Savory Beef Bourguignon Recipe – Anthony Bourdain’s Masterpiece
Beef bourguignon channels the spirit of Anthony Bourdain, delivering bold, soulful flavors with every slow-simmered spoonful.
It’s a dish where rustic comfort meets refined French technique in the coziest of ways.
Chunks of beef melt into tenderness after bathing in red wine, herbs, and slow heat.
The aroma alone is enough to transport you to a countryside kitchen tucked in the heart of Burgundy.
Each layer of flavor unfolds with patience, from the sweetness of onions to the depth of simmered stock.
The combination of wine, aromatics, and time creates a stew that’s rich, thoughtful, and deeply satisfying.
Pull out your Dutch oven; this is one of those recipes that doesn’t just feed you.
Anthony Bourdain’s Beef Bourguignon Overview
Ingredients In Bourdain’s Beef Bourguignon
For the Main Protein:For the Liquid Base:For the Aromatics and Vegetables:For the Herbs and Seasonings:For the Thickening Agents:For the Cooking Fats:For the Additional Ingredients:Stepwise Guide For Bourdain’s Beef Bourguignon
Prepare Beef Marinade
Combine beef with red wine, crushed garlic cloves, and herb bundle in a large container. Cover and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
Prepare Beef for Cooking
Remove beef from marinade, gently pat dry with paper towels. Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
Set aside marinade liquid for later use.
Sear Beef Perfectly
Heat olive oil in a heavy Dutch oven over high heat.
Brown beef pieces on all sides until a deep golden crust forms. Transfer seared meat to a separate plate.
Create Vegetable Base
In the same pot, add:
Cook vegetables until they become soft and slightly caramelized.
Build Flavor Foundation
Stir in tomato paste and sprinkle flour.
Cook for one minute to eliminate raw flour taste and create a rich base.
Deglaze and Develop Sauce
Pour reserved marinade into pot.
Use wooden spoon to scrape up delicious browned bits stuck to bottom of Dutch oven.
Combine and Simmer
Add beef stock and herb bundle.
Return seared beef to pot. Bring liquid to a gentle simmer.
Slow Cook
Cover pot and transfer to preheated oven at 325F. Cook for approximately 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Meat should become incredibly tender.
Add Mushroom Finale
In a separate skillet, saute mushrooms in butter until golden. Add to stew during final 30 minutes of cooking.
Serve and Enjoy
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve piping hot alongside crusty French bread or creamy mashed potatoes.
Professional Advice From Bourdain’s
Alternative Ideas Inspired By Bourdain’s Dish
Foods To Serve With Bourdain’s Bourguignon
Storage Advice For Bourdain’s Beef Bourguignon
FAQs
Why marinate the beef overnight?
Marinating helps tenderize the meat, infuse deep wine and herb flavors, and break down tough muscle fibers for a more succulent dish.
What type of wine works best for beef bourguignon?
A full-bodied red wine like Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Pinot Noir is ideal. Choose a wine you’d enjoy drinking for the best flavor.
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Chuck roast or beef chuck work perfectly. They have enough fat and connective tissue to become tender during slow cooking, creating a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Why sear the meat before braising?
Searing creates a delicious caramelized crust that develops deep, complex flavors through the Maillard reaction, adding depth and richness to the final stew.

Anthony Bourdains Beef Bourguignon Recipe
- Total Time: 15 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Rich beef bourguignon from France embodies rustic comfort with tender meat braised in red wine. Classic French cuisine invites home chefs to savor deep, complex flavors that connect diners to traditional culinary heritage.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle red wine (Burgundy preferred)
- 2 cups (473 ml) beef stock
- 2 lbs (907 g) beef chuck, cut into cubes
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 cup (236 ml) mushrooms, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bouquet garni (thyme, parsley, bay leaf)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) all-purpose flour
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Submerge beef chunks in a robust red wine bath with aromatic garlic and fragrant bouquet garni, allowing flavors to meld overnight in the refrigerator.
- Extract beef from marinade, thoroughly blot with paper towels, and generously season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Carefully preserve the wine marinade.
- Heat robust olive oil in a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven until shimmering, then meticulously sear beef pieces until developing a deep golden-brown crust on all surfaces. Transfer sealed meat to a separate plate.
- Introduce diced onions and sliced carrots into the same pot, gently sautéing until vegetables soften and become translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate tomato paste and sprinkle flour, stirring continuously to create a thick, fragrant base and prevent burning.
- Deglaze the pot with reserved marinade, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all caramelized flavor bits clinging to the bottom.
- Pour beef stock into the pot, reintroduce the seared meat, and add bouquet garni. Bring liquid to a gentle, rolling simmer.
- Cover the Dutch oven and transfer to a preheated 325°F oven, allowing the stew to braise for approximately 2.5 hours. Periodically stir and check liquid levels.
- While stew develops, quickly sauté quartered mushrooms in rich butter until golden and slightly crisp around edges.
- During the final 30 minutes of cooking, fold mushrooms into the stew, allowing them to integrate and absorb surrounding flavors.
- Taste and fine-tune seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve piping hot alongside crusty artisan bread or creamy mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Marinate beef in a robust, full-bodied red wine like Burgundy for deeper, richer flavor complexity.
- Pat beef extremely dry before searing to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in delicious juices.
- Choose fatty, well-marbled beef cuts like chuck or brisket for meltingly tender results that break down beautifully during slow cooking.
- Enhance umami depth by adding a small amount of anchovy paste or pancetta during the vegetable sautéing stage for a subtle, luxurious undertone.
- Prep Time: 12 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Maya Thompson
Culinary Content Creator & Nutrition Enthusiast
Expertise
Healthy single-serving recipes, Meal prepping for individuals, Integrating nutrition into everyday cooking, Vegetarian and plant-based cuisine
Education
The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Nutrition, meal planning, and culinary techniques for healthy living.
Maya found her passion in the kitchen by mixing good food with good energy. After earning her culinary degree at The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College, she made it her mission to keep cooking simple, wholesome, and packed with flavor.
At Steelhead Diner, Maya shares easy, healthy recipes built for real life. For Maya, great food seems like a celebration of everyday moments, made better one fresh bite at a time.