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French Onion Beef Stew with Cheesy Bread Topping

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French Onion Beef Stew combines the heartiness of rich beef stew with delicious caramelized onions and a cheesy bread topping inspired by French onion soup. This insanely delicious mash-up features tender beef, deeply flavored broth, and melted Gruyere cheese on toasted baguette slices.[1][2]

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (900g) beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil or butter for caramelizing onions
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter for browning beef
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2½ cups (620ml) beef broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • For cheesy bread topping: 1 white baguette, sliced; olive oil as needed; 2 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 ½ cups (150g) Gruyere cheese, grated; 3 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated; ½ tbsp fresh thyme to garnish

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the onions: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions, season with salt, and cook slowly for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and caramelized. Remove half the onions and set aside.
  2. Brown the beef: Increase heat to medium-high, add 2 tbsp oil or butter if needed, and brown the beef cubes in batches for 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove beef and set aside.
  3. Make the stew: Reduce oven to 320°F (160°C). Stir Worcestershire sauce, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, tomato paste, and flour into the pot. Add beef broth, bring to simmer, return beef and juices, add bay leaves. Cover and bake for 90 minutes until beef is tender.
  4. Prepare topping: Brush baguette slices with olive oil and toast until golden. Spread with 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, pile with grated Gruyere and Parmesan.
  5. Finish: Divide stew into 6 ovenproof bowls, top with bread slices to cover, add extra cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and browns. Scatter reserved caramelized onions and thyme on top.

Notes

Keep a close eye on the broiler as cheese can burn quickly. Use ovenproof bowls for easy broiling. For extra flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of red wine after browning beef if desired.[1]

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.rapidrecipes.blog/best-french-onion-beef-stew/