Hearty Beef Bourguignon Recipe: French Comfort in Every Bite

Culinary magic happens when beef bourguignon transforms an ordinary evening into a memorable feast.

Hearty aromas will dance through your kitchen, promising comfort and elegance.

Classic French cuisine meets home cooking with this remarkable dish.

Tender meat slowly simmered in rich wine creates a symphony of flavors.

Red wine and beef become perfect partners in this legendary recipe.

Robust ingredients meld together, promising a deeply satisfying meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Savor every bite of this incredible French classic that will make you feel like a professional chef.

Why James Martin Beef Bourguignon Hits The Spot

• Transform Tough Cuts: This recipe magically turns less expensive, tougher beef cuts into meltingly tender, rich deliciousness through slow cooking.
• Master Classic French Cuisine: Learn an authentic technique that brings professional-level cooking right into your home kitchen without intimidating steps.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Delivers deep, complex flavors that will impress family and guests, making it perfect for weekend gatherings or special dinner celebrations.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimizes kitchen cleanup with a single-pan cooking method that develops incredible depth of flavor through layered ingredient techniques.

What You Need For James Martin Beef Bourguignon

• Beef: A tender cut that becomes wonderfully soft after slow cooking in wine and stock.

• Pancetta, Shallots, Onion, Garlic: These ingredients create a rich, deep flavor base for the stew.
• Bay Leaves, Thyme: Herbs that add a classic French countryside aroma and depth to the dish.
• Parsley: A fresh herb that provides a bright, final touch to the rich stew.

• Flour: Used to dust and slightly thicken the meat, helping to create a rich sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the beef.
• Brandy: Adds a warm, complex alcoholic note to the dish.
• Red Wine: Provides a deep, rich flavor that tenderizes the meat and creates a luxurious sauce.
• Beef Stock: Adds depth and moisture to the slow-cooked stew.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps to create a smooth, glossy finish.
• Mushrooms: Add an earthy texture and complement the beef's robust flavor.

Steps To Make James Martin Beef Bourguignon At Home

Step 1: Prepare Beef Coating

Generously coat beef pieces with flour, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper to create a flavorful exterior that will help develop a rich, golden crust during cooking.

Step 2: Sear Beef Perfectly

Heat a large heavy-bottomed pan with oil until smoking hot. Carefully place beef pieces in the pan, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Brown each piece until a deep golden crust forms, creating delicious caramelized edges. Transfer seared beef to a separate plate.

Step 3: Build Flavor Foundation

• Pancetta
• Shallots
• Onions
• Garlic

Sauté until vegetables become soft and translucent, absorbing all the delicious browned bits from the beef.

Step 4: Create Luxurious Liquid Base

Reduce heat and pour in brandy, allowing it to bubble and release its aromatic qualities. Slowly stir in red wine and beef stock, creating a rich, complex cooking liquid.

Step 5: Slow Cooking Magic

• Bay leaves
• Thyme
• Browned beef pieces

Cover and let simmer gently for 2 hours, allowing the meat to become incredibly tender and absorb all the incredible flavors.

Step 6: Enhance with Mushrooms

• Mushrooms
• Butter

Stir gently to incorporate and add depth to the dish.

Step 7: Final Touches

When beef reaches perfect tenderness, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the beef bourguignon alongside creamy mashed potatoes and buttery baby onions. Serve piping hot and savor the rich, complex flavors of this classic French dish.

Best Cooking Tips For James Martin Beef Bourguignon

• Flour Power: Coat beef evenly with flour to create a delicious golden crust that helps thicken the sauce and lock in rich flavors.
• Batch Browning Trick: Brown meat in small batches to ensure each piece gets a perfect sear without steaming, developing deep caramelized edges.
• Alcohol Boost: Adding brandy creates depth and complexity, burning off harsh alcohol while intensifying the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Mushroom Magic: Stir in mushrooms halfway through cooking to prevent them from becoming mushy, maintaining their delicate texture and earthy flavor.
• Herb Harmony: Use fresh thyme and parsley at different stages to layer aromatic herbs, bringing brightness and depth to this classic French stew.

