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Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon Recipe

Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon Recipe

Emily Grace
Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon Recipe is a classic French dish full of rich flavors. Tender beef, carrots, onions and mushrooms are cooked slowly in red wine for hours.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine French
Servings 6
Calories 550 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs beef chuck cut into 2-inch cubes
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 oz bacon chopped
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 carrots sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 3 cups red wine
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme or ½ tsp dried
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 8 oz mushrooms sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions
 

Prepare the Beef

  • Pat beef cubes dry. Season with salt and black pepper. Drying helps the beef brown properly and seals in flavor.

Cook the Bacon

  • In a large Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside for later.

Brown the Beef

  • Add olive oil to the bacon fat. Brown beef cubes on all sides. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.

Cook the Vegetables

  • Add chopped onions, carrots and garlic to the pot. Cook until soft and fragrant. Stir frequently to prevent burning.

Add Flour

  • Sprinkle flour over vegetables and beef. Stir for 2 minutes. This will thicken the sauce during cooking.

Add Wine and Broth

  • Pour in red wine and beef broth. Stir well to scrape up any browned bits. This creates a rich base for the sauce.

Add Herbs and Bacon

  • Return bacon to the pot. Add tomato paste, thyme, and bay leaves. Mix gently to combine flavors.

Simmer Slowly

  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2–3 hours. Beef becomes tender and sauce thickens beautifully.

Cook Mushrooms Separately

  • In a skillet, melt butter and sauté mushrooms until golden brown. This adds texture and earthy flavor.

Combine and Finish

  • Add mushrooms to the beef. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Sprinkle fresh parsley before serving for extra color and flavor.

Notes

  • Use a full-bodied red wine for better flavor.
  • Let beef sit at room temperature before cooking.
  • Brown the meat well to enhance taste.
  • Simmer slowly; low heat improves tenderness.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning at the end.
Keyword Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon Recipe