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When I was young, I had never heard the words “Beef Bourguignon.” Instead, we had pot roast. Often, pot roast was reserved for Sundays, prepared lovingly by Mom. Her pot roast was classically Midwest: roughly chopped onions, carrots, sometimes potatoes, and a chuck or rump roast. Beef stock was added, and maybe once in a while, cooking wine.
When preparing it for Sunday’s noon meal, Mom would place it in the oven before church, and by the time we arrived home, it was ready! In reality, this Midwestern-style pot roast is the descendant of the traditional Burgundy region French Beef Bourguignon.
I now love to make a hybrid Beef Bourguignon, one that takes some of the ease from pot roast and adds many of the flavor-enhancing techniques of the traditional dish. Instead of keeping the roast whole, like my mom’s pot roast, this dish cuts the meat into large pieces, just like the classic. Each piece is browned individually, not to lock in moisture, but to add flavor. As the pieces slowly cook in the liquid, they become meltingly tender.
While the traditional recipe begins by crisping some bacon or lard, I forgo this step. It’s a way to speed the whole recipe up, and I find that I don’t even miss it. Trust me, you won’t either!
Mom loves carrots in her pot roast. In fact, it’s her favorite part! A traditional Beef Bourguignon recipe uses carrots, but I opt to use even more than what’s customary. Why? Just like Mom, I want more of that vegetal flavor. It’s as though you have a side dish right alongside your main dish.
Instead of white button mushrooms, which are what would be found in a traditional recipe, I use cremini (also called brown mushrooms). And let’s have an honest conversation here: there is no flavor difference between the two. Personally, I believe that cremini mushrooms last much longer in the refrigerator and add additional sturdiness to the dish.
Instead of adding both sliced onions and pearl onions, I add only pearl onions, mostly because I like them. They’re always sweeter and become just as meltingly soft after cooking for hours.
For the liquid, I use Côtes du Rhône red wine. This is one of those times when any red wine you like to drink should work. If you’re like me and don’t drink red wine, the plethora of red wines in stores can be overwhelming. What’s nice about a Côtes du Rhône is that most labels will be of good quality, and to be honest, there aren’t usually many to choose from. This always simplifies the selection.
My version is probably closer to Julia Child’s than my mom’s, but it still evokes those nostalgic feelings while bringing on the flavor. If you haven’t ventured into the world of Beef Bourguignon yet, this is your recipe! Trust me!
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Beef Bourguignon
Ingredients
For the beef bourguignon
- 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
- 3 lb chuck or rump beef roast
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 leeks cleaned, trimmed, and sliced
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 ½ tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cups roughly chopped carrots
- 1 lb Cremini mushrooms
- 1 cup pearl onions frozen and slightly thawed
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef stock
- 2 cups Côte du Rhône wine
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
For the Parmesan polenta
- 4 cups water
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups polenta
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
For the beef bourguignon
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- In a 6- or 8-quart Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. While heating, cut the beef into roughly 1 ½-inch pieces, removing any excess fat. Salt and pepper the pieces of beef making sure to coat all sides. When the oil is heated, add about ⅓ of the beef, making sure the pieces do not touch each other. Allow to brown well on all sides, turning only once it is browned, about 2 minutes per side. If the Dutch oven becomes too dark on the bottom between browning, add a few tablespoons of water to break up browned bits. Add more oil before continuing. Continue to brown meat and set aside on a plate.1 ½ tbsp olive oil, 3 lb chuck or rump beef roast, 1 tbsp kosher salt, 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Once removed, add in the chopped leeks and garlic. Stir to briefly sauté, then add tomato paste. Stir and cook the tomato paste until the bottom of the Dutch oven is coated, 2-4 minutes. Add the carrots, mushrooms, and onions, along with the browned beef.2 leeks, 3 cloves garlic, 2 ½ tbsp tomato paste, 3 cups roughly chopped carrots, 1 lb Cremini mushrooms, 1 cup pearl onions
- Sprinkle the entire mixture with the flour and add the beef stock, wine, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer and place in the oven without the lid.2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 2 cups beef stock, 2 cups Côte du Rhône wine, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 2 bay leaves
- Cook until the liquid has reduced by half and the beef is fall-apart tender, 3-4 hours. Right before serving, make the polenta.
For the Parmesan polenta
- In a 6-quart stockpot, bring water to a boil. Add salt. While whisking, slowly add the polenta, making sure not to add too fast to prevent lumps from forming.4 cups water, 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 ½ cups polenta
- Add the heavy cream and continue stirring until the polenta has soaked up the water and cream and the bubbles become slow and thick, 6-10 minutes. Add Parmesan cheese and butter. Stir to incorporate and keep warm until ready to serve.¾ cup heavy cream, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 4 tbsp unsalted butter
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
It was a HIT !!! My Son and I made three batches, two in Dutch Ovens and one in the extra large Crock Pot (may finish off in under the broiler). We had a wonderful dinner for 4 with the Creamy Polenta and thought it would also be good with Rustic Mashed Potatoes. We were both exhausted afterwards. It was lovely cooking with my 17 yr old son and for a first time making this recipe, nothing to be changed.
Thanks for the Fabulous Recipe, it is a Keeper!
Hi Kate, how did the one you made in the crock pot come out?
Leslie
It’s in the oven now. Smells amazing. Now I just have to convince my husband to try the polenta!
What other wine variations also what else can I serve this on rather than polenta
Love your website ♥️
I used egg noodles!
Mashed potatoes
I made this. I covered mine as well, I have dentures, I need soft moist meat in order to break it down.
I also made a pot of cheese grits. I didn’t have any polenta.
Great meal for when it’s cold windy and ugly outside.
Has anyone made this the day before and just reheat day of?? Or maybe it would be too dry?? Thoughts??
Yes! I made it last night in my large Le Creuset Dutch oven…. I put the top on though, as I thought the video looked a little dry. I consulted Julia Child’s’ recipe and she cooked hers covered. Glad I did! After 3 1/2 hours I let it cool, placed in frig overnight and warmed it covered in a steam oven for half an hour or so while I made the polenta. I only reheated about half the recipe (4 servings) and will heat the rest as needed.
Delicious!!
This recipe looks amazing, going to make soon! Curious what size Dutch oven you use? Thanks!
I’m going to use my 8qt dutch oven. I know that one will hold all the ingredients as well as the liquid.
Could you use stew meat?
This looks delicious! Perfect for a cold winter’s day! I’ve made Belgian Carbonnade for years. It’s really Bourguignon only made with beer. For those who can’t find a decent red to use substitute a big bottle of beer. It’s always available.
Wonderful and when we all ate we ll it was wonderful thank you
Looks delish! Temp of oven???? Could you put this in a crock pot???
I don’t see an oven temperature.
Rosemary – thanks for catching this. 325 degrees (updated on the recipe now).
Made this last night on a cold and rainy night- it was delicious! This recipe is perfect and simple to follow. This will be a Winter staple in our household from now on (and lots of leftovers too!)