Beef and Barley Stew a la Bourguignon

4.0
(2)

This delicious beef stew combines elements of a traditional American beef and barley stew with those of the classic French boeuf bourguignon. I created this for my husband, much to his delight. Guests have raved, too. This is a time-consuming recipe, but I don't think you'll be disappointed. Serve with boiled new potatoes if desired.

Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
2 hrs 47 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 17 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
8 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

  • 2 teaspoons salt, divided

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • ½ (1 pound) package thick-cut applewood-smoked bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

  • 2 cups thickly sliced celery

  • 1 cup chopped onion

  • 1 cup chopped carrot

  • 5 cloves garlic, crushed

  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 1 ½ cups red wine

  • 2 fluid ounces cognac

  • 2 (14.5 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes, crushed

  • 3 cups reduced-sodium beef broth

  • 2 ½ cups beef consomme

  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

  • 2 teaspoons ground thyme

  • 4 bay leaves

  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • cup pearl barley

  • 1 (8 ounce) package frozen pearl onions, thawed

  • 1 pinch white sugar

  • 1 (16 ounce) package frozen peas

  • 3 tablespoons butter

  • 1 pound crimini mushrooms, quartered

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • ¼ cup cold water

  • ¼ cup minced fresh Italian parsley

Directions

  1. Place beef in a bowl; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Toss with flour to coat, shaking off excess flour.

  2. Place bacon in a skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a large stock pot, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon fat in the skillet.

  3. Place the floured beef cubes in the still-hot skillet; cook in batches until browned on all sides, 8 to 12 minutes. Transfer beef to the pot with the bacon. Combine the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, celery, chopped onion, carrot, garlic, and red pepper flakes in the skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until tender and lightly browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer vegetables to the pot.

  4. Remove the skillet from heat. Pour in red wine and cognac. Return the skillet to heat; light the liquid on fire with a long match or lighter to burn off the alcohol. Transfer the liquid to the pot once the flame has died out.

  5. Heat the pot over medium-high heat. Stir in stewed tomatoes, beef broth, consomme, vinegar, tomato paste, thyme, bay leaves, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer, stirring stew occasionally, until flavors combine, about 1 hour. Add barley; continue cooking until tender, about 1 hour more.

  6. Place pearl onions in the previously used skillet with water to cover; boil until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain, reserving about 1 inch water in the skillet. Return onions to the skillet; sprinkle with sugar. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until water evaporates and onions are browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Add to the stew; add peas.

  7. Melt butter in a separate skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; saute until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add to the stew; remove and discard bay leaves.

  8. Mix cornstarch and cold water together in a small bowl to make a slurry. Add slurry, 1 1/2 teaspoons at a time, to the stew, bringing to a boil after each addition until desired thickness is reached, 10 to 15 minutes. Garnish stew with parsley.

Cook's Notes:

You can use a Dutch oven instead of a stock pot.

When burning the wine and cognac, keep a skillet lid handy in case the fire needs quick extinguishing.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

649 Calories
25g Fat
55g Carbs
36g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 649
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 10g 52%
Cholesterol 84mg 28%
Sodium 1469mg 64%
Total Carbohydrate 55g 20%
Dietary Fiber 9g 33%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 36g 73%
Vitamin C 27mg 29%
Calcium 119mg 9%
Iron 7mg 41%
Potassium 1026mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.