Tasty Twists On James Martin Beef Bourguignon

• Vegetarian Bourguignon: Replace beef with hearty portobello mushrooms or seitan, keeping the rich wine sauce and aromatic herbs for a plant-based version.
• Lamb Bourguignon: Swap beef for tender lamb shoulder, maintaining the classic cooking method and deep, rustic flavors of the original recipe.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use cornstarch instead of flour for dusting, and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified for a celiac-friendly meal.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Skip flour coating, use cauliflower mash instead of traditional potato mash, and reduce overall carbohydrate content while preserving the dish's robust essence.

Great Matches With James Martin Beef Bourguignon

• Savor Rich Red Wine Pairing: Classic Burgundy or Pinot Noir perfectly matches the deep, robust flavors of beef bourguignon, complementing its rich wine-based sauce and tender meat.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Crusty French baguette or sourdough bread becomes an ideal sidekick, perfect for soaking up the luxurious sauce and adding delightful textural contrast.
• Creamy Potato Mash Harmony: Smooth, buttery mashed potatoes create a classic base that absorbs the hearty beef juices, enhancing the overall dining experience with comforting warmth.
• Fresh Herb Salad Balance: Light, crisp green salad with vinaigrette dressing cuts through the richness, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the heavy, intense beef dish.

How To Store James Martin Beef Bourguignon Properly

• Transfer cooled beef bourguignon into airtight containers, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dish away from other strong-smelling foods.
• Pack the stew in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Label with the date and contents. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
• Place desired portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warm.
• Pour the stew into a saucepan, add a splash of beef stock or water to prevent drying.

FAQs For James Martin Beef Bourguignon Answered

• What type of beef works best for this recipe?

Chuck roast or beef brisket are ideal because they’re tough cuts that become incredibly tender when slow-cooked, breaking down beautifully during the long simmering process.

• Why brown the meat before simmering?

Browning creates a delicious caramelized crust that develops deep, rich flavor through the Maillard reaction, which adds complexity and depth to the final dish.

• Can I substitute red wine if I don't have the exact type?

Yes, use a dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir. The key is choosing a wine you’d enjoy drinking, as its flavor will concentrate during cooking.

Beef Bourguignon Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Classic French Beef Bourguignon simmers with rich, hearty flavors that transport dinner guests straight to a Parisian kitchen. Tender beef, red wine, and aromatic herbs create a luxurious meal you’ll savor with every comforting bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef

• 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) stewing steak

Meat Accompaniments

• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) pancetta, cut into small chunks
• 110 grams (3.9 ounces) baby onions, fried in butter

Vegetables and Aromatics

• 1 shallot, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 200 grams (7.1 ounces) chestnut mushrooms

Herbs and Seasonings

• 2 bay leaves
• 2 sprigs thyme
• Salt and pepper
• Small bunch parsley, chopped

Liquids

• 75 milliliters (2.5 fluid ounces) brandy
• 500 milliliters (16.9 fluid ounces) Burgundy red wine
• 250 milliliters (8.5 fluid ounces) beef stock

Fats and Thickeners

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 25 grams (0.9 ounces) butter

Accompaniment

• Mashed potatoes

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Instructions

1. Coat beef chunks with seasoned flour, ensuring even coverage.
2. Sear meat in hot oil, working in batches to achieve deep golden-brown caramelization without overcrowding the pan.
3. Remove browned beef and use same pan to render pancetta until crisp, then sauté shallots, onions, and garlic until translucent.
4. Deglaze pan with brandy, allowing alcohol to reduce and concentrate flavors, then pour in red wine and beef stock.
5. Return beef to liquid, add aromatic herbs like bay leaves and thyme, then reduce heat and let simmer gently for approximately 90 minutes.
6. Incorporate sliced mushrooms and butter midway through cooking, which will enrich the sauce and add depth.
7. Continue cooking until meat becomes fork-tender and sauce thickens to a rich, glossy consistency.
8. Taste and fine-tune seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
9. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes and glazed baby onions.

Notes

• Flour coating helps create a delicious golden crust and thickens the sauce during cooking.
• Brown meat in small batches to ensure proper caramelization and develop deep, rich flavors without steaming the beef.
• Use high-quality red wine like Burgundy or Pinot Noir for authentic French taste and enhanced depth of flavor.
• Low and slow cooking breaks down tough beef fibers, creating meltingly tender meat that falls apart easily.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 565 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 33 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 47 g
• Cholesterol: 135 mg