Beef bourguignon is a classic French stew made with beef braised in red wine, mushrooms, pearl onions, bacon, and herbs. It’s a hearty, soul-warming dish perfect for fall and winter meals. While the stew itself is incredibly flavorful, you’ll want some accompaniments to complement the rich flavors and make a complete meal. Here’s an overview of the best side dishes and other items to serve alongside beef bourguignon.
Bread
A crusty bread is essential for sopping up the delicious sauce in beef bourguignon. French baguettes or sourdough bread work very well. Slice the bread and place it in a basket on the table so diners can take pieces to soak up the hearty gravy from their bowl throughout the meal. The carbs from the bread also help balance the richness of the stew.
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are another excellent accompaniment for beef bourguignon. The potatoes help soak up the savory sauce and provide a pleasant contrast in texture from the tender beef and vegetables. Use Yukon gold potatoes boiled and mashed with butter, cream, and seasoning of your choice. The potatoes round out the meal and add additional comfort.
Egg Noodles
In place of potatoes, cooked egg noodles are also a great pairing with beef bourguignon. The noodles absorb the delicious sauce and wine flavors. Cook them al dente so they don’t get too soft in the stew. Egg noodles bulk up the dish and make it more of an entree.
Rice Pilaf
For another way to soak up the amazing sauce, serve beef bourguignon over a simple rice pilaf. The rice soaks up the rich stew flavors beautifully. Cook the rice in broth and wine to complement the bourguignon. You can make the pilaf with white or brown rice, depending on preference. The starch from the rice balances the hearty protein and veggies in the stew.
Sauteed Mushrooms
While beef bourguignon contains mushrooms, you can serve additional sauteed mushrooms on the side. Cook sliced mushrooms in butter and garlic for a simple accompaniment. The extra mushrooms enhance the earthy mushroom flavor in the stew. You can use white or wild mushrooms, depending on taste.
Roasted Vegetables
For additional veggies, serve roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, or asparagus. Roast the vegetables tossed in olive oil, salt, and pepper until caramelized. They pair nicely with the stew and add bright flavor and contrasting texture.
Salad
A light green salad helps balance the richness of beef bourguignon. Make a simple mixed greens salad with a vinaigrette dressing. You can also add ingredients like chopped apples, pears, walnuts, or blue cheese for more flavor. The freshness of the salad cuts the heaviness of the stew.
Buttered Carrots
In addition to salad, buttery glazed carrots go nicely with beef bourguignon. Cook sliced carrots in butter, brown sugar, honey, thyme, and seasonings until tender. The natural sweetness helps offset the stew’s savory flavor. The carrot’s bright orange color also livens up the plate.
Braised Celery
For another vegetable side, try braised celery. Simply cook sliced celery in chicken or vegetable broth until very tender. The braising gives it a mellow flavor that pairs well with the stew. Season the celery with salt, pepper, and thyme or parsley.
Onion Soubise
Onion soubise is a velvety sauce made from slowly cooked onions. The sweet creaminess makes a pleasant accompaniment for beef bourguignon. Cook sliced onions in broth and cream until very soft, then puree. The onions complement the pearl onions in the stew.
Bacon Brussels Sprouts
For a heartier veggie pairing, go for bacon Brussels sprouts. Trim and halve the sprouts, then cook with diced bacon until caramelized. The smoky and slightly sweet flavor counters the stew’s richness. The texture also contrasts nicely with the tender beef.
Creamed Spinach
Buttery creamed spinach is another excellent side for beef bourguignon. Cook chopped spinach in cream or half and half until tender. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. The velvety spinach helps cut through the stew’s richness. The pop of green also looks lovely on the plate next to the deep red stew.
Green Beans
Quick-cooked green beans dressed with browned butter and almonds also pair nicely with beef bourguignon. Cook the green beans briefly until crisp-tender, then toss with butter and toasted almonds. The vegetable’s fresh flavor and crunch provides contrast.
Garlic Bread
Warm, buttery garlic bread is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. Spread baguette slices or loaf pieces with butter mixed with minced garlic, then bake until toasted. Rubbing the toasted bread with a garlic clove elevates the flavor even more. Garlic bread is great for soaking up stew juices.
French Baguette Cheese Bread
For an elegant twist on garlic bread, make French baguette cheese bread. Stuff small baguette pieces with cheese like brie or camembert, then bake until gooey. The decadent cheese bread complements beef bourguignon perfectly.
Horseradish Cream
Horseradish cream makes a zesty condiment for serving with beef bourguignon. Simply fold grated horseradish and lemon juice into whipped cream. Provide the horseradish sauce on the side for spreading onto bread or stirring into the stew for a kick of flavor. The cream tames the horseradish’s bite.
