Easy Julia Child Beef Bourguignon Recipe: Classic French Magic

Julia Child’s beef bourguignon transforms ordinary ingredients into a spectacular culinary experience that sings with French countryside charm.

Robust and deeply satisfying, this classic dish represents more than just a meal – it’s a journey through traditional cooking techniques.

Slow-simmered meats meld with aromatic vegetables and complex wine-based sauces, creating layers of incredible depth and nuance.

Hearty and elegant, the recipe requires patience but rewards you with pure gastronomic pleasure.

Each bite tells a story of rustic French kitchens and time-honored cooking traditions.

Seasoned home cooks and adventurous food lovers will find themselves captivated by its rich, complex flavors.

Prepare to elevate your culinary skills and impress dinner guests with this transformative recipe: Bon appétit!

Experience the Deep Richness of Julia Child Beef Bourguignon

• Unleash Classic French Culinary Magic: This beef bourguignon transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary, restaurant-quality dinner that captures the soul of traditional French cooking with incredible depth of flavor.
• Master Complex Cooking Techniques: The recipe teaches sophisticated cooking methods like flambéing with Cognac, perfectly searing meat, and creating rich pan sauces, which elevate your kitchen skills from amateur to professional chef.
• Luxurious Layered Flavor Experience: Each step builds intense, complex tastes – from crispy bacon rendering to caramelized vegetables, tender beef braised in red wine, and perfectly sautéed mushrooms creating a harmonious, mouthwatering symphony of flavors.
• Comfort Food with Elegant Sophistication: This hearty stew combines rustic warmth with refined French techniques, making it perfect for intimate dinner parties, cold winter nights, or when you want to impress guests with a show-stopping main course that feels both comforting and gourmet.

Essential Ingredients for Julia Child Beef Bourguignon

• Beef Chuck Roast: Rich, tender meat that becomes melt-in-your-mouth delicious after slow cooking. Choose well-marbled cuts for maximum flavor.
• Bacon: Adds deep smoky flavor and helps create a delicious base for the stew. Use thick-cut bacon for best results.
• Carrots, Onions: Sweet vegetables that provide depth and sweetness to the stew. Fresh, firm vegetables work best.
• Garlic: Provides robust, pungent flavor to enhance the overall dish. Fresh garlic cloves are preferred.
• Frozen Pearl Onions: Small onions that add a delicate, sweet element to the stew. Convenient and easy to use.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb for garnishing and adding a pop of color. Optional but recommended.
• Red Wine: Crucial for creating the classic Bourguignon flavor. Choose a good quality Burgundy or Pinot Noir.
• Cognac: Adds depth and allows for a dramatic flambé moment. Use a decent quality brandy.
• Beef Broth: Provides rich, meaty liquid base for the stew. Low-sodium broth works best.
• Tomato Paste: Adds depth and helps thicken the sauce. Concentrated tomato flavor.
• Fresh Thyme: Aromatic herb that complements the beef and wine perfectly. Fresh is best.
• Butter: Used for sautéing and creating a thickening roux. Unsalted butter recommended.
• Flour: Helps thicken the stew and create a smooth sauce.

A Complete Guide to Julia Child Beef Bourguignon

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to a cozy 250°F, setting the stage for this delicious adventure.

Step 2: Bacon Bliss

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Toss in diced bacon and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until it turns a beautiful golden brown. Scoop out the bacon and set it aside on a plate.

Step 3: Beef Searing Spectacular

Grab your beef cubes and pat them dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper. Working in batches, sear the beef in the same pot for 3 to 5 minutes per side until it develops a gorgeous brown crust. Transfer the beef to join the bacon.

Step 4: Vegetable Magic

• Of salt
• Of pepper

Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions become lightly caramelized. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

Step 5: Cognac Flame Show

Pour in the Cognac and carefully ignite it with a match to burn off the alcohol – a dramatic culinary moment!

Step 6: Liquid Love

• 1 entire bottle of red wine
• Beef broth (enough to nearly cover the meat)
• Tomato paste
• Fresh thyme

Bring to a simmer, cover with a tight lid, and slide into the oven for 1 1/4 hours until meat becomes meltingly tender.

Step 7: Stew Thickening Trick

• Butter
• Flour

Stir this into the stew and add frozen whole onions.

Step 8: Mushroom Magic

In a separate skillet, melt of butter. Sauté mushrooms for 10 minutes until beautifully browned. Add to the stew.

Step 9: Final Flavor Fusion

Bring the stew to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 10: Serve with Flair

Toast bread and rub each slice with a garlic clove. Spoon the rich stew over the toast and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Expert Hints for Julia Child Beef Bourguignon

• Mushroom Magic: Sauté these delicate fungi separately to preserve their tender texture and prevent them from turning mushy in the stew.
• Sauce Silkiness Secret: Create a smooth butter-flour paste that effortlessly thickens the sauce without any pesky lumps.
• Wine Wisdom: Select a robust Cote du Rhone or Pinot Noir that brings depth and complexity to your Beef Bourguignon.
• Flame-Kissed Flavor: Allow Cognac to briefly ignite, burning away harsh alcohol notes and intensifying the dish's rich taste.
• Beef Browning Brilliance: Cook meat in small batches to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust, preventing steaming and maximizing flavor development.

