Julia Child Beef Bourguignon Recipe: French Comfort Mastered

Beef bourguignon whispers tales of rustic French culinary magic, transforming humble ingredients into an extraordinary feast.

This legendary dish captures the essence of comfort and sophistication in one pot.

Tender meat braised in robust red wine creates a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Layers of caramelized vegetables and rich sauce tell a story of generations of French cooking traditions.

Complex yet approachable, the recipe invites you to embrace slow cooking and savor every moment.

Each carefully crafted bite promises a journey through the heart of French countryside cuisine.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

What You Need for Julia Child Beef Bourguignon

• Beef Cubes: Select well-marbled, trimmed cuts for maximum tenderness and rich flavor.
• Bacon: Choose thick-cut, smoky bacon for deeper, more robust background notes.

• Carrots, Onions: Pick firm, vibrant vegetables with smooth skin and no blemishes.
• Garlic: Look for tight, plump cloves without sprouts or soft spots.
• Fresh Thyme: Select bright green sprigs with strong, fragrant aroma.
• Frozen Pearl Onions: Opt for uniform size to ensure consistent cooking.
• Mushrooms: Choose firm, unblemished caps with tight gills and minimal moisture.

• Cognac: Select quality French brandy for authentic depth.
• Red Wine: Pick a robust, full-bodied wine like Burgundy or Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Beef Broth: Choose low-sodium version for better flavor control.
• Tomato Paste: Select concentrated, rich paste in tube or small can.
• Salt, Pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt for layered seasoning.
• Butter, Flour: Ensure butter is high-quality and flour is fresh for smooth thickening.
• Fresh Parsley: Pick bright green, crisp leaves for garnish.

Tools for Braising Julia’s Beef Bourguignon

• Large Dutch oven: Heavy-bottomed pot perfect for even heat distribution and slow cooking.
• Cast iron skillet: Ideal for searing beef and sautéing mushrooms with excellent heat retention.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp chef's knife: Essential for precise dicing of bacon, carrots, and onions.
• Paper towels: Used to pat beef dry before searing, ensuring a perfect golden crust.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the pot.
• Matches: Needed for the dramatic Cognac flame moment.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for accurately portioning wine, broth, and other liquids.
• Tongs: Perfect for safely handling and turning meat during searing.
• Small mixing bowl: Useful for creating the butter and flour thickening paste.
• Oven mitts: Protect hands when moving hot dishes in and out of the oven.

Follow These Steps for Beef Bourguignon Success

• Kickstart the Flavor Fiesta

Begin by warming your oven to a gentle 250°F, creating the perfect backdrop for a mouthwatering culinary journey.

• Bacon Transformation

Sizzle diced bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until it turns golden and crispy. Set the bacon aside, reserving its delicious drippings.

• Beef Searing Symphony

Pat beef cubes dry and season generously. Sear the meat in batches, creating a stunning caramelized exterior that locks in incredible flavor.

• Vegetable Dance

Introduce carrots and onions to the pot, letting them mingle and caramelize. Sprinkle in garlic for an aromatic punch that’ll make your kitchen smell amazing.

• Boozy Flame Spectacle

Splash in Cognac and create a dramatic flame that burns away the alcohol, adding depth and excitement to your cooking process.

• Liquid Flavor Bath

Reunite the bacon and beef in the pot. Pour in a full bottle of rich red wine and beef broth, along with a dollop of tomato paste and fresh thyme. Let the oven work its magic for about 1 1/4 hours until the meat becomes incredibly tender.

• Texture Transformation

Whip up a quick butter and flour mixture to thicken the stew. Toss in whole onions for an extra layer of deliciousness.

• Mushroom Magic

In a separate pan, brown mushrooms in butter until they develop a gorgeous golden color. Fold them into the stew for an earthy, rich flavor.

• Final Flavor Fusion

Bring the stew to a gentle boil, then simmer to marry all the incredible flavors. Taste and adjust seasonings to perfection.

• Serve with Passion

Toast bread and rub with garlic. Ladle the rich, hearty stew over the toast and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a final touch of freshness.

Cooking Tips to Perfect Julia’s French Stew

• Boost Meat Tenderness: Marinate beef cubes overnight in red wine to enhance flavor and break down tough fibers, guaranteeing melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Wine Swap Wisdom: Experiment with different red wines like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this stew a day in advance, as flavors deepen and intensify when allowed to rest in the refrigerator overnight.
• Veggie Volume: Expand the vegetable mix by adding diced celery, parsnips, or pearl onions for extra nutritional depth and complexity in each spoonful.

