
Burgundy Beef Stew: A Recipe Inspired by My Mother’s Kitchen
There are certain recipes that don’t just fill your stomach—they fill your heart. This Burgundy Beef Stew is one of those recipes for me.
My love affair with cooking didn’t begin in culinary school or from watching celebrity chefs. It began around my mother’s kitchen table.
My mother was an incredible cook. She found inspiration everywhere. Every month she’d eagerly flip through magazines like Sunset, Better Homes & Gardens, Family Circle, and Woman’s Day, carefully clipping recipes and entertaining ideas that caught her eye.
There was no Google. No Pinterest. No Food Network.
Back then, the only television chefs I can remember were Julia Child and Justin Wilson, the hilarious Cajun chef whose stories were almost as entertaining as his recipes.
My mother kept every treasured recipe in a giant scrapbook, carefully pasting recipes onto its pages to save for another day. Looking back, it was basically the Pinterest board of the 1970s—just with scissors, glue, and a whole lot of love.
She loved bringing people together around the table. Our home was rarely quiet. There were board game nights, card games, Sunday suppers, backyard barbecues, birthday celebrations, holiday dinners, and impromptu gatherings with friends. Looking back now, I realize those evenings were about much more than the food—they were about making people feel welcome.
One gathering has stayed with me all these years…
When Entertaining Meant Gathering Around the Table
People entertained differently back then.
Instead of texting to see if someone wanted to meet for dinner, families opened their homes. There were board game nights, card nights, backyard barbecues, Sunday suppers, birthday celebrations, patio picnics, and holiday gatherings.
Our house was always full of laughter, good food, and friends.
One gathering has stayed with me all these years.
My parents hosted what they called a “Create Your Own Stew Party.”
Several couples came over, and each team was challenged to create their own unique beef stew using ingredients my mother had gathered. Everyone also brought a special ingredient from a list she’d handed out ahead of time.
As a kid, I couldn’t wait to see what everyone would make.
I proudly accepted the very important role of official taste tester.
The kitchen buzzed with excitement. Meat sizzled in Dutch ovens. Wooden spoons clinked against pots. The smell of onions, garlic, herbs, and simmering beef filled the house while everyone laughed, teased each other, and compared their secret ingredients.
Then someone poured red wine into their stew.
I honestly don’t remember where the bottle came from. Wine wasn’t something I remember seeing around the house, so it felt incredibly fancy.
The Bowl That Changed Beef Stew Forever
When the stews were finally finished, everyone gathered around to taste each one and vote for a winner.
Every pot was different.
Every one was delicious.
But there was one bowl I simply couldn’t stop thinking about.
The stew made with red wine.
It was rich, hearty, deeply savory, and unlike anything I’d ever tasted. The wine didn’t make it taste like wine—it somehow transformed everything else. The beef was richer, the broth was silkier, and every bite seemed to have another layer of flavor.
As far as I remember, it won the contest.
It certainly won mine.
Ever since that day, I have never made a beef stew or pot roast without adding a generous splash of red wine.
To me, it’s the ingredient that turns a good stew into an unforgettable one.
This Burgundy Beef Stew is inspired by that memory, and every time I make it, it reminds me of those evenings gathered around my mother’s kitchen table.

Why You’ll Love This Burgundy Beef Stew
- Rich, slow-simmered flavor with tender beef
- One-pot comfort food that’s perfect for cooler weather
- Loaded with hearty vegetables and mushrooms
- Beef bone broth creates an incredibly flavorful gravy
- Even better the next day
- Wonderful for Sunday dinners or entertaining guests
Ingredient Notes
Beef Chuck: The best cut for stew. It becomes incredibly tender after a long simmer.
Red Wine: Use a dry Burgundy or Pinot Noir. Don’t worry—the alcohol cooks off, leaving behind incredible depth of flavor.
Beef Bone Broth: Adds extra richness and body to the gravy.
Tomato Paste: Just enough to deepen the flavor without making the stew taste tomato-forward.
Gold Potatoes: Creamy and buttery, they hold their shape beautifully during cooking.
Fresh Thyme: Adds a subtle earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with beef.

