Description
Indulge in the heartwarming flavors of French Onion Beef Stew, a delightful fusion of tender beef, rich caramelized onions, and a savory broth. This unique dish captures the essence of traditional French onion soup while offering the comforting depth of a hearty beef stew. Topped with golden, cheesy baguette slices, each serving brings warmth and satisfaction to chilly evenings or special family gatherings. Easy to prepare yet impressive in presentation, this stew is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ยฝ lbs chuck steak, cubed
- 2 tsp coarse sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2โ3 tbsp olive oil, or as needed
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 large onions
- Large pinch salt
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp tomato paste, optional
- 1 tbsp flour
- 2ยฝ cups beef broth, or stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 white baguette, sliced
- Olive oil as needed, to brush on the bread
- 1 ยฝ cups Gruyere cheese, coarsely grated
- 3 tbsp Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ยฝ tbsp fresh thyme, to garnish
Instructions
- Cube the chuck steak and slice the onions thinly.
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat; sear the seasoned beef until browned on all sides. Set aside.
- In the same pot, melt butter and add sliced onions with a pinch of salt and brown sugar; cook low and slow until caramelized (about 25-30 minutes).
- Stir in minced garlic, thyme, Dijon mustard, tomato paste (if using), and flour; cook for another minute.
- Deglaze with beef broth; return beef and bay leaves to pot. Simmer covered for about 90 minutes until beef is tender.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400ยฐF (200ยฐC). Brush baguette slices with olive oil and spread Dijon mustard before topping with Gruyere cheese. Bake until bubbly (10-12 minutes).
- Serve stew in bowls topped with cheesy bread garnished with fresh thyme.
- Prep Time: 50 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop and Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (350g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: For added nutrition, consider incorporating vegetables like carrots or celery into the stew. Letting the stew sit overnight enhances flavor as it allows ingredients to meld together beautifully.