Here’s a richer, more flavorful version of your French Beef Stew with a deeper red wine reduction, a hint of Worcestershire sauce for umami, and a touch of butter to enhance the texture.
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🍷 Classic French Beef Stew (Boeuf Bourguignon-Style)
Ingredients:
5 slices bacon, finely chopped
3 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 1/4 cups dry red wine (such as Pinot Noir or Merlot)
2 cups beef broth (for a richer flavor)
1/2 cup tomato paste (instead of tomato sauce for depth)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (for extra umami)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon butter (adds silkiness)
5 medium carrots, sliced
1 pound baby potatoes, halved
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 large yellow onion, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Directions:
1. In a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Transfer to the slow cooker, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
2. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Sear them in the bacon drippings until deeply browned on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer to the slow cooker.
3. In the same pan, add butter and sauté the onions until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 5 minutes until slightly reduced.
4. Whisk in beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and flour until smooth. Pour this mixture over the beef and bacon in the slow cooker.
5. Add the thyme, bay leaves, carrots, baby potatoes, and mushrooms. Stir to combine.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 6 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
7. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Discard the bay leaves and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
✨ Serving Suggestion: Serve with buttery mashed potatoes, crusty French bread, or buttered egg noodles for a comforting meal.
Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cooking Time: 8 hours | Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes
Kcal: ~480 kcal per serving | Servings: 6
Would you like a version with a stovetop or oven method instead of slow cooker?