Description
French Onion Beef Stew with Cheesy Bread Topping masterfully combines the deep sweetness of caramelized onions with tender, slow-cooked beef, all topped with a golden crust of melted Gruyere cheese and toasted rustic bread. This hearty, comforting dish is perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you crave a rich and satisfying meal that elevates classic French onion soup and beef stew into one unforgettable experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Stew Base
- 2 lbs beef chuck or stew meat, cut into chunks
- 4 large sweet yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cups beef broth (preferably homemade or low-sodium)
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cheesy Bread Topping
- 1 baguette or rustic bread, sliced
- 4 tablespoons butter or garlic butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese (can substitute mozzarella, fontina, or cheddar)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Thinly slice the onions and slowly sauté them in butter over medium-low heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally until they turn golden brown and develop a sweet, deeply caramelized flavor essential to the stew.
- Brown the Beef: While the onions cook, pat dry the beef chunks and sear them in a hot pan until browned on all sides, creating a flavorful crust and locking in the juices.
- Deglaze with Wine and Add Broth: Pour the dry white wine into the pan to deglaze, scraping up all browned bits from the bottom. Add the beef broth, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaves, stirring to combine.
- Simmer the Stew: Return the browned beef and caramelized onions to the pot, cover, and simmer gently for 2 to 3 hours until the beef becomes tender and fall-apart soft, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Prepare the Cheesy Bread Topping: Lightly toast the sliced bread, spread each slice with butter or garlic butter, and top generously with shredded Gruyere cheese for rich, melty goodness.
- Assemble and Broil: Ladle the stew into oven-safe bowls, place a slice of cheesy bread on top of each, and broil until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden brown—watch carefully to prevent burning.
Notes
- Patience is crucial when caramelizing onions slowly to unlock their natural sweetness and deepen the stew’s flavor.
- Use high-quality, preferably homemade or low-sodium beef broth for the best depth without overpowering saltiness.
- Do not skip searing the beef; this adds essential texture and rich flavor to the stew.
- Gruyere cheese is recommended for its perfect melt and nutty taste, but Swiss, mozzarella, cheddar, or fontina are delicious alternatives.
- Keep an eye on the broiler as cheese can burn quickly; broil just until golden and bubbly.
- The stew tastes even better the next day, so consider making it ahead to let flavors meld overnight.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 2.5 to 3 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering, Broiling
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl with cheesy bread topping
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: French onion beef stew, caramelized onion stew, cheesy bread topping, hearty beef stew, comfort food, slow cooked beef, Gruyere cheese stew
