Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon

A Dutch oven filled with Beef Bourguignon.

4.11 from 128 votes

Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon

What makes Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon the best? Is it the rich, silky burgundy wine sauce? The tender chunks of braised beef or the golden, caramelized pearl onions and mushrooms? All of that PLUS the love you put into making this classic recipe.

Course Main Course

Cuisine French

Keyword beef bourguignon, beef burgundy recipe, boeuf bourguignon

Prep Time 45

Cook Time 3 30

Total Time 4 30

Servings

Calories 650kcal

Author Lisa Lotts

Ingredients

For the Beef

6 ounces bacon sliced crosswise ¼" thick pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
2-3 pounds beef chuck roast cut into 2 inch cubes
1 carrot peeled and sliced
1 small onion peeled and sliced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons flour
2½ cups red wine full bodied
2-3 cups beef stock or low sodium broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cloves garlic mashed
5-6 sprigs thyme tied in kitchen string
2 bay leaves

For the Onions

6-7 ounces frozen pearl onions (thawed) If you use fresh, blanch the onions in the skins, cool and peel them, and then proceed with the recipe. Fresh pearl onions may need to braise longer than frozen.
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 sprigs parsley
3-4 sprigs thyme
½ bay leaf
½ cup beef broth or stock

For the Mushrooms

1 pound white mushrooms stems removed, quartered
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil

Garnish

chopped parsley

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

FOR THE BEEF BOURGUIGNON:

Preheat the oven to 450°.
In a large Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat until glistening. Add 6 ounces bacon and cook for several minutes until lightly browned and fragrant. Scoop the bacon with a spoon, tilt it against the side of the pan to drain excess grease, and transfer it to a large, shallow bowl.
Use several paper towels to dry2-3 pounds beef chuck roast (if they're not dry, they won't brown) and add them in batches to the Dutch oven to brown. Brown the beef on all sides and then transfer the pieces to the bowl with the bacon. Continue until all the meat has been browned.
Add 1 carrot and 1 small onion to the Dutch oven and saute them, stirring occasionally until lightly browned and crisp-tender.
Return the beef, bacon and any drippings to the Dutch oven. Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper and stir to combine. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour and stir until the meat and vegetables are well coated. Put the Dutch oven uncovered into the hot oven and cook for 4 minutes. Stir the contents of the pot and continue to cook for an additional 4 minutes; this will give the meat a nice crust.
Reduce the oven temperature to 325°.
Add 2½ cups red wine and 2-3 cups beef stock, or enough to barely cover the meat. Stir in 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 2 cloves garlic, 5-6 sprigs thyme and 2 bay leaves. Cover the pot tightly with a lid and return it to the oven. Braise for 2-3 hours or until the beef is tender.
While the beef is cooking, prepare the onions and mushrooms.

FOR PEARL ONIONS:

Tie 4 sprigs parsley and 3-4 sprigs thyme into a bundle with kitchen string. In a large enameled pan, heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat until the foam subsides. Add 6-7 ounces frozen pearl onions and cook until they are lightly browned. Add the herbs, ½ bay leaf and ½ cup beef broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 20 minutes–until most of the liquid has evaporated. Transfer the onions to a bowl and set aside.

FOR THE MUSHROOMS:

In a large skillet, heat ½1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons butterr until the foam subsides. Add half 1 pound white mushrooms to the pan and cook until browned. They will first absorb the oil, and then begin to brown... Do not crowd the mushrooms in the pan. Transfer the cooked mushrooms to the same bowl as the onions.
Continue with the remaining mushrooms by heating the remaining ½ tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter until the foam subsides, then add the mushrooms and brown evenly. Transfer the mushrooms to the bowl and set aside.
When the meat is tender, use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a bowl. Set a strainer over a medium bowl and strain the vegetables and broth through the strainer. Press the vegetables lightly to get as much sauce as possible without pushing through the solids. Transfer the beef back to the pot and pour the sauce over the beef. Add the mushrooms and onions (I saved a few carrots too, because I love them).
Cool the beef bourguignon to room temperature and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for several hours or overnight.
The next day, heat the oven to 325°F. Skim the excess fat off the top of the stew and discard it.
Return the pot to the oven and braise for 1-1½ hours.
Garnish with fresh thyme and/or chopped parsley and serve with crusty bread and a good red wine.

Video

Notes

Save time on the day of by doing these steps a day ahead: braise the beef for two to three hours and individually braise the pearl onions. Cool each to room temperature and refrigerate in an airtight container (or, in the case of the beef burgundy, just refrigerate the pot you're cooking it in).
Store leftover beef bourguignon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days.
Reheat leftovers over medium heat in a covered heavy saucepan or pot until hot and fragrant.
To reheat in the microwave, transfer the serving to a microwaveable bowl or dish, wet a paper towel and squeeze out the excess, then cover the bowl with the towel and microwave in 30-45 second bursts, stirring after each. (The wet paper towel prevents splatters and keeps the beef burgundy moist without drying out the edges).
This red wine beef stew freezes well and can be stored for 2-3 months when well wrapped in a freezer-safe container.

Nutrition