Julia Child Beef Bourguignon (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
02 -
6 ounces bacon, roughly chopped
03 -
3 pounds beef brisket trimmed of fat, chuck steak or stewing beef cut into 2-inch chunks
04 -
1 large carrot, sliced 1/2-inch thick
05 -
1 large white onion, diced
06 -
6 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
07 -
1 pinch coarse salt
08 -
1 pinch ground pepper
09 -
2 tablespoons flour
10 -
12 small pearl onions, optional
11 -
3 cups red wine (like Merlot, Pinot Noir, or Chianti - for milder sauce, use 2 cups)
12 -
2-3 cups beef stock (if using 2 cups wine, use 3 cups stock)
13 -
2 tablespoons tomato paste
14 -
1 beef bouillon cube, crushed
15 -
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
16 -
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped, divided
17 -
2 bay leaves
18 -
1 pound fresh white or brown mushrooms, quartered
19 -
2 tablespoons butter
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Heat the oil in a large dutch oven or heavy based pot. Sauté the bacon over medium heat for about 3 minutes, until crisp and browned. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a large dish and set aside.
02 -
Pat dry beef with paper towel; sear in batches in the hot oil/bacon fat until browned on all sides. Remove to the dish with the bacon.
03 -
In the remaining oil/bacon fat, sauté the carrots and diced onions until softened, (about 3 minutes), then add 4 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Drain excess fat (leave about 1 tablespoon in the pan) and return the bacon and beef back into the pot; season with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper. Sprinkle with flour, toss well and cook for 4-5 minutes to brown.
04 -
Add the pearl onions, wine and enough stock so that the meat is barely covered. Then add the tomato paste, bullion and herbs. Bring to a simmer on the stove. Cover, transfer to lower part of the oven and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, or until the meat is fall apart tender (adjust the heat so that the liquid simmers very slowly).
05 -
In the last 5 minutes of cooking time, prepare your mushrooms: Heat the butter in a medium-sized skillet/pan over heat. When the foam subsides, add the remaining 2 cloves garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds), then add in the mushrooms. Cook for about 5 minutes, while shaking the pan occasionally to coat with the butter. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Once they are browned, set aside.
06 -
Place a colander over a large pot. Remove the casserole from the oven and carefully empty its contents into the colander (you want to collect the sauce only). Discard the herbs. Return the beef mixture back into the dutch oven or pot. Add the mushrooms over the meat. Remove any fat off the sauce (if any) and simmer for a minute or two, skimming off any additional fat which rises to the surface.
07 -
You should be left with about 2 1/2 cups of sauce thick enough to coat the back of a spoon lightly. If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of stock. If the sauce is too thin, boil it over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until reduced to the right consistency.
08 -
Taste for seasoning and adjust salt and pepper, if desired. Pour the sauce over the meat and vegetables. If serving immediately, simmer for 2-3 minutes to heat through. Garnish with parsley and serve with mashed potatoes, rice or noodles.
# Notes:
01 -
To serve the following day, allow the casserole to cool completely, cover and refrigerate.
02 -
The day of serving, remove from refrigerator for at least an hour before reheating. Place over medium-low heat and let simmer gently for about 10 minutes, basting the meat and vegetables with the sauce.
03 -
This recipe includes stove top, Instant Pot/pressure cooker, and slow cooker methods in the notes section.
04 -
Julia Child's classic French recipe with tender beef chunks in rich red wine gravy.