French Onion Beef Stew with Cheesy Bread Topping
A warm and rich dish that combines deep onion flavor with tender beef and a crispy cheesy top, perfect for a cozy gourmet meal.
Ingredients
For the Beef Stew
- 1.5 lbs 1 1/2 lbs beef chuck, cut into cubes
- 2 tsp coarse sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil (as needed)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2.5 cups beef broth or stock
- 2 bay leaves
For the Cheesy Bread Topping
- 1 white baguette sliced
- Olive oil (for brushing)
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1.5 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 tbsp fresh thyme, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Peel and thinly slice the onions. Keep tissues handy — thin slices cook down best.
- Pat beef dry, season with salt and pepper.
Cooking
- Heat oil in a heavy pot and brown beef in batches. Set aside.
- Melt butter, add onions, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Cook ~15 minutes until golden.
- Add garlic and thyme, cook 5 more minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over onions and stir 1 minute. Add tomato paste (if using), mustard, and Worcestershire.
- Pour in beef broth, scrape browned bits. Return beef, add bay leaves, simmer.
- Cover and bake at 320°F (160°C) for 1½ hours until beef is tender and sauce thickens. Remove bay leaves and adjust salt.
Preparing Bread
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice baguette, brush with olive oil, toast for 15 minutes, flipping once until golden.
Assembling and Serving
- Spread Dijon on toasts, top with Gruyère and Parmesan.
- Ladle stew into ovenproof bowls, top with cheesy toasts, broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese bubbles and browns.
- Sprinkle fresh thyme and a few caramelized onions over the top and enjoy.
Notes
Keep steps clear and simple for best results. For another cheesy topped soup idea, see this short rib soup with cheesy gruyère toast.