Beef bourguignon - our recipe of the famous french dish

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Main Dish
Easy
3 h 20 m

An iconic French dish, beef bourguignon is a generous and convivial recipe, loved by all gourmets for generations! Originally from Burgundy, this culinary specialty showcases pieces of beef simmered for a long time in a fragrant red wine, accompanied by soft vegetables (carrots, mushrooms) and enhanced with carefully selected herbs. The tender meat, marinated to perfection, and the creamy, flavorful sauce make beef bourguignon a real treat, perfect for warming up cool evenings and bringing the whole family together around an authentic and tasty meal. Follow our traditional recipe step by step and delight your loved ones with this comforting dish that smells of old-fashioned home cooking!

Ingredients

4

Preparation

Preparation20 min
Cook time3 hours
  • Beef bourguignon - our recipe of the famous French dish - Preparation step 1In a pot, brown the chooped onions, then add the meat cut in pieces. Quickly cook the faces of the meat.
  • Beef bourguignon - our recipe of the famous French dish - Preparation step 2Then cover with the red wine, and add the sliced carrots, bacon, the minced garlic clove and the bouquet garni.
  • Beef bourguignon - our recipe of the famous French dish - Preparation step 3Simmer at low heat for 2 hours.
  • Beef bourguignon - our recipe of the famous French dish - Preparation step 4Then, add the sliced mushrooms, and leave to simmer for 1 more hour.
  • Beef bourguignon - our recipe of the famous French dish - Preparation step 5Then, if the meat isn't tender yet, leave on the low heat until it gets there. Be careful that the sauce doesn't reduce too much.
  • Beef bourguignon - our recipe of the famous French dish - Preparation step 6There you are, your beef Bourguignon is ready ! You can eat it with rice, potatoes or pasta. Bon appétit !

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FAQ ❓

How do you make beef bourguignon tender?

To obtain tender beef bourguignon, it requires slow, long cooking over low heat, ideally in a casserole dish or in the oven. Cooking for 2.5 to 3 hours allows the pieces to fully tenderize. Marinating the meat in red wine with herbs also helps to soften the meat and develop the flavors.
The best cuts of meat for beef bourguignon are those known as "stewing":
- Chuck, very flavorful and melts in the mouth after cooking
- Scoter, rich in collagen
- Thigh, slightly gelatinous, perfect for a tender texture
- Leg, a little firmer but excellent in stew
- Ideally, mix several cuts to vary the textures.
Yes, marinating the meat in red wine with onions, carrots, garlic, a bouquet garni, and a few spices for 12 to 24 hours adds flavor and promotes more tender meat. This step is optional, but it results in a more flavorful beef bourguignon.
Beef bourguignon is one of the emblematic dishes of Burgundy cuisine, but you can also find:
- Coq au vin
- Eggs en meurette (poached in red wine)
- Burgundy snails
- Pochouse, a fish stew
These are all rich, simmered dishes, often made with wine.
Use a full-bodied, tannic red wine, preferably a Burgundy wine such as a Pinot Noir, Côte-d'Auxerre, or Côte-de-Beaune. If you don't have a Burgundy wine, a Côtes-du-Rhône, Corbières, or Bordeaux will work very well. The wine used for cooking should be a decent quality wine that you would be comfortable drinking.
Boeuf bourguignon is generally served with:
- Steamed or mashed potatoes
- Fresh pasta (tagliatelle)
- White rice
- Homemade mashed potatoes
Or even glazed vegetables (carrots, turnips) for a lighter touch
The goal is to highlight the richness of the red wine sauce.
Yes, it's even recommended! Beef bourguignon is best reheated, as the flavors have time to develop. Prepare it the day before, keep it refrigerated, then reheat gently the next day.
Yes, beef bourguignon freezes very well. Let it cool completely before portioning it into airtight containers. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Allow at least 2.5 hours on low heat, or up to 3 hours for ultra-tender meat. If you're using a cast iron casserole dish in the oven, slow cooking at 300-320°F (150–160°C) gives excellent results.
The classic garnishes are:
- Smoked bacon
- Glazed pearl onions
- Button mushrooms
Add them at the end of cooking so they retain their texture and enhance the sauce.

Cookware

burner

Attributes

Suitable for freezing
Keep refrigerated
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