Beef bourguignon is a classic French stew made with beef braised in red wine, broth, and aromatics. It’s a hearty, comforting dish that is perfect for a chilly evening. When making beef bourguignon at home, one of the most common questions is “how much is a portion?” Knowing how much to serve per person is important for getting the recipe quantities right. In this article, we’ll break down how much beef bourguignon counts as a standard portion size.
What is Beef Bourguignon?
Beef bourguignon originated in the Burgundy region of France. It’s made by browning cubed beef chuck in bacon fat, then braising the beef slowly with red wine, broth, onions, mushrooms, carrots, garlic, and herbs until tender. As the beef braises, it soaks up all the delicious flavors of the wine and aromatics. Beef bourguignon is traditionally served with buttery egg noodles or mashed potatoes to soak up the rich sauce. Some key characteristics of classic beef bourguignon include:
– Tender, fall-apart braised beef
– Deep, rich red wine sauce
– Aromatics like onions, carrots, mushrooms
– Savory herbs like thyme and bay leaf
– A touch of acidity from red wine vinegar or tomato paste
The combination of tender beef, bold red wine flavor, and savory vegetables makes beef bourguignon the ultimate cold weather comfort food. It’s a dish that is truly greater than the sum of its parts.
Standard Portion Size
So how much beef bourguignon should you serve per person? Here are some general guidelines on standard portion sizes:
– 5-6 oz or 150-180g of beef stew meat per serving
– 1/2 cup or 120ml of total stew, including meat, vegetables and sauce
– 1/3-1/2 cup of egg noodles or mashed potatoes as a side dish
A standard portion of beef bourguignon is around 1 cup or 240ml total. This would include 5-6 oz or 150-180g of braised beef, plus vegetables and sauce. The meat alone provides a hearty protein portion. When served with a starchy side dish like noodles or potatoes, one cup of beef bourguignon makes for a satisfying meal.
Factors That Affect Portion Size
Several factors can alter how much beef bourguignon counts as a proper portion:
Cooking Method
– Oven: Braising in the oven concentrates flavors as moisture evaporates over time. Oven beef bourguignon may be richer and more stew-like.
– Stovetop: On the stovetop, there is less evaporation so the stew remains looser. Stovetop beef bourguignon may portion slightly larger.
Protein Amount
– More meat: Loading up on the beef will increase protein and fill you up faster. 8 oz or 225g+ of meat would count as a hearty portion.
– Less meat: With only 3-4 oz or 90-120g of meat, you may want a larger portion of the total stew.
Side Dishes
– Starch-based: Noodles, mashed potatoes, or bread will fill you up. A smaller 1 cup portion of stew may suffice.
– Vegetable side: With lighter sides, you may want a larger 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cup portion of bourguignon.
– No side dish: On its own, beef bourguignon should be portioned more generously – up to 2 cups.
Other Ingredients
– More vegetables: Additional veggies like squash, parsnips or peas will add volume and nutrients.
– More sauce: More braising liquid will thin out the stew, requiring a larger portion to get enough meat and veggies.
– Thickened sauce: Reducing and thickening the sauce creates richer flavor in smaller portions.
Portion Size Examples
Here are some examples of how beef bourguignon portion sizes may vary:
| Scenario | Portion Size |
| Beef bourguignon served as entree with egg noodles | 1 cup stew + 1/2 cup noodles |
| Leftover beef bourguignon reheated for lunch | 1 1/2 cups stew on its own |
| Hearty beef bourguignon with extra vegetables as a meal | 1 1/4 cups stew |
| Rich, concentrated oven-braised bourguignon | 3/4 cup stew |
| Beef bourguignon appetizer before steak dinner | 1/2 cup stew |
As you can see, beef bourguignon portion size ranges considerably based on the context of the meal. The best way to determine proper portions is to consider the protein amount, additional ingredients, cooking method, and what else is being served.
Portioning Beef Bourguignon for a Recipe
When preparing beef bourguignon for 4-6 people from a recipe, here are some tips for portioning:
– Choose a recipe with 4-6 servings as a base
– Plan for 5-6 oz or 150-180g beef per person
– Cook at least 1 1/2 pounds beef chuck total
-Aim for around 1 cup liquid total per person
– Serve with 1/3-1/2 cup starch side dish per person
– Cook extra vegetables to add nutrients and volume
– Reduce sauce to concentrate flavors if desired
– Let leftovers refrigerate in portions for hearty lunches
Portioning out beef bourguignon into individual containers makes it easy to reheat single servings as needed. Freezing extras is also great for saving time later on.
Tips for Serving Beef Bourguignon
Here are some final tips for serving beef bourguignon in perfect portions:
– Use a wide spoon to scoop out stew ingredients evenly
– Garnish with chopped parsley or minced herbs
– Place potatoes or noodles on bottom to soak up sauce
– Allow diners to serve their own portions
– Offer bread to dip in the sauce for a hearty appetizer
– Provide extra spoons for shared family-style portions
– Set out leftovers in portioned containers for later
With its deep, wine-braised flavors and tender beef, beef bourguignon makes for a soul-warming meal on chilly days. Keep these portion guidelines in mind for serving up satisfying bowlfuls of this French classic. Your friends and family will be going back for seconds!
Conclusion
When it comes to portioning out beef bourguignon, a standard serving size is around 1 cup or 5-6 oz of braised beef plus vegetables and sauce. However, factors like cooking method, side dishes, ingredient amounts, and context can alter ideal portion sizes anywhere from 1/2 cup to 2 cups. To serve the perfect portions, choose a recipe sized for 4-6 people with 1 1/2 pounds of beef chuck and around 1 cup liquid per person. Cook extra vegetables to add volume and nutrients. Reduce the sauce to intensify flavor if desired. Let leftovers refrigerate or freeze in portions for easy reheating later on. With its deep, complex flavors and tender beef, beef bourguignon makes for satisfying meals and leftovers. Keep these tips in mind for perfectly portioned servings anytime.