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A hearty bowl of French Onion Beef Stew topped with melted Gruyère cheese and served with crusty bread.

French Onion Beef Stew

This French Onion Beef Stew is a hearty, flavorful dish combining the rich taste of caramelized onions, slow-cooked beef, and a delicious broth. Cooked low and slow for tender, fall-apart meat, this stew is perfect for cozy nights. Try it in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or on the stovetop for a delicious family dinner.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Course lunch
Cuisine French
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 555 kcal

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven or Slow Cooker
  • Sharp Knife (for slicing onions and beef)
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cheese Grater (for Gruyère)

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs chuck roast cut into 2-inch cubes
  • 4 large yellow onions thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth low sodium preferred
  • 1 cup dry red wine Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot
  • 1 tbsp flour or cornstarch for thickening
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Step 1: Caramelizing the Onions
  • Heat butter and olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.
  • Stir in garlic and Worcestershire sauce, cook for 2 more minutes. Remove onions and set aside.
  • Step 2: Searing the Beef
  • In the same pot, add a little more olive oil and heat on medium-high.
  • Add the beef cubes in batches, browning them on all sides (about 3–4 minutes per batch).
  • Remove the beef and set aside.
  • Step 3: Deglazing & Building the Stew
  • Pour red wine into the pot and scrape up any browned bits (flavor boost!).
  • Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then add beef broth, caramelized onions, and browned beef.
  • Toss in thyme, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper.
  • Step 4: Cooking (Choose Your Preferred Method)
  • Stovetop Method: Cover and simmer on low heat for 2.5–3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Slow Cooker Method: Transfer everything to a slow cooker, cook on low for 7–8 hours.
  • Instant Pot Method: Pressure cook on high for 45 minutes, then allow natural release.
  • Step 5: Finishing Touches & Serving
  • If needed, mix flour or cornstarch with water and stir it into the stew to thicken.
  • Ladle the stew into bowls, top with toasted bread and shredded Gruyère.
  • Broil for 2 minutes until the cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve hot!
A hearty bowl of French Onion Beef Stew topped with melted Gruyère cheese and served with crusty bread.
French Onion Beef Stew

Notes

💡 Best Cut of Beef? Use chuck roast for the most tender and flavorful stew.
💡 No Wine? Replace it with an extra cup of beef broth and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar.
💡 Make it Gluten-Free? Use cornstarch instead of flour and serve with gluten-free bread.
💡 Want a Stronger Onion Flavor? Add a packet of onion soup mix for extra richness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 555kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 45gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 172mgSodium: 731mgPotassium: 866mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 211IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 5mg
Keyword French Onion Beef Stew, French Onion Beef Stew Slow Cooker, French Onion Beef Stew Recipe, Old Fashioned French Onion Beef Stew, Easy French Onion Beef Stew, Stovetop Beef Stew with Onion Soup Mix
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