Plating Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon with Style

• Rustic Bread Pairing: Slice crusty French bread or a rustic sourdough to soak up the rich, flavorful sauce, adding a delightful texture to each bite.
• Wine Companion: Pour a glass of the same red wine used in cooking, like a robust Burgundy or Pinot Noir, to complement the deep, meaty flavors of the stew.
• Hearty Side Dish: Serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles to create a complete, satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top for a bright, vibrant garnish that adds a pop of color and fresh flavor to the dish.

Best Way to Store Your Beef Bourguignon

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare large quantities of this beef bourguignon and divide into portion-sized containers for quick weeknight meals that taste even better after resting in the refrigerator.
• Freezer-Friendly Magic: Store cooled stew in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, where it will maintain exceptional quality for up to 3 months. Pro tip: Leave a small space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing.
• Refrigerator Revival Technique: Properly stored in sealed containers, this hearty stew stays delicious for 3-4 days. Gently reheat over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent drying.
• Smart Serving Strategy: When ready to enjoy, thaw frozen stew overnight in the refrigerator, then warm slowly on the stovetop. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and maintain the rich, luxurious texture of the beef and vegetables.

Hearty Julia Child Beef Bourguignon Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Rich Julia Child beef bourguignon showcases classic French culinary mastery with tender beef braised in red wine. Hearty ingredients merge into an elegant dish that will transport diners directly to the French countryside.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) chuck beef (cut into 1-inch cubes)
• 8 oz (226 g) dry-cured applewood smoked bacon, diced
• 1 lb (454 g) frozen whole onions
• 1 lb (454 g) fresh mushrooms (stems discarded, caps thickly sliced)
• 1 bottle dry red wine (such as Cote du Rhone or Pinot Noir)
• 2 cups (473 ml) beef broth (1 can)
• 0.5 cup (118 ml) Cognac
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 0.5 tsp dried thyme)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 4 tbsps (56 g) unsalted butter (room temperature, divided)
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 lb (454 g) carrots (sliced into 1-inch chunks)
• 2 yellow onions (sliced)
• 2 tsp chopped garlic (2 cloves)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Country bread or sourdough (toasted and rubbed with garlic)
• 0.5 cup (15 g) fresh chopped parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Calibrate the oven to 250°F (120°C) for consistent, gentle heat distribution.
2. Bacon Foundation: Render bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until golden and crisp, creating a flavor-rich base. Transfer bacon to a separate plate using a slotted spoon.
3. Beef Searing: Pat beef cubes dry, season with salt and pepper. Sear meat in batches, developing a caramelized exterior for 3-5 minutes per side. Remove and reserve with bacon.
4. Vegetable Aromatic Layer: Sauté carrots and onions for 10-15 minutes until soft and caramelized. Add minced garlic and cook briefly to release its fragrant notes.
5. Flavor Intensification: Deglaze the pot with Cognac, carefully igniting to burn off alcohol and concentrate flavors. Reintroduce beef and bacon to the pot.
6. Braising Process: Pour in red wine and beef broth, almost covering the meat. Incorporate tomato paste and thyme. Simmer gently, cover, and transfer to the oven for 1¼ hours until meat becomes exceptionally tender.
7. Texture Enhancement: Create a butter-flour liaison, stirring into the stew to provide body. Add frozen whole onions, ensuring even distribution.
8. Mushroom Integration: Sauté mushrooms in butter until golden, then gently fold into the stew, enriching its complexity.
9. Final Harmonization: Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Allow flavors to meld for 15 minutes, adjusting seasonings to taste.
10. Serving Presentation: Toast bread, rub with garlic, and serve stew atop the toast. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Dry Meat Thoroughly: Ensure beef cubes are completely dry before searing to achieve a perfect golden-brown caramelized exterior that locks in rich flavors.
• Batch Searing Technique: Cook meat in batches to maintain high pot temperature, preventing steaming and ensuring a crisp, flavorful crust on each beef cube.
• Alcohol Flame-Off Method: Carefully burn off Cognac to concentrate flavor intensity and remove raw alcohol notes, creating a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Patience with Braising: Allow slow, low-temperature oven braising to transform tough beef cuts into meltingly tender meat, developing rich, deep flavors over time.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg