The following side dishes are the best answer to the question “What to serve with beef bourguignon?”, divided into 5 categories: dessert, salad, starch, vegetable, and wine. Here are the recommended side dishes:
- Crème Brûlée [Dessert]
- Chocolate Mousse [Dessert]
- Fruit Tart [Dessert]
- Panna Cotta [Dessert]
- Cheese Plate [Dessert]
- Tiramisu [Dessert]
- Green Salad [Salad]
- Arugula Salad [Salad]
- Butter Lettuce [Salad]
- Shaved Fennel Salad [Salad]
- Kale Caesar Salad [Salad]
- Rice [Starch]
- Pasta [Starch]
- Mashed Potatoes [Starch]
- Boiled Potatoes [Starch]
- Roasted Potatoes [Starch]
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes [Startch]
- Garden Tomato [Vegetable]
- Broccolini [Vegetable]
- Green Beans [Vegetable]
- Mushrooms [Vegetable]
- Glazed Carrots [Vegetable]
- Sauteed Spinach [Vegetable]
- Red Burgundy [Wine]
- Pinot Noir [Wine]
- Merlot [Wine]
- Bordeaux [Wine]
Crème Brûlée [Dessert]
If you want to thoroughly enjoy Beef Bourguignon’s savory flavors, Crème Brûlée is a great choice. This dessert has a caramelized sugar top that provides a wonderful contrast to the beef bourguignon. The creamy custard base and a subtle hint of vanilla will create an elegant sweetness that complements the savory depth of beef bourguignon.
Chocolate Mousse [Dessert]
Chocolate mousse’s indulgent and airy texture makes it an excellent choice to pair with Beef Bourguignon. Its intense chocolate flavor complements the depth of the stewed beef, creating a harmonious pairing. Furthermore, pairing two dishes with such distinct tastes and textures can help you have an interesting sensory experience.
Fruit Tart [Dessert]
Fruit tarts will be an ideal option if you do not know what to serve with Beef Bourguignon. A fruit tart like raspberry or mixed berry will add a refreshing touch to the meal. The fruit’s natural sweetness and tartness offset the main course’s richness.
Panna Cotta [Dessert]
Silky panna cotta with a berry compote like strawberries, raspberries, or citrus sauce offers a light and satisfying dessert. Its creamy texture complements the savory flavors of beef bourguignon without overwhelming the palate.
Cheese Plate [Dessert]
A cheese plate will be an intelligent selection to eat with beef bourguignon if you prefer to boost the savory taste during the meal.
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You can consider a cheese plate with various cheeses, nuts, and crusty bread. Incorporating French cheeses like Brie or Camembert will be the best choice if you want to enjoy an authentic touch.
Tiramisu [Dessert]
While not French, tiramisu is a popular Italian dessert that pairs surprisingly well with beef bourguignon. The coffee-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone provide a delightful contrast to the hearty stew.
Green Salad [Salad]
Green salad is one of the most appreciated sides to combine with beef bourguignon. A basic green salad with several fresh vegetables, such as spinach or mesclun, can taste great when combined with beef bourguignon.
Green salad is also a perfect side dish for beef stew, which is pretty similar to beef bourguignon.
Arugula Salad [Salad]
Combining beef bourguignon with an arugula salad makes for an excellent pairing. The arugula’s peppery and subtly bitter characteristics create a delightful contrast to the stew’s opulent and savory profile.
Butter Lettuce [Salad]
If you are a fan of lettuce, do not miss the ultimate combination of beef bourguignon and butter lettuce. Butter lettuce leaves are renowned for their tender texture and subtly sweet taste. They make an excellent choice for a delicate and refreshing side salad.
Shaved Fennel Salad [Salad]
Serving beef bourguignon with a shaved fennel salad is a great idea because it balances the richness of the stew with the salad’s fresh and crisp qualities. The salad acts as a palate cleanser, adds nutritional diversity, enhances the meal’s aesthetics, and can align with seasonal availability, making the dining experience more enjoyable and well-rounded.
Kale Caesar Salad [Salad]
Serving beef bourguignon with a Kale Caesar Salad is a great choice because it offers complementary flavors, textures, and nutritional balance. The richness of beef bourguignon pairs well with the fresh, slightly bitter taste of kale in the salad. The salad also adds crunchiness and nutrients to the meal, creating a balanced and visually appealing dining experience.
Rice [Starch]
While you serve beef bourguignon with rice, you can use both white and brown rice. In general, rice can serve as a neutral base that allows the rich flavors of the beef stew to take center stage. If you prefer more nutritional value in your meal, brown rice will be the best choice since it contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals.
Pasta [Starch]
You can use wide, flat noodles like pappardelle or fettuccine to make a pasta dish that provides a pleasing contrast in flavors with beef bourguignon. In addition, egg noodles are also one of the best side dishes to eat with this French dish to enhance the flavors of the stew.
