French Beef Stew (Print Version)
Hearty beef stew cooked with wine, vegetables, and smoky bacon—comfort in every bite.
# Ingredients:
→ Meat
01 -
8 oz smoked pork or bacon
02 -
2.5–3 pounds stewing beef chunks
→ Vegetables
03 -
3 cloves garlic
04 -
10 small pearl onions
05 -
1 pound cremini mushrooms
06 -
4–5 medium-sized carrots
→ Liquids & Seasonings
07 -
2 tablespoons cognac
08 -
2 cups of full-bodied red wine
09 -
4 thyme sprigs
10 -
6 tablespoons butter
11 -
¼ cup all-purpose flour
12 -
3 dried bay leaves
13 -
2 cups beef stock
14 -
2 tablespoons tomato paste
# Directions:
01 -
Sprinkle salt on beef and let it sit for 2 hours. Set oven to 325°F to begin preheating.
02 -
Fry bacon until crispy, then take it out but leave the fat behind.
03 -
Work in batches to brown the beef well. Move browned meat to a plate.
04 -
Add butter to the pot and sauté the veggies with herbs until onions begin shining.
05 -
Put the meat back in. Stir in broth, tomato paste, and wine. Let it cook covered for 1.5 hours.
06 -
Sauté mushrooms in a separate pan, then mix them into the stew. Cook for another 30 mins.
# Notes:
01 -
Tastes better the next day
02 -
Brown the beef in small portions
03 -
Pick a decent-quality wine