Mary Berry’s Beef Bourguignon Recipe: The Secret Ingredient for Rich, Comforting Flavour

Mary Berry’s take on the traditional French beef bourguignon is a masterclass in comfort food, with one crucial twist that elevates the dish’s deep, robust flavors: red wine reduction. A full-bodied red wine forms the foundation of this sumptuous casserole, delivering warmth and richness ideal for cold evenings.

In her Simple Comforts cookbook, Mary describes the dish as “the ultimate comfort stew with a warming intense red wine flavour” that never disappoints. The secret lies in reducing the red wine before combining it with the other ingredients, which intensifies the flavour and gives the dish its signature richness.

Here’s what you’ll need:

2 tablespoons oil
900g good stewing steak
175g smoked streaky bacon
1 large onion, thickly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
450ml red wine
40g flour
4 tablespoons brandy
600ml beef stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
175g chestnut mushrooms
Butter
12 small raw pickled onions
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

Method:

Preheat the oven to 160°C (Gas mark 3). Chop the bacon and cook it in a pan with onion and garlic until the bacon starts to brown.
In a separate pan, bring the red wine to a boil and reduce it by half.
Sprinkle the flour over the onion and bacon mixture, then add the reduced wine, brandy, and half of the beef stock. Stir well and bring to a boil until thickened.
Add the remaining stock, return the meat to the pan, season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a boil.
Cover with a lid and transfer to the oven for 1.5 to 2 hours.
About 40 minutes before the end, halve the mushrooms and sauté them in butter over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the peeled pickled onions and cook together briefly.
Add the mushrooms and onions to the casserole and continue cooking until the meat is tender.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve piping hot.

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a timeless dish perfect for cozy winter nights, with each step bringing out layers of flavour that make Mary’s beef bourguignon truly unforgettable.