Mashed Potatoes [Starch]
One of the most popular ways to eat beef bourguignon is by combining it with mashed potatoes. The velvety texture and buttery flavor of mashed potatoes create a delightful contrast to the savory, wine-infused sauce of the dish. Beef bourguignon would be perfect when served with garlic mashed potatoes or horseradish mashed potatoes.
Boiled potatoes
A simpler combination is boiled potatoes and beef bourguignon. You can boil whole or halved small potatoes until they are fork-tender. Then, drain and toss them with a touch of melted butter, a pinch of salt, and freshly chopped herbs like parsley or thyme.
Roasted potatoes
For a crispy alternative, cut potatoes into small cubes. Coat them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs, then roast them in the oven until they turn golden brown and are delightfully crispy. Roasted potatoes will be a great option to highlight the silky texture of beef bourguignon. Roasted potatoes also pair well with Beef Stroganoff.
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes [Startch]
Pairing beef bourguignon with Air Fryer Baked Potatoes offers a delightful contrast in textures, with the stew’s richness complemented by the potatoes’ crispy exterior and creamy interior. Using an air fryer for the potatoes saves time and minimizes cleanup, while precise temperature control ensures they’re cooked to perfection. This combination also presents well visually and suits various dining preferences.
Garden Tomato [Vegetable]
Garden tomatoes are what you need to add a burst of freshness and a touch of acidity to beef bourguignon. You can use tomatoes as a side dish or mix them into the beef stew before eating. The mild sour taste mixed with a little sweetness of garden tomatoes not only makes the beef bourguignon melt in the mouth but also keeps the dish from being too greasy.
Broccolini [Vegetable]
Broccolini might not be a popular broccoli; however, it can offer an equally delicious and nutritious side dish to serve with rich and hearty beef bourguignon. To make a mouthwatering side dish from this vegetable, you just need to sauté it in some olive oil and garlic, then season with a pinch of salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and a spritz of lemon juice.
Green Beans [Vegetable]
Green beans will be a delightful and nutritious side dish that pairs perfectly with beef bourguignon. These green beans are coated in a flavorful balsamic glaze, creating a zesty and crispy accompaniment that beautifully complements the rich stew.
Mushrooms [Vegetable]
Mushrooms are a traditional choice to serve with beef bourguignon. They are also a must-have ingredient in this dish. You can use button mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, or even wild mushrooms such as shiitake to have a deep and tangy flavor.
Glazed Carrots [Vegetable]
Serving Beef Bourguignon with glazed carrots is a classic choice that contrasts flavors and textures. The sweet and slightly caramelized carrots complement the rich, savory nature of the beef stew, creating a well-balanced and visually appealing plate. This pairing is traditional and has stood the test of time for its harmonious qualities.
Sauteed Spinach [Vegetable]
Serving Beef Bourguignon with sautéed spinach offers a balanced combination of rich, savory flavors from the stew and the fresh, crisp texture of the spinach. The spinach also adds nutritional diversity and vibrant color to the plate, enhancing both taste and presentation. However, the choice of side dish ultimately depends on personal preferences and the desired dining experience.
Red Burgundy [Wine]
The most popular red wine to serve with beef bourguignon is Red Burgundy. This wine originates from the Burgundy region in France, where beef bourguignon was first created. This wine typically offers delicate red fruit flavors like cherry and raspberry, earthy undertones, and well-balanced acidity.
Pinot Noir [Wine]
Pairing beef bourguignon with Pinot Noir is a classic choice due to their shared Burgundy origins and complementary flavors. Pinot Noir’s balanced profile, lower tannins, and versatility make it a harmonious match, enhancing the overall dining experience. However, personal preference should guide your wine choice to ensure your enjoyment.
Merlot [Wine]
A well-balanced Merlot, characterized by its soft tannins and flavors of plum or cherry, can complement beef bourguignon nicely. This is a good selection if you prefer a smoother and more approachable wine. Merlot’s fruity undertones and velvety texture make it a perfect complement to beef bourguignon, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Bordeaux [Wine]
Some individuals opt for a Bordeaux wine, especially one from the Left Bank. Bordeaux wines are usually blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other grape varieties. They often feature black fruit flavors, a more substantial structure, and slightly firmer tannins compared to Burgundy wines.
FAQs
What do the French eat with Beef Bourguignon?
Generally, boiled baby potatoes or mashed potatoes are the common sides that the French serve with Beef Bourguignon.
Is Beef Bourguignon served in a bowl or plate?
Beef Bourguignon is traditionally served in a bowl. However, people also use plates to serve this dish since this allows for a more elegant presentation and allows cooks to showcase different components of the dish.
Is Cabernet Sauvignon good for Beef Bourguignon?
Yes, it is an ideal wine to serve with beef Bourguignon. Its bold flavor complements the robust and savory characteristics of the dish.
References:
- Bbcgoodfood – Beef bourguignon recipe – https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/beef-bourguignon
- Wikipedia – Beef bourguignon – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beef_bourguignon
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