Wondering what to serve with Beef Bourguignon? Look no further! I’ve got you covered with this handy guide. So, you can find the perfect side dish to complete your tender beef stew dinner.
Everyone loves Beef Bourguignon. Tender, fall apart cubes of beef, bathing in rich, red wine gravy. It’s comfort food at its absolute finest!.
You can never go wrong with the classics like mashed potatoes, a zesty arugula salad, and bread.
Here are the best side dishes for this hearty beef stew. So that you can find that perfect dish to complete your comfort food feast!.
Beef bourguignon is a hearty French stew loaded with tender beef, mushrooms, pearl onions, carrots, bacon and a rich burgundy wine sauce This classic dish deserves an equally delightful starter course to kick off the meal Let’s explore some appetizing options to serve before beef bourguignon.
Tradition Calls for Crusty Bread
According to tradition beef bourguignon is often served with slices of crusty bread as a simple starter. The bread acts as an edible utensil to sop up the incredible sauce. Baguettes, ciabatta and rustic loaves are all excellent choices. Spread the bread with softened butter or garlic butter for added richness.
Fresh bread allows the iconic flavors of the stew to take center stage. It’s a humble yet fitting accompaniment to this peasant-style cuisine.
Elegant Salads Offer Crisp Contrast
While bread is traditional, salads make a more elegant opening for beef bourguignon. The crunch and brightness of greens, vegetables and vinaigrettes contrast sublimely with the tender, braised meat.
Go Classic with a French Bistro Salad
For a classically French starter, make a simple French bistro salad. This features frisée lettuce, chopped bacon lardons, croutons and a Dijon vinaigrette. The smoky bacon and pungent Dijon echo the stew’s ingredients.
Highlight Seasonality with Winter Salads
During colder months, incorporate seasonal produce into salads. Options include shaved Brussels sprouts, pomegranate seeds, diced pear, or roasted delicata squash. Top with a creamy dressing or lemon vinaigrette.
Opt for Springtime Fare Come April
When spring arrives, freshen up your salad with young greens, snap peas, asparagus tips, radishes or watercress. Tangy citrus dressings using lemon juice or blood orange vinagers work beautifully. Garnish with edible flowers for an extra touch.
Savory Soups Warm the Soul
Warm up with a savory soup before diving into beef bourguignon. Opt for recipes that mirror or complement the stew’s luxurious flavors.
French Onion Soup is a No-Brainer
With its bubbling croutons and melted Gruyere, French onion soup shares many traits with beef bourguignon. Caramelized onions in beef broth are a marvelous prelude to the red wine-infused stew.
Mushroom Soup Doubles Down on Umami
A mushroom soup, loaded with meaty, umami-rich fungi, makes another fine lead-in. Wild mushroom and cream of mushroom soups both pair beautifully. Just don’t overdo the cream.
Vegetable Soups Offer Lighter Options
For a lighter start, try roast tomato soup, butternut squash soup or a minestrone loaded with vegetables. These cleanse the palate before the hearty main dish.
Seafood Starters Provide an Elegant Contrast
While untraditional, seafood appetizers present an upscale alternative to bread or salad. Briny oysters, succulent shrimp and smoked fish provide elegance.
Oysters on the Half Shell
Serving freshly shucked oysters before beef bourguignon may seem odd, but it works wonderfully. The saline oysters and acidic mignonette sauce counterbalance the decadence of the bourguignon.
Shrimp Cocktails Bring Elegance
Chilled, peeled shrimp served with spicy cocktail sauce make for a refined appetizer. The sweet shellfish and horseradish dressing provide a lively preface to the hearty meat.
Smoked Salmon Blinis
Top tiny buckwheat blinis with crème fraiche, capers and thinly sliced smoked salmon. These rich bites contrast the texture of the stewed beef.
Cheese Boards Shouldn’t Be Overlooked
A thoughtfully composed cheese board makes a delightful starter for company. Provide an assortment of cheeses, cured meats, nuts, fruit and bread. Include French selections like Camembert, brie and Roquefort. The board’s savory flavors will have guests eager for the main course. Just don’t overindulge!
Complementing a Classic with Care
Beef bourguignon is a celebrated French dish, so pay respect to tradition while showing creativity. Simple salads, crusty breads and savory French soups make classic openers. For more indulgence, add seafood starters or an appetizing cheese board.
With the right starter, your guests will be ready to fully savor the sublime flavors of this iconic stew! Bon appétit!
The BEST Sides for Beef Bourguignon Miso Mashed Potatoes make a quick and easy side dish. With roasted garlic and buttery miso paste these potatoes pack a delicious umami flavor.
Many of these side dish recipes for beef bourguignon can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge or freezer for up to three days. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.
Have you liked this list of things to serve with beef bourguignon? Please leave a comment and rate it below. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
DO YOU WANT MORE? For more great platings,
Beef Bourguignon // Meal Starter // Pressure Canning // Jeni Gough
FAQ
What is a good appetizer for Beef Bourguignon?
What to accompany Beef Bourguignon?
Do you serve Beef Bourguignon in a bowl or plate?
What cuts are best for bourguignon?
What to serve with beef bourguignon?
Here’s the short answer. The best side dishes to serve with beef bourguignon are sour cream and chive mashed potatoes, French bread rolls, ricotta gnocchi, and quick pickled pearl onions. You can also serve French bistro salad, popovers, buttered corn and green beans, lemon garlic zoodles, or whipped cauliflower. Ready? Let’s jump right in.
What is a good starter for beef bourguignon?
The earthy, savoury flavour of mushrooms lends itself so well to being a starter for beef bourguignon. These chestnut stuffed mushrooms have a herby, nutty filling, and a crisp garlicky breadcrumb topping. Of course though, you’ve got plenty of different options to explore.
What to eat in France if you love beef bourguignon?
Other French classic dishes: Chicken Cordon Bleu sides: It’s an entirely different kind of meal but another traditional French dish nonetheless. French Onion Soup sides: If you love beef bourguignon, then you love the enriching, deep flavors of this soup.
What bread to serve with beef bourguignon?
Bread choices to serve as beef bourguignon sides abound. However, this classic beer bread stands out because it is forgiving (no rising with yeast) and enjoyed by all, because you get the flavor from the beer without the alcohol, which bakes out. Six ingredients needed are flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, butter and beer.