Traditional Beef Bourguignon

Name: Traditional Beef Bourguignon
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 2 h 45 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: 675g lean chuck steak or boneless shin, cut into 5cm/2inch cubes; 3 tablespoons rapeseed or olive oil; 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped; 200g baby carrots, tops removed; 2 large garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped or crushed; 750ml good red wine; 1 bouquet garni; 2 tablespoons plain flour; 200g bacon lardons or pancetta cubes; 300g shallots or baby onions, peeled and left whole; 100g button mushrooms, halved; 2 teaspoons sugar; 2 tablespoons freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley, to garnish

Beef bourguignon is a classic hearty casserole made from beef slowly cooked in wine, with herbs, shallots, mushrooms and carrots – and let’s not forget the delicious bacon lardons. This traditional dish is definitely one of the most famous French recipes, originating from the Burgundy region. However it’s also a popular dish in the UK today.

prep time
25 mins

cook time
2 hours 45 minutes

serves
6 people

Energy
446kcal
Fat
19.6g
Saturates
4.8g
Carbs
12.4g
Sugars
7.3g
Fibre
3.3g
Protein
32.2g
Salt
1.6g

Ingredients

675g lean chuck steak or boneless shin, cut into 5cm/2inch cubes
3 tablespoons rapeseed or olive oil
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
200g baby carrots, tops removed
2 large garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped or crushed
750ml good red wine
1 bouquet garni
2 tablespoons plain flour
200g bacon lardons or pancetta cubes
300g shallots or baby onions, peeled and left whole
100g button mushrooms, halved
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley, to garnish

Method

Heat the half the oil in a 1.7L flame/ovenproof casserole dish with a lid and cook the beef in batches for 4-5 minutes in batches until brown all over. Remove and set aside. Cook the onions, carrots and garlic for 3-4 minutes.
Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 2 minutes. Return the meat to the pot and sprinkle over the onions. Sprinkle over the flour and stir gently.
Add the wine and bouquet garni. Season and cook in a preheated oven at Gas mark 2, 150°C ,130°C Fan, Gas Mark 2, or on the hob under a very low flame for 2-2½ hours.
45 minutes before the end of the cooking time heat the remaining oil in a large non-stick frying pan and cook the bacon lardons and shallots or baby onions for 4-5 minutes until soft, and lightly browned. Add to the casserole pot with the mushrooms, season, stir gently, then cover and cook for the remaining cooking time.
Remove the bouquet garni, garnish with parsley and serve with boiled new potatoes, or mash and seasonal vegetables.

Additional Recipe Information:

Top tips for a traditional beef bourguignon

Don’t be tempted to rush your beef bourguignon. If the temperature is too high, it’ll boil the dish and impair the flavour. So ensure it’s cooked over a low heat for 2.5 hours. Slow and steady wins the race.
If you have time to prepare this the day before, it tastes even better if left over night in the fridge. Alternatively, if you cook it the same day you’re serving it, any leftovers will taste fantastic the following day.

An easy and slow cooker version of this recipe is also available.