Beef Bourguignon Recipe (2024)

Published | Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

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Beef Bourguignonis one of the few recipes everyone needs to know how to cook! Tender beef braised in red wine with onions and carrots and flavoured with bouquet garni, this French beef stew is the epitome of comfort food made easy!

For more stew recipes, check out our Coq au Vin Blanc or Chicken Chasseur.

Beef Bourguignon Recipe (1)

I used to work with a lot of French youth, which gave me a lot of opportunities to get their informed opinions about recipes to share. They were always adamant that Beef Bourguignon is a recipe that needed to find space on this site!

One taste will tell you why they are so passionate about this classic dish. The combination of tender beef and vegetables with herbs in a rich wine sauce is inspired!

Developing my own version of a beef bourguignon recipe was quite easy as it is basically a beef version of my very popular classic coq au vin. It has since become a huge favourite, easy to cook but unbelievably delicious!

Beef Bourguignon Recipe (2)

The Ingredients

There are many recipes out there and I am sharing my take on this French classic, something that works for me. I would encourage you to follow this recipe but also to make necessary adjustments to suit your family’s tastes.

For example, many beef bourguignon recipes include pearl onions. The truth is that eating a whole onion, no matter how small, would never fly with my kids so I omitted them.

Beef Bourguignon Recipe (3)

Mushrooms are also a permanent fixture in most beef bourguignon recipes but also got cut! Although I am a mushroom lover, they are not! My point is add or remove anything you like or don’t like.

Cooking time would also depend on your oven temperature, how large your beef pieces are (I like mine large!), and how tender you’d like your meat to be. My advice to you is to taste and make adjustments.

Beef Bourguignon Recipe (4)

What wine to use

The wine that this flavourful stew is cooked in is traditionally Burgundy, which might not be readily available where you live.

Red and full-bodied wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon is a good choice for this dish. It should be a decent drinking wine but don’t break the bank on it!

Beef Bourguignon Recipe (5)

Recipe Tips and Notes

  • Searing the beef will contribute to a richer flavour. It should be nice and brown on all sides.
  • The cooking time will need to be shortened or extended depending on how tender your meat is since oven temperatures vary. Check the meat as it cooks until you are happy with how tender is is.
  • I omitted mushrooms and pearl onions from this recipe but both are included in classic beef bourguignon.
Beef Bourguignon Recipe (6)

What to serve with beef bourguignon

Mashed potatoes is my number one choice when it comes to beef bourguignon. Also lemon garlic greens beans and a slice of thick sourdough bread go extremely well with this flavourful beef stew.

More classic French recipes

  • Coq au vin
  • Chicken Provencal
  • French Chicken Casserole a la Normande
  • Chicken in Wine and Mustard Sauce

Beef Bourguignon Recipe (7)

How to Make Beef Bourguignon

Julia Frey of Vikalinka

Tender beef braised in red wine with onions and carrots and flavoured with bouquet garni.

5 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine French

Servings 6 -8

Calories 368 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs / 900g stewing beef or rump roasting joint cut into 2 inch cubes
  • 500 ml / 2 cups red wine
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 50 g bacon lardons/ 2-3 strips bacon chopped
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2-3 tbsp flour
  • 1 cup baby carrots/2 large carrots cut into 2 inch pieces
  • Up to 1 cup/ 250 ml beef stock optional
  • 1 prepared bouquet garni or 3 parsley stalks 3 thyme sprigs, 2 bay leaves tied together
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Parsley chopped

Instructions

  • The night before combine beef and wine in an air tight container or a ziplock bag and marinade overnight.

  • When ready to cook take the beef out and lightly dab the pieces with paper towel to absorb the liquid, salt and pepper them, then set aside for a moment, reserve the wine the meat was marinated in.

  • Preheat the oven to 300F/160C

  • Heat the olive oil in a heavy cast iron pot and cook the bacon lardons until they render fat, remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl.

  • In the same pot brown beef over medium-high heat, do so in batches to avoid overcrowding and steaming. The beef should be nicely browned on each side but not cooked all the way through, approximately 2-3 minutes on each side depending on how high the heat is. Remove the browned beef to the same bowl as bacon.

  • Now add chopped onion to the pan and cook over low heat for 5-7 minutes until tender and translucent, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute stirring constantly to prevent garlic from burning or it will turn bitter.

  • Return the beef and bacon bits back to the pan, add carrots, flour and stir, cook for a minute to ensure all flour got saturated in the fat in the pan, then add reserved wine and enough beef stock to cover the beef, add your bouquet garni and bring to a boil, then cover with a lid and put in the preheated oven for 2 hours.

  • After two hours check on the liquid in the pot, it should remain at the same level. Put the beef back in the oven with the lid off to allow the liquid to reduce and thicken, cook for 1 to 1.5 hours for tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef. Taste and add more salt if needed.

