Skip to main content

The Barefoot Contessa's Filet of Beef Bourguignon

You can make the Barefoot Contessa's Filet of Beef Bourguignon recipe successfully and wow friends and family.   

Filet of Beef Bourguignon-A Special Dinner


Barefoot Contessa Beef Bourguignon for a Special Dinner

Don't you love Ina Garten? When I saw her demonstrate how she makes a filet of beef bourguignon recipe on her Food Network television show I thought I needed to make it.  It looked simple, elegant and most of all, delicious.  I had friends coming for dinner and thought this was a dish they would enjoy.  I thought I'd make it, test kitchen style, and let you know how it came out.

I broke the first rule of entertaining when I tried this recipe, which is don't try making something you have never made before for guests.  We were having dinner with our very good friends from college the following Saturday evening.  I wanted to make something easy, to be able to spend more time with them.  I also wanted the meal to be elegant because they are such special friends.  This dish fits the bill.

Tips for Filet of Beef Bourguignon Success

Use beef tenderloin.  You can't go wrong when you use a tender cut of beef.  Buy your tenderloin trimmed and prepped from the store to make it easy.

Do not overcook your beef.  Enough said.

Taste and season as you go.  This is a good rule of thumb for everything you cook.

Do let the sauce simmer and reduce for the best flavor. Don't rush it.

Filet of Beef Bourguignon

adapted from, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
Serves: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 (3-pound) filet of beef, trimmed
  • Filet of Beef Bourguignon
    The Filet of Beef Bourguignon Ingredients
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, for seasoning plus one teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 T good olive oil
  • 1/4 lb bacon, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1-1/2 cups good dry red wine
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 pound frozen pearl onions
  • 8 to 10 carrots, peeled and cut diagonally into 1-inch-thick slices
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced 1/4-inch thick, sauteed

Directions
I bought a whole filet of beef tenderloin.  It was 7-1/2 pounds, so it first needed to be trimmed, tied, and cut crosswise into 1-inch-thick slices. I used five, 1-inch slices and froze the rest of the tenderloin for another time.  The only other preparation for the beef was to salt and pepper the fillets on both sides. You can buy your filets already trimmed and tied if you prefer.

Heat two tablespoons of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat.  Saute the beef until browned on the outside and very rare inside, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side.  Set the filets aside on a platter.

Brown the Beef Bourguinon
Sauté the Beef in the Pan

Sauté the bacon on medium-low heat in the same pan for 5 minutes, until browned and crisp. Set the bacon aside.  Add the garlic to the pan and cook it for about 30 seconds, until it releases its aroma.

Use 1-1/2 cups of red wine to de-glaze the pan.  Cook it for about 1 minute, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any tasty bits.  Add the beef stock, tomato paste, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste.  Bring the sauce to a boil and cook it uncovered on medium-high heat for about 10 minutes. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. 

Strain the sauce and return it to the pan.  Add the onions and carrots.  Simmer the sauce and vegetables uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes, until the sauce is reduced and the vegetables are tender.

Thicken the sauce by whisking in a paste of two tablespoons of butter mashed with two tablespoons of flour. Simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.

Finally, add the filet of beef slices, the mushrooms, and the bacon to the pan with the vegetables and sauce. Cover and gently reheat for 5 to 10 minutes. 

Do not overcook. Season, to taste, remove the ties from the beef, and serve immediately.


This is a delicious recipe that is well worth the effort and expense.  Serve your beef bourguignon with twice-baked potatoes and oven-roasted Brussels sprouts for a memorable meal. 

Wine is nice, too. We served a Red Zinfandel wine which was very tasty with this dinner.

The Barefoot Contessa's Filet Of Beef Bourguignon printable recipe can be found at the Food Network online.

You might also enjoy this Elegant Horseradish Encrusted Beef Tenderloin recipe 

Horseradish Encrusted Beef Tenderloin


A Pesto Encrusted Beef Tenderloin for dinner












Enjoy!

Comments

More Popular Posts

How to Make a Perfect Bacon and Eggs Breakfast

In my opinion, the best breakfast consists of two perfectly fried eggs, crispy bacon, and toast made with hearty bread. This bacon and eggs recipe delivers. Bacon and eggs or eggs and bacon? No matter, it is definitely the breakfast you want on those lazy mornings when you have time to relax around the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee or two. The Best Bacon and Eggs Breakfast (This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  When you make a purchase using these links you help support this blog.) How to Cook Bacon and Eggs My technique was learned from my mom, by watching her make our family's breakfast over and over again, year after year.  This is a basted egg recipe which means the eggs are cooked in bacon grease. Cooking eggs in bacon fat is easy and takes just a little practice to perfect. All you really need for a great bacon and eggs breakfast is a good nonstick skillet and a good toaster . If you want to make your own bre...

The Best Asian Dipping Sauce You'll Ever Taste

If you're looking for a versatile, easy-to-make Asian dipping sauce perfect for sushi and dumplings, then you've come to the right place. This recipe for the best Asian dipping sauce is perfect for any time you want a  kick of delicious Asian flavor. An Asian Dipping Sauce for Sushi and Dumplings Try this if you are looking for a dipping sauce that is a little more flavorful than you typically get with your takeout order. You'll love it with dumplings, too!

