Description
A rich, comforting French beef stew simmered slowly with herbs, vegetables, and beef stock until tender and flavorful.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 pounds beef brisket (or chuck/stewing beef), cut into 2-inch chunks
1 large carrot, sliced ½-inch thick
1 large white onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
1 pinch coarse salt
1 pinch ground pepper
2 tablespoons flour
12 pearl onions (optional)
2–3 cups beef stock
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 beef bouillon cube, crushed
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (divided)
2 bay leaves
1 pound white or brown mushrooms, quartered
2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
1. Heat oil in a large pot. Add beef pieces and cook until browned on all sides, then remove.
2. Pat beef dry, then sear in batches until browned. Remove and set aside.
3. Sauté onions and carrots until soft and golden. Add garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir in flour, then return beef to the pot.
4. Add pearl onions, enough stock to cover the meat, tomato paste, bouillon, thyme, parsley, and bay leaves. Simmer covered at 350°F for 2–3 hours.
5. Near the end, sauté remaining garlic in butter and cook mushrooms until browned.
6. Strain liquid, discard herbs, and return beef and mushrooms. Skim fat, simmer sauce until thickened.
7. Combine sauce with meat, adjust seasoning, and simmer briefly before serving.
Notes
Simmer the sauce after cooking to reduce and thicken. If too thick, add stock gradually; if too thin, boil uncovered until it reduces.
For better texture and flavor, cook mushrooms separately in garlic butter and add them at the end.
Flavors improve when rested overnight. Adjust salt and pepper after tasting before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven, Stovetop, Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 624
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1163mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 59g
- Cholesterol: 151mg