Description
A hearty beef stew inspired by classic French onion soup, featuring caramelized onions, tender beef, and a crusty cheesy bread topping.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup dry red wine (like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 slices French bread or baguette, 1-inch thick
- 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear the beef cubes on all sides until browned (about 3-4 minutes per batch). Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and the sliced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 25–30 minutes, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the beef broth and red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Return the beef to the pot along with any juices, and add the thyme sprigs, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 ½ to 2 hours, until the beef is tender. Remove and discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaves.
- Preheat the broiler. Spoon the stew into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a slice of French bread and a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese (about ⅓ cup per bowl). Place bowls on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 2–3 minutes. Serve hot.
- Optional: For extra richness, stir 2 tbsp butter into the stew just before serving, but not necessary.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste. For a deeper flavor, use a dry sherry or Marsala instead of red wine. For a lighter version, use a good quality store-bought beef broth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Method: Main
- Cuisine: American