Bourguignon-Style Hearty Beef Stew Recipe

Nothing beats a warm bowl of rich, savory beef stew on a chilly evening! 🌧️ This French-inspired dish combines tender beef, smoky bacon, hearty veggies, and a velvety sauce that’s bursting with flavor. 🍷

🌟 Ingredients for Your Culinary Adventure

🛒 Here’s what you’ll need:

• 🥓 5 strips of bacon: Smoky goodness in every bite.
• 🥩 3 ½ lbs beef chuck, cut into 2" pieces: The star of the show!
• 🧈 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided: For that buttery richness.
• 🧅 1 yellow onion, chopped: Adds depth to the flavor.
• 🥔 8 small baby potatoes: Comfort food essentials.
• 🥕 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped: Sweet and earthy goodness.
• 🧄 5 garlic cloves, minced: The aromatic hero!
• 🍅 2 tablespoons tomato paste: For that rich, hearty base.
• 🌾 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Thickens up the magic.
• 🍖 2 cups beef stock: The liquid gold.
• 🥄 1 tablespoon Better than Bouillon beef bouillon: Extra umami boost!
• 🌿 2 sprigs fresh thyme: Herbaceous perfection.
• 🍃 2 bay leaves: Dried or fresh—it’s up to you.
• 🧅 10 oz frozen pearl onions, defrosted and drained: Sweet bursts of flavor.
• 🍄 16 oz cremini mushrooms, quartered: Earthy and delicious.
• 🧂 Kosher salt & freshly cracked pepper: To season the magic.

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
   🔥 Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). We’re gearing up for some slow-cooked magic! 🕰️✨
2. Sizzle the Bacon
   In a Dutch oven, render the bacon 🥓 over medium-low heat until it’s golden and crispy. Scoop it out with a slotted spoon and set aside. (Try not to eat it all!) 😅
3. Sear the Beef
   Season the beef chunks generously with kosher salt and cracked pepper. Sear them in the same pot over medium-high heat until they’re browned on all sides. Remove and set aside. 🥩🌟
4. Sauté the Veggies
   Add 2 tablespoons of butter 🧈 to the pot. Toss in the chopped onions, baby potatoes 🥔, and carrots 🥕. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the garlic 🧄 and let it cook for another minute.
5. Build the Base
   Mix in the tomato paste 🍅 and let it caramelize for 2-3 minutes until it darkens. Sprinkle in the flour 🌾 and stir until it coats the veggies evenly.
6. Add the Liquid Gold
   Pour in the beef stock 🍖 and the Better than Bouillon beef bouillon 🥄. Scrape up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot—it’s where the flavor lives! 🥰
7. Assemble and Cook
   Return the seared beef 🥩 and crispy bacon 🥓 to the pot. Add the thyme 🌿 and bay leaves 🍃. Let the mixture come to a simmer. Cover and transfer the pot to the preheated oven. Bake for 2 ½ hours. ⏳
8. Sauté the Mushrooms and Onions
   In a separate skillet, melt the remaining butter 🧈 and sauté the quartered cremini mushrooms 🍄 and pearl onions 🧅 until golden and fragrant. Season to taste.
9. Combine and Finish
   Add the sautéed mushrooms and pearl onions to the stew. Let everything cook together for an additional 45-60 minutes, or until the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender. 😍

💡 Pro Tips for Stew Success

• 👉 Use a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven for even cooking.
• 👉 Don’t rush the searing—it locks in flavor! 🔥
• 👉 Serve with crusty bread 🥖 or creamy mashed potatoes for the ultimate pairing.

🎉 Why You’ll Love It

• 🌟 French-Inspired Elegance: A dish that feels fancy but is easy to make.
• 🌟 Rich, Hearty Flavors: Perfect for cozy nights by the fire. 🔥
• 🌟 Crowd-Pleaser: Great for dinner parties or family gatherings!

Bon Appétit! 🍷

Ready to serve? Ladle your Bourguignon-Style Hearty Beef Stew into bowls, pair it with a glass of red wine 🍷, and savor every flavorful bite. 🥘✨