A Few Kitchen Notes
- Pat the beef dry before browning for the best caramelization.
- Brown the beef in batches—don’t crowd the pan. Those browned bits are pure flavor.
- Let the tomato paste cook for a minute or two before adding the wine. It develops a deeper, richer taste.
- If your stew seems a little thin at the end, simply simmer it uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes.
Food Pairings
This hearty stew pairs beautifully with:
- Crusty artisan bread
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Buttered egg noodles
- Parmesan polenta
- Roasted green beans
- A crisp green salad with vinaigrette
- Little Gruyere and Scallion Biscuits
Wine Pairing
Since you’re already cooking with a Burgundy-style wine, pour yourself a glass of the same Pinot Noir to enjoy with dinner. A medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Côtes du Rhône would also be wonderful alongside this stew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! In fact, many people think it tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld.
Yes. Let the stew cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to three months.
Yes. Brown the beef and vegetables first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on Low for 8–9 hours or High for 5–6 hours.
A dry Burgundy wine is traditional, but Pinot Noir is an excellent and easy-to-find substitute.
Bone broth has a richer flavor and more natural collagen, giving the gravy a silky, luxurious texture.

Variations
- Stir frozen peas into the stew during the last 10 minutes.
- Add pearl onions for a classic French touch.
- Finish with a tablespoon of butter for an extra velvety sauce.
- Swap cremini mushrooms for baby bella or wild mushrooms.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Freeze for up to three months.
Final Thoughts
Some recipes are passed down on handwritten recipe cards.
Others are passed down through memories.
Every time I make this Burgundy Beef Stew, I’m reminded of my mother’s scrapbook overflowing with clipped recipes, the sounds of friends laughing around the stove, and one unforgettable bowl of stew that taught me just how magical a splash of red wine could be.
She gave me so much more than recipes. She taught me that food has a way of bringing people together, creating memories, and making everyone at the table feel loved.
I hope this recipe finds a place around your table, too. And maybe years from now, someone you love will remember it just as fondly.

Burgundy Beef Stew
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot
- Cutting board
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 2½ pounds beef chuck roast cut into 1½-inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 3 celery stalks sliced
- 4 carrots peeled and cut into large chunks
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms halved
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups dry Burgundy wine or Pinot Noir
- 4 cups beef bone broth
- 1½ pounds baby gold potatoes halved
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce optional
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Brown the Beef
- Pat the beef dry with paper towels and season with the salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown the beef on all sides, about 3–4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
Cook the Vegetables
- Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the pot.
- Add the onion, celery, and carrots. Cook for 6–8 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in the mushrooms and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it darkens slightly.
Make the Sauce
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 2 minutes.
- Slowly pour in the red wine while scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Allow the wine to simmer for about 5 minutes.
Simmer
- Return the beef and any accumulated juices to the pot.
- Add the beef bone broth, potatoes, thyme, bay leaves, and Worcestershire sauce if using.
- Bring the stew to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2½ to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fork tender.
Finish
- Remove the bay leaves.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- If you’d like a thicker stew, remove the lid and simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Burgundy wine is traditionally made from Pinot Noir, making Pinot Noir an excellent substitute.
- For the best flavor, choose a dry red wine that you would enjoy drinking.
- Browning the beef in batches creates a richer, deeper flavor.
- Cut the vegetables into larger pieces so they hold their shape during the long cooking time.
- This stew is even more flavorful the next day.
- If the sauce becomes too thick during cooking, stir in a little additional beef broth.
Nutrition
Enjoy!
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4 Comments
cookwithreena
March 21, 2018 at 10:29 amGreat going!!!
angela@mealstreetkitchen
March 21, 2018 at 7:30 pmThank you!
grannysplaceidaho
April 20, 2016 at 5:11 pmAh, how we used to entertain, it was so enjoyable! Even the simple evenings when we would have friends in for coffee, dessert was almost always included. Looking forward to those days happening again.
angela@mealstreetkitchen
April 20, 2016 at 6:28 pmMe too! I hope to inspire people to come together and experience the joys of entertaining.