Smart Storage Solutions for Julia Child Beef Bourguignon

• Freeze Strategically: Divide beef bourguignon into individual portion-sized containers for quick, easy meal prep. Seal tightly with airtight lids to prevent freezer burn and preserve rich flavors. Label containers with date and contents to track freshness effectively.
• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover stew in glass or ceramic containers to maintain optimal taste and texture. Keep refrigerated for maximum 3 days, ensuring meat remains tender and vegetables stay vibrant. Place container toward back of fridge where temperature remains most consistent.
• Gentle Reheating: Warm beef bourguignon slowly on stovetop using low heat to prevent meat from becoming tough. Add small splash of beef broth or red wine to restore moisture and refresh sauce. Stir gently and frequently to distribute heat evenly, creating restaurant-quality results every time.

Creative Variations for Julia Child Beef Bourguignon

• Rustic Pork Swap: Replace beef with tender pork shoulder, creating a lighter yet equally rich stew with similar cooking techniques.
• Mediterranean Lamb Version: Substitute beef cubes with lamb, adding rosemary and oregano to enhance Mediterranean flavors while maintaining the classic braising method.
• Vegetarian Hearty Alternative: Swap meat with robust vegetables like portobello mushrooms, eggplant, and butternut squash, using vegetable broth and maintaining the original cooking process.
• Wild Game Exploration: Use venison or wild boar instead of beef, which adds a deeper, more intense flavor profile while keeping the traditional French cooking style intact.

Closing Reflections on Julia Child Beef Bourguignon

Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon masterfully weaves French culinary traditions into an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

Classic techniques merge with rich, complex flavors that transport diners straight to Parisian bistros.

Layered ingredients create profound depth, transforming simple beef and vegetables into an extraordinary meal.

French regional cooking shines through each carefully prepared component.

Julia Child Beef Bourguignon Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon delivers French countryside comfort with tender beef braised in rich red wine sauce. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a classic French masterpiece that invites you to savor each luxurious, deeply flavored spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Meat and Protein:

• 2.5 pounds chuck beef (cut into 1-inch cubes)
• 8 ounces dry-cured applewood smoked bacon, diced
• 1 pound frozen whole onions
• 1 pound fresh mushrooms (stems discarded, caps thickly sliced)

Liquid and Seasoning:

• 1 bottle dry red wine (such as Cote du Rhone or Pinot Noir)
• 2 cups beef broth (1 can)
• 0.5 cup Cognac
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature, divided)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 pound carrots (sliced into 1-inch chunks)
• 2 yellow onions (sliced)
• 2 teaspoons chopped garlic (2 cloves)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Country bread or sourdough (toasted and rubbed with garlic)
• 0.5 cup fresh chopped parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by warming it to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius), ensuring an even heat distribution for optimal cooking.
2. Create a flavor base by heating olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Introduce diced bacon and allow it to transform into a golden-brown delicacy, stirring intermittently for approximately 10 minutes. Transfer the crispy bacon to a separate plate using a slotted spoon.
3. Prepare the beef by thoroughly patting the cubes dry with paper towels and seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Sear the meat in batches within the same pot, developing a rich caramelized exterior for 3 to 5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside with the previously cooked bacon.
4. Introduce sliced carrots and onions to the pot, complementing them with 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 teaspoons of black pepper. Sauté for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and caramelize. Incorporate minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aromatic essence.
5. Elevate the dish’s complexity by carefully adding Cognac to the pot. Cautiously ignite the liquid with a match, allowing the alcohol to burn off and concentrate the flavors.
6. Reunite the seared beef and bacon within the pot, combining their accumulated juices. Pour in the entire bottle of red wine and sufficient beef broth to nearly submerge the meat. Blend in tomato paste and fresh thyme. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and transfer to the preheated oven for approximately 1 1/4 hours until the meat becomes exceptionally tender.
7. Create a thickening agent by combining 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons of flour, forming a smooth paste. Incorporate this mixture into the stew, then add frozen whole onions, stirring to integrate evenly.
8. In a separate skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Sauté the mushrooms for 10 minutes, developing a light golden-brown color. Gently fold the mushrooms into the stew.
9. Bring the stew to a rolling boil on the stovetop, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Allow the flavors to harmonize for 15 minutes, tasting and adjusting seasonings as needed to achieve a perfect balance.
10. Prepare accompanying toast by lightly toasting bread and rubbing each slice with a fresh garlic clove. Serve the stew atop the toast, optionally garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Carefully brown beef pieces in small batches to develop a deep, caramelized exterior that locks in rich flavors and prevents steaming.
• Deglaze the pan with quality Cognac, allowing flames to naturally burn off alcohol and create complex, sophisticated taste layers.
• Select premium dry red wines like Cote du Rhone or Pinot Noir to elevate the stew’s depth and provide authentic French countryside character.
• Create a smooth butter-flour mixture called beurre manié to naturally thicken the sauce without lumps, ensuring a silky, luxurious texture.
• Gently sauté mushrooms separately and introduce them during final stages of cooking to maintain their delicate texture and absorb surrounding savory essences.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 900
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 50 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 45 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg