flavor to the meal.

How To Store French-Style Beef Stew With Red Wine And Vegetables Properly

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool stew completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for 2-3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Microwave Reheating: Place stew in microwave-safe dish. Cover with microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Stovetop Reheating: Pour stew into saucepan. Add splash of beef stock or water to prevent drying. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated thoroughly. Stir gently to maintain meat tenderness.

French-Style Beef Stew with Red Wine and Vegetables Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty French beef stew brings rustic Burgundy comfort to dinner tables with tender meat simmered in rich red wine. Fragrant herbs and robust vegetables create a soul-warming dish that connects you with classic French countryside cooking.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb (454 grams) cremini mushrooms, halved
• 12 pearl onions, peeled

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 cups dry red wine
• 2 cups beef stock
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare all ingredients and equipment, ensuring the oven is precisely heated to 350°F for optimal cooking.
2. Render bacon in a Dutch oven until crisp and golden, extracting maximum flavor from the fat, then reserve the bacon pieces.
3. Pat beef chunks dry, season thoroughly, and sear in the bacon drippings until a rich, caramelized crust forms on each piece.
4. Introduce chopped onions and carrots to the pot, sweating them until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
5. Incorporate minced garlic and tomato paste, stirring vigorously to develop a deep, complex flavor profile.
6. Dust vegetables with flour, creating a light coating that will help thicken the stew’s sauce during cooking.
7. Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping accumulated browned bits from the bottom to capture intense flavor concentrations.
8. Pour beef stock into the mixture, adding bay leaf and thyme sprigs for aromatic depth.
9. Return seared beef and crispy bacon to the liquid, ensuring all ingredients are well-distributed.
10. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover and transfer to the preheated oven for approximately 2.5 hours.
11. Midway through cooking, gently stir the stew to prevent sticking and ensure even heat distribution.
12. Separately sauté mushrooms and pearl onions in a combination of butter and olive oil until beautifully caramelized.
13. Introduce the golden mushrooms and onions during the final 30 minutes of cooking to preserve their texture.
14. Once cooking is complete, remove herb sprigs, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
15. Allow the stew to rest briefly before serving, which helps flavors meld and intensify.

Notes

• Choose a robust, full-bodied red wine like Burgundy or Cabernet Sauvignon to enhance the rich flavor profile of the stew.
• Pat the beef dry before browning to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust that seals in moisture and develops deep, complex flavors.
• Allow extra cooking time for tougher cuts like chuck roast, which become incredibly tender and melt-in-your-mouth when slow-cooked.
• For a gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder as a thickening agent, maintaining the stew’s luxurious texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg