Here is a detailed (long) recipe for 🇫🇷 — the famous slow-cooked French beef stew:
🥩 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
For the beef:
1 kg (2 lb) beef chuck, cut into large cubes
Salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons flour
For cooking:
150 g (5 oz) bacon, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
3 carrots, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Liquids:
2 cups (500 ml) dry red wine
1 cup (250 ml) beef broth
Herbs:
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon thyme
Vegetables added later:
200 g mushrooms, sliced
12–15 small pearl onions
1 tablespoon butter
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the beef
Pat beef dry with paper towel.
Season with salt and pepper.
Sprinkle flour lightly over the meat.
This helps thicken the sauce later.
2️⃣ Cook the bacon
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven.
Cook chopped bacon until crispy.
Remove and set aside.
3️⃣ Brown the beef (important step ⭐)
In the same pot, add olive oil.
Brown beef in batches (do NOT overcrowd).
Cook until deeply golden on all sides.
This builds rich flavor.
4️⃣ Cook vegetables
In the same pot, sauté onions and carrots for about 5 minutes.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Stir in tomato paste and cook 2 minutes.
5️⃣ Add liquids and simmer
Return beef and bacon to the pot.
Pour in red wine and broth.
Add bay leaf and thyme.
Bring to a simmer.
Cover and cook on LOW heat for: 👉 2½ – 3 hours (until beef is very tender)
6️⃣ Cook mushrooms & pearl onions
In a pan, melt butter.
Sauté mushrooms and pearl onions until golden.
Add them to the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
7️⃣ Finish the sauce
Taste and adjust salt & pepper.
Sauce should be thick and rich.
If too thin: simmer uncovered 10–15 minutes.
🍽️ How to Serve
Traditionally served with:
Mashed potatoes 🥔
Crusty bread 🍞
Rice or noodles
⭐ Cooking Tips (Secret for Best Flavor)
Use good quality dry red wine (not sweet).
Cook slowly — low heat = tender meat.
It tastes even BETTER the next day!
If you want, I can also give you: 👉 A quick 1-hour version
👉 A no-wine halal version
👉 A slow cooker recipe
Just tell me 🙂
Beef Bourguignon
