1 (3-pound)
boneless chuck roast, patted dry and cut into 2-inch cubes
3 teaspoons
kosher salt
½ teaspoon
freshly cracked black pepper
5 ounces
thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 medium
yellow onion, finely chopped
1 large
carrot, diced
4
garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon
tomato paste
1
bay leaf
2
fresh sprigs of thyme
2 tablespoons
all-purpose flour
3 cups
red wine, such as Burgundy, Pinot Noir or Chianti
4 teaspoons
beef bouillon
2 tablespoons
extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces
cremini mushrooms, halved
8 ounces
pearl onions, peeled (or frozen, thawed)
Mashed potatoes, for serving (optional)
Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
Method
Preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the center position.
Season the beef all over with 2½ teaspoons of the salt and pepper.
Place the bacon in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot set over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon crisps and the fat is rendered, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel–lined plate, reserving the fat in the pan.
Increase the heat to medium-high. Once the fat is just smoking, working in batches, add the beef in a single layer and cook until browned and crisp on all sides, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate and continue with the remaining beef.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the yellow onion and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, bay leaf, and 1 sprig of thyme and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute, or until mostly incorporated with the fat.
Increase the heat to medium-high, pour in the wine and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom, until simmering, 5 minutes. Stir in the bouillon and 1 cup of water and bring to a simmer over high. Return the bacon and beef, along with any collected juices, to the pot. Cover and roast in the oven until the beef is very tender, about 2½ hours.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is just smoking, add the mushrooms and pearl onions and season with the remaining ½ teaspoon of the salt. Cook, undisturbed, until the mushrooms and onions are browned , about 5 minutes. Add ½ cup of water and the remaining teaspoon of bouillon. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the onions are tender, about 10-12 minutes. Uncover, increase the heat to high, and cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are caramelized, 2 to 5 minutes more.
Serve the Beef Bourguignon, pearl onions and mushrooms over mashed potatoes, if using, then sprinkle with parsley.