Compound Butter
Another easy condiment is compound butter seasoned with herbs and aromatics. Blend softened butter with ingredients like minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, shallots, lemon zest, paprika or others. Serve slices of the seasoned butter with bread baskets or on top of cooked vegetables.
Wine Pairings
Since beef bourguignon contains red wine, it’s natural to want to serve a red wine alongside the dish. However, the richness of the stew can overpower lighter reds. Instead, choose a bolder, fruit-forward red wine that can hold its own, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, or Côtes du Rhône blends. Avoid oaked wines, which may clash with the stew flavors.
Dessert Pairings
While beef bourguignon makes a hearty entree, you’ll want something a little sweet afterward. Here are some excellent desserts to serve:
Creme Brulee
The classic French custard provides a simple, elegant ending to a French beef bourguignon meal. The crunchy caramelized sugar topping contrasts nicely with the creamy vanilla custard beneath.
Chocolate Mousse
Light, airy chocolate mousse is divine after the heavy stew. Make it with dark chocolate for a sophisticated flavor.
Fruit Crisp
Warm fruit crisp with tender fruit and a crispy oat topping helps cleanse the palate after the rich main course. Apple, pear, or mixed berry are all excellent options.
Poached Pears
For another fruit dessert, poach pears in red wine until tender, then reduce the poaching liquid to a syrup. The wine notes mirror the stew’s flavors.
Crepes
Buttery French crepes filled with sweetened cream cheese or other fillings end the meal on just the right note. Dust them with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce.
Profiteroles
Cream puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with warm chocolate sauce make an elegant finale for beef bourguignon. The contrast of crisp choux pastry and ice cream is delightful.
Tarte Tatin
Upside-down caramelized apple tart with flaky pastry is a fitting dessert for a French inspired meal. The apples’ sweetness balances the savoriness of the main dish.
Full Menu Suggestions
Here are some full menu ideas for meals featuring beef bourguignon as the main dish:
Rustic French Menu
– French Onion Soup
– Beef Bourguignon
– Buttered Noodles
– Bibb Lettuce Salad with Herb Vinaigrette
– Tarte Tatin
Everyday Family Dinner
– Green Salad with Ranch Dressing
– Beef Bourguignon
– Mashed Potatoes
– Roasted Carrots
– Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies
Date Night
– Goat Cheese and Beet Salad
– Beef Bourguignon
– Creamy Polenta
– Sauteed Green Beans with Almonds
– Profiteroles with Chocolate Sauce
Dinner Party
– Mushroom Pâté on Toast Points Appetizer
– Beef Bourguignon
– Potato Gratin
– Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
– Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream
Rustic Winter Feast
– French Onion Soup
– Mixed Greens Salad with Pears and Blue Cheese
– Beef Bourguignon
– Soft Buttery Dinner Rolls
-Root Vegetable Medley
– Mulled Wine
– Poached Pears in Red Wine Sauce
Tips for Leftovers
Beef bourguignon keeps well for about 4 days refrigerated and is even better the second day once the flavors have had time to develop fully. Here are some tips for enjoying delicious leftovers:
-Serve over buttered egg noodles for a quick meal. The noodles absorb the sauce beautifully.
-Place leftovers in a baking dish, top with slices of toasted bread and grated cheese, and bake until bubbly and browned for shepherd’s pie variation.
-Stir leftover stew into cooked rice or risotto for an easy one-pot meal. The starch soaks up the sauce.
-Make beef bourguignon poutine by topping fries with stew and cheese curds then baking until melted and bubbly.
-For breakfast, heat up stew and serve over poached or fried eggs on toast.
-Use as a filling for empanadas, cornish pasties, or pot pies. The stew makes a hearty filling for hand pies.
-Make a hash by sautéing stew with potatoes, bell peppers, onions, peas, and spices. Crack eggs over top and serve with hot sauce.
-Mix stew with cooked macaroni and top with breadcrumbs then bake for 15 minutes until crusty on top for easy casserole.
-For ultimate comfort, stuff beef bourguignon into baked potatoes. Load up baked russets with stew, then add cheese, bacon, and green onions.
Conclusion
Beef bourguignon is a rich, hearty stew that pairs wonderfully with an array of side dishes, from mashed potatoes to roasted vegetables. Breads and pastas like egg noodles help soak up the delicious sauce. Crisp salad and fresh vegetables provide contrast in texture and flavor. Red wine and decadent French desserts like creme brulee or chocolate mousse round out a meal. With so many excellent accompaniments, it’s easy to create fantastic full menus featuring beef bourguignon as the star of the show. This iconic stew truly satisfies on a cozy fall or winter evening.