French Onion Beef Stew Recipe!

🥣 French Onion Beef Stew Recipe

⏱️ Prep Time: 20 min

⏱️ Cook Time: 2–2.5 hours (stovetop or oven)
🍽️ Serves: 4–6

🧾 Ingredients:

For the Stew:

• 2 lbs beef chuck or stew meat, cut into chunks

• Salt & pepper

• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter

• 4–5 large yellow onions, thinly sliced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp flour (optional, for slight thickening)

• 1 cup dry red wine (or beef broth)

• 4 cups beef broth (low sodium)

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 tsp sugar (optional, helps caramelize onions)

• 1–1½ cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese

For Serving:

• Toasted baguette or French bread slices

• Extra melted cheese (optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions:

🔹 1. Sear the Beef:

1. Season beef with salt and pepper.

2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high.

3. Sear beef until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.

🔹 2. Caramelize Onions:

1. In the same pot, add a bit more oil if needed.

2. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt.

3. Cook on medium-low heat for 25–30 minutes, stirring often, until golden and caramelized.

4. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

🔹 3. Deglaze & Simmer:

1. Sprinkle in flour (if using), stir to coat.

2. Pour in wine to deglaze, scraping up browned bits.

3. Return beef to the pot. Add beef broth, Worcestershire, thyme, bay leaf, and sugar.

4. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook on low for 1.5–2 hours (or 300°F in the oven), until beef is tender.

🔹 4. Finish with Cheese:

1. Remove bay leaf.

2. Stir in some shredded cheese to melt directly into the stew (optional but amazing).

3. Toast bread slices and top with melted cheese (optional: broil for a few minutes).

🍞 To Serve:

Ladle stew into bowls. Top with cheesy toast or float the toast on top like French onion soup. Sprinkle with extra cheese and fresh parsley if desired.