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French Onion Beef Stew with Cheesy Bread Topping

A hearty and comforting French onion beef stew topped with a delightful cheesy bread layer, perfect for chilly evenings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food, French
Calories: 540
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces Tender and flavorful cut for stews
  • 4 large onions, thinly sliced Caramelizes beautifully
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced Adds aromatic flavor
  • 4 cups beef broth Base for the stew
  • 2 cups red wine Choose a wine you enjoy drinking
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil For searing the beef
  • 2 teaspoons thyme Adds aromatic flavor
  • 1 leaf bay leaf Enhances the stew's flavor
  • Salt and pepper to taste For seasoning
Cheesy Bread Topping
  • 1 French baguette sliced Base for cheesy topping
  • 2 cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese Cheese for topping, adds richness
  • Fresh parsley for garnish Optional, for presentation

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper, and then brown the pieces in batches. Remove them and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, add the onions and cook them until they’re golden and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  3. Pour in the red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the beef back into the pot along with the beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Let it simmer for about 2 hours until the beef is tender.
  4. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the stew simmers, place the sliced baguette on a baking sheet. Top each slice with a generous amount of cheese and pop them in the oven until the bread is toasted and the cheese is bubbling.
  5. Discard the bay leaf from the stew, and ladle the warm stew into bowls. Top each bowl with the cheesy bread; sprinkle with fresh parsley if you’re feeling extra fancy.

Notes

For a thicker stew, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it in about 30 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days, keeping the cheesy bread separate to maintain its crunch.