Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes
  • 6 oz thick-cut bacon, sliced into lardons
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 large carrots, sliced into 1-inch rounds
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 750 ml dry red wine (Pinot Noir or Burgundy)
  • 2 cups beef bone broth
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 lb cremini mushrooms, quartered
  • 12 oz pearl onions
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Sizzle the bacon lardons in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until golden and fat has rendered. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  2. Pat beef cubes completely dry with paper towels. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Working in batches, sear the beef in the rendered bacon fat until a deep, dark crust forms on all sides. Cook 3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside with the bacon.
  3. In the same pot, add sliced carrots and diced yellow onion. Sauté 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until the paste turns a dark mahogany color.
  4. Deglaze the pot with the red wine, scraping the bottom to release the fond (brown bits). Return the beef and bacon to the pot.
  5. Add the beef bone broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then immediately turn the heat down to the lowest setting. Cover the pot tightly. Simmer for 2 hours 30 mins until the beef is tender enough to break with a spoon. If using the oven, place it in at 325°F for the same amount of time.
  6. While the stew finishes, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a separate skillet. Add the quartered cremini mushrooms and pearl onions. Sauté 8 minutes until golden and tender.
  7. Stir the browned mushrooms and pearl onions into the stew during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Remove the herb sprigs and bay leaves before serving.
  8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.