Traditional New England Whoopie Pies

Are you looking for the best whoopie pie recipe?  Whoopie pies are a quintessential New England dessert and a memorable treat from my childhood.   My mom would make them for us every once in a while.  Oh, what a treat to come home from school to a platter of chocolate whoopie pies!  Yum! Today I'm sharing my recipe for the best-ever whoopie pies. The Best Whoopie Pies Recipe without Marshmallow Fluff Whoopie Pies Whoopie pies are soft round cookie-like cakes with a smooth cream filling sandwiched in the center. Debate rages about the whoopie pie's origin.  Some say these goodies originated in New England, others say they originated with the Amish.   There is also debate about what ingredients should be in the filling.  Many recipes include fillings made with Marshmallow Fluff or buttercream but neither is  traditional, in my opinion.  The whoopie pie of my childhood is a traditional Maine whoopie p...

Grandma's Soft and Chewy Date-Filled Cookies

One of the things I can count on as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons arrive each year is a feeling of nostalgia. The traditional foods we serve at our family's holiday tables can sure bring out all the feels. Now that it is officially cookie season, we should kick it off with an old-fashioned homemade date-filled cookie recipe. This is a soft, tender cookie with dates that is a special, nostalgic, family recipe.   An Old-Fashioned Date Cookies Recipe This old-fashioned, date-filled cookie was my dad's favorite cookie from his childhood. My dad was born in 1932 so this recipe has been around for quite a while. 

Bread Machine Dinner Rolls

Are you looking for an easy dinner roll recipe? The easiest way to make fresh dinner rolls is with your bread machine. Relax while you use the dough setting of your bread machine to get the time-intensive steps out of the way. You'll be delighted with the results of this easy bread machine dinner roll recipe. The best bread machine dinner rolls are the ones you make yourself. How to Make Bread Machine Dinner Rolls This post contains Amazon affiliate links. When you use your bread machine to make dinner rolls most of the work is done by the machine.  You'll be delighted with how easy it is to make fresh rolls. While most of the work is being done by the bread machine you can be doing something else.

Cinnamon Raisin Bread: A Bread Machine Recipe

Are you craving a warm, cozy treat perfect for fall mornings? Look no further than this delicious cinnamon raisin yeast bread. Baked in a bread machine, this recipe is incredibly easy to make and offers a classically delightful blend of flavors that's sure to satisfy.  Easy Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread This post contains affiliate links. Whether you're serving it as a comforting breakfast on a chilly morning or enjoying it as a sweet afternoon snack, this cinnamon raisin yeast bread is a versatile and delicious addition to your fall recipe rotation. Its soft, fluffy texture and warm, inviting aroma make it a favorite among both young and old. 

Five Keys to Growing A Healthy Ficus Tree

Have you ever wondered how a single Ficus benjamina tree could become a beloved part of your home for decades, thriving and growing alongside your family?  If you haven’t yet, you might consider the addition of this living, air-purifying companion in your home that not only beautifies your space but also stands the test of time.  You may know this tree as either a Ficus benjamina or a weeping fig.   I have loved growing a ficus tree in my home for 36 years. It’s remarkable that I've had this tree for so long.   How to Grow A Ficus Tree Inside for Decades When thinking about how I managed to keep this indoor ficus tree happy, healthy, and growing strong all these years it boiled down to five key Ficus benjamina plant care tips. Follow these tips and you can have a happy, healthy ficus tree in your home for many years, too.

Making the Best Hamburger Buns from Scratch

Would you like to impress your family and friends with homemade burger buns?  You'll be delightfully surprised to see how easy it is to make homemade hamburger buns in your bread maker. I've been making this recipe for hamburger buns in my bread machine since 2011.  Have you noticed how the hamburger buns in the grocery store have gotten smaller and smaller?   How to Make Bread Machine Burger Buns Homemade Hamburger Buns (Some of the links below are affiliate links.) Making your own hamburger buns from scratch means  you  control the size and the quality.  Once you start making your own burger buns you won't want the buns from the grocery store ever again. Making hamburger buns at home is easier than you may think, especially if you are using a bread machine.  I use my Hamilton Beach bread machine to prepare the dough for thes...

Amaretti Cookies for Your Christmas Cookie Platter

Are you looking for Christmas cookie suggestions? During the holiday season, while you're pondering classic Christmas cookie favorites like sugar cookies and gingerbread men, consider adding a touch of Italian flair to your Christmas cookie platter.  Try Amaretti, delicate Italian almond cookies, with a subtly sweet flavor and crumbly texture. They are sure to become a cherished family treat. These classic Italian cookies have become a favorite Christmas cookie at my house. How to Make Classic Italian Amaretti Cookies Homemade Amaretti cookies bring a touch of sophistication and elegance to any dessert spread, making them perfect holiday treats. Their crisp, slightly chewy texture offers a delightful contrast to the usual soft, gooey holiday desserts. With a subtle almond sweetness, these cookies appeal to adults and kids alike and bring a taste of Italy to your holiday table. What Are Amaretti Cookies? Amaretti cookies have a rich history i...

Easy Chicken Parmesan-A Make Ahead Freezer Dinner

Chicken Parmesan is a favorite dinner in the Just One Donna house because it is a delicious dish that can satisfy your cravings for Italian food. It's also easy to make at home with simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry.  But what if you don't have time to cook on a busy weeknight? Don't worry, you can make Chicken Parmesan ahead of time and freeze it for later. I like to prepare Chicken Parmesan to have on hand in my freezer for those busy weeknights when we might be tempted to head to a restaurant instead of eating at home.  How to Make Freezer Chicken Parmesan for Busy Nights This post contains affiliate links.  I receive a small compensation when you shop using these links Easy Freezer Chicken Parmesan for Dinner Chicken Parmesan, also known as Chi...