  • Serve sprinkled with additional chopped parsley over mashed potatoes or noodles.

Nutrition

Calories: 368kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 39gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 821mgPotassium: 709mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 3131IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 6mg

Keyword beef bourguignon

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About Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.
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Beef Bourguignon Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What cut of meat is best for beef bourguignon? ›

What Is the Best Meat to Use for Beef Bourguignon? Beef bourguignon typically features both pork—in the form of lardons, small strips of fatty, thick-cut bacon—and stewing beef, usually beef chuck diced into 2-inch cubes, though any lean cut (like brisket) is acceptable.

What's the difference between beef stew and beef bourguignon? ›

Both beef bourguignon and beef stew are delicious! It's all in preparation. Stew is a cooking method, and beef bourguignon is a classic French dish that uses beef stewed in wine to create its characteristic flavor. The difference between stew and beef bourguignon is not just one of taste but also one of the methods.

Which red wine is best for beef bourguignon? ›

Red Burgundy is the traditional match for Beef Bourguignon, Merlot dominated blends from both Australia and Bordeaux. Red Bordeaux in particular, can be enjoyed more fully. A weighty Pinot Noir or a robust Ribera del Duero. Tempranillo wine is also fine.

What is special about boeuf bourguignon? ›

The dish originates from Burgundy and combines two of the region's top products: red wine and Charolais beef. The white cattle, famous for their gentle temperament as well as tender meat, hail from the Charolles region of southern Burgundy and offer the perfect complement to the area's rich red wine.

What do the French eat with boeuf bourguignon? ›

Bœuf à la bourguignonne is traditonally served with a garlic toast, but it can be also served with potatoes, carrots, green beans, pasta, or with a Burgundy garnish, consisting of mushrooms, bacon, and onions stewed until brown.

Can you overcook beef bourguignon? ›

Of course. You can overcook anything. Originally Answered: When braising beef in a dish like beef bourguignon, is it possible to overcook the meat so that the chunks go beyond tender and become tough again?

Why is my beef bourguignon so bitter? ›

My beef Bourguignon tastes bitter

If your beef Bourguignon tastes disappointingly butter, it could be overcooked. A good tip to try is adding a spoonful of redcurrant jelly or a little sugar to add a little sweetness. Deglazing the pot with ¼ cup (60ml) brandy to the dish will add an extra layer of flavour.

Can you use cabernet sauvignon for beef bourguignon? ›

Some recipes are worth the wait and Beef Bourguignon is one of them. There is a reason this French beef stew is a culinary cult classic, so it only makes sense to pair it with one of our iconic wines like our 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Should beef bourguignon be thick or thin? ›

Stews like boeuf bourguignon should ideally be thick and glossy enough that the liquid coats the back of a spoon, a process aided by collagen-rich cuts of meat and a long, slow simmer.

Is beef bourguignon better the next day? ›

As with all beef stews, this one is best made a day or two ahead; don't sauté the mushrooms and onions until just before serving. This recipe is part of The New Essentials of French Cooking, a guide to definitive dishes every modern cook should master.

Is Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon better for beef bourguignon? ›

Pinot Noir is great for stew recipes and is the primary wine used in dishes like Beef Bourguignon. (Bourguignon calls for red Burgundy, a wine made from Pinot Noir grapes.)

Is Pinot Noir OK for beef bourguignon? ›

Pinot Noir is the traditional wine used in Beef Bourguignon. It's the red wine that the Burgundy region of France is most famous for, reflecting the origins of this dish which is also known as “Beef Burgundy”. There's no need to splurge on expensive wine here.

Is beef bourguignon served in a bowl or plate? ›

Set aside until ready to serve. Once the beef is ready, remove the herb bouquet. Assemble a plate or shallow bowl with the meat, carrots, and sautéed mushrooms and pearl onions.

What is the difference between Bordelaise and beef bourguignon? ›

Bourguignon. Similar to Bordelaise, but the difference is in the type of wine used; Bordelaise uses Bordeaux whereas Bourguignon uses Burgundy wine. Bourguignon is a red wine sauce with onions. Typically used in Boeuf Bourguignon.

What is the best piece of meat for beef stew? ›

Go for the chuck

The most common beef used for stew is chuck steak, also known as gravy beef or braising steak. Beef chuck comes from the forequarter of the animal consisting of parts of the neck, shoulder blade and upper arm. It is easy to find and it's affordable, making it a great choice for your stew.

Can you use ribeye steak for Beef Bourguignon? ›

So, can you cook Beef Bourguignon with Ribeye? Absolutely! While it might veer from tradition, this fusion of flavors and textures is a delicious deviation that's worth every bite.

What is the most tender cut of beef to cook? ›

The most tender of all cuts of beef, tenderloin steaks are lean and known for their delicate, butter-like texture and thick cut.

References

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