French Onion Beef Stew with Cheesy Bread Topping

A rich, comforting French Onion Beef Stew with Cheesy Bread Topping that combines caramelized onions, tender beef, and golden melted cheese toast. Slow-simmered for deep flavor and perfect for cozy dinners.

Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

For the Beef Stew: 1 ½ lbs (680 g) beef chuck, cut into cubes 2 tsp coarse sea salt 1 tsp black pepper 2–3 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp unsalted butter 5 large onions, thinly sliced 1 tsp brown sugar 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional) 1 tbsp all-purpose flour 2 ½ cups (620 ml) 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 ½ cups (150 g) shredded Gruyère cheese 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese ½ tbsp fresh thyme, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Onions: Slice onions thinly and set aside.
Step 2: Sear Beef: Season beef and brown in olive oil until caramelized.
Step 3: Caramelize Onions: Cook onions with butter, brown sugar, and thyme until golden.
Step 4: Build Stew: Add mustard, Worcestershire, tomato paste, flour, and beef broth. Return beef and simmer.
Step 5: Slow Cook: Bake covered at 320°F (160°C) for 1½ hours.
Step 6: Prepare Bread: Toast baguette slices brushed with olive oil, spread with Dijon, and top with cheeses.
Step 7: Assemble: Place cheesy toasts over stew and broil until bubbly.
Step 8: Serve: Garnish with thyme and enjoy immediately.

Notes

For extra richness, add a splash of beef broth when reheating. Store stew (without bread) in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Toast bread separately when reheating to keep it crisp.

Nutrition

Calories: 365
Fat: 14g
Saturated fat: 6g
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 560mg
Protein: 32g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 3g