Oh my goodness, are you ready for a hug in a bowl? Seriously, when the weather turns chilly, I ditch everything and head straight for my Dutch oven. Today, we are tackling a classic: Mushroom Bourguignon. Forget everything you think you know about stew; this vegetarian version is so rich and savory, I promise you won’t even miss the beef!
This recipe is my go-to when I need serious comfort food that still feels fancy enough for guests. The secret is really getting those mushrooms deep dark brown before they even kiss the wine. When you finally add that Pinot Noir and the thyme, the smell that fills your kitchen? Absolutely intoxicating!
We’re going to make sure everybody can Indulge In Delicious Mushroom Bourguignon Today, and trust me, the whole process is surprisingly straightforward once you nail that initial sear. It’s hearty, it’s complex, and honestly, it’s proof that vegetarian cooking can be the most decadent thing on the table.
Why You Should Indulge In Delicious Mushroom Bourguignon Today
I’m telling you, this isn’t just some boring vegetable stew. This is the hearty main course you crave all winter long. If you need convincing, here are the top reasons you must make this RIGHT NOW:
- It’s unbelievably rich, thanks to that deep red wine reduction. It tastes like it cooked all day, even though it’s ready in under an hour!
- The texture on these mushrooms is just perfect. We get them chewy and meaty, never soggy, which is essential.
- It looks incredibly sophisticated! Seriously, serve this next time you have company; nobody will ever guess it’s vegetarian.
- The flavor profile is pure comfort. That balance of earthy mushrooms, tart wine, and savory herbs is my definition of cozy.
- It’s surprisingly fast! With only about 15 minutes of prep, you can have this deeply flavored stew on the table almost as quickly as some weeknight chicken dishes.
- It tastes even better the next day. Hello, easy leftovers!
Essential Ingredients to Indulge In Delicious Mushroom Bourguignon Today
Okay, gather your supplies! For this stew to truly sing—we need good ingredients. Don’t skimp on that wine, honestly. I suggest a Pinot Noir or a good Merlot; something you wouldn’t mind sipping alongside dinner. For the mushrooms, I always use a mix—cremini and shiitake give you the best earthy flavor and texture profile.
You’ll need about a pound of mixed mushrooms, all quartered or halved depending on how big they are. Don’t forget your aromatics: one big onion chopped up, two good carrots sliced thick, and a couple of cloves of garlic minced finely. That tomato paste is vital; it deepens the color and the entire flavor base!
We need 1 1/2 cups of that dry red wine, coupled with two cups of vegetable broth. For seasoning, we rely on dried thyme and one lonely bay leaf. And of course, a little flour to help that sauce thicken up beautifully. Remember to season generously with salt and pepper at the end—that’s when the magic really happens when you taste everything together.
Ingredient Notes and Substitution Tips
Now, let’s talk cheating a little bit—because we all do it! My biggest tip, which I added in the notes, is using dried porcini mushrooms if you can find them. Soak maybe half an ounce in hot water for 20 minutes before you start. When you pull them out (squeeze ’em dry!), strain that soaking liquid carefully and add it right in with your vegetable broth. Talk about an umami bomb!
If you are really heavy-handed with the wine, or if your wine reduction isn’t quite as thick as you hoped, don’t panic. You can always skip adding some of the vegetable broth initially and just reduce the wine until it’s syrupy. This concentrates that glorious flavor!
Also, keep that bay leaf handy until the very end. It does its work simmering away, but you definitely don’t want anyone biting into that tough little leaf!
Equipment Needed to Indulge In Delicious Mushroom Bourguignon Today
You don’t need a kitchen full of fancy gadgets for this one, thank goodness. If you have a good, sturdy pot, you are already halfway there! What matters most here is heat retention and surface area.
My absolute non-negotiable tool is a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven. If you don’t have one, a large, heavy stockpot will work, but I highly recommend the Dutch oven because we need serious browning power.
Why the heavy pot? Because we are cooking those mushrooms for nearly ten minutes, forcing out their water and caramelizing them. If your pot is too thin, the bottom will scorch before the mushrooms get that gorgeous, deep brown color we need. You want to see those lovely browned bits—the fond—building up on the bottom; that is pure flavor!
- A heavy Dutch oven or large, thick-bottomed pot (this is your workhorse!).
- A sturdy wooden spoon or heat-safe spatula for stirring, especially when you scrape up those browned bits later.
- A basic cutting board and a sharp knife for getting those onions, carrots, and mushrooms prepped.
- A ladle for safely pouring in the wine and broth without making a huge mess.
Honestly, that’s it! The beauty of this Mushroom Bourguignon is that it’s primarily a one-pot wonder. Get your equipment ready, and you’re set to go for the next steps!
Step-by-Step Instructions to Indulge In Delicious Mushroom Bourguignon Today
Alright, let’s get cooking! We’re moving with purpose now. Remember, the whole thing takes about 15 minutes of hands-on prep and then about 45 minutes of cooking time, which is fantastic for a meal this rich. The whole experience is very hands-off once it hits that simmer phase, so you can put your feet up!
First things first: get that olive oil hot in your Dutch oven. We want shimmering heat before anything goes in. Once it’s ready, toss in those lovely mushrooms. This is where patience pays off because you need to let them sit! Don’t stir them constantly like you’re making scrambled eggs; we need them to dry out and start taking on some color. This takes a good 8 to 10 minutes. Once they are browned, scoop them out and let them chill on a plate for a bit.
Next up are the vegetables that bulk up the stew: the onions and carrots. Cook those down until they start getting soft—about 5 minutes. Then, toss in your garlic and tomato paste. Stir this mixture rapidly for just a minute. Now, here’s the key technique before the wine goes in: sprinkle that tablespoon of flour right over the veggies and stir it around for one more minute. This cooks out the raw flour taste and gets ready to grab onto that liquid.
Pour in that gorgeous red wine. Don’t be shy! Use your wooden spoon to scrape up every single delicious brown bit stuck to the bottom of the pot—that’s called the fond, and it’s literally concentrated flavor for our Bourguignon sauce. Let that wine bubble and reduce down by about half, which takes about 5 minutes on the heat.
Finally, pour in the veggie broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring it back up to a simmer, put those browned mushrooms back home in the pot, add salt and pepper to taste, cover it up tight, and drop the heat way down low. Now we wait for 30 minutes!
Achieving the Perfect Mushroom Sauté for Indulge In Delicious Mushroom Bourguignon Today
Seriously, listen to me on the mushrooms. If you crowd the pan, they will steam instead of sear. Browning them is achieving that Maillard reaction—that’s the scientific name for creating deep, rich, savory flavors that make this dish taste like it’s simmered for hours. If you have a small pot, cook those mushrooms in two separate batches! It’s worth the extra three minutes of cooking time to get that perfect, deep mahogany color instead of pale grey caps.

Simmering and Thickening the Sauce for Indulge In Delicious Mushroom Bourguignon Today
Once everything is back in the pot and you’ve dropped the heat to low, cover it. That trapped steam helps cook the carrots tenderly. You want that low, gentle burble for the full 30 minutes. This is where the flour you added earlier works its magic and thickens the wine and broth into that luxurious sauce. Taste it right before you take it off the heat. Does it need a little more salt? That’s your last chance to adjust seasoning before serving!
Tips for Success When You Indulge In Delicious Mushroom Bourguignon Today
The written recipe gets you 90% of the way there, for sure. But I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that take this from great to absolutely unforgettable. These little secrets are what separate a good stew from a spectacular one!
First up, and this is a big one: give it a moment to rest. I know you’re starving, but if you can pull this off the heat, take the lid off, and just let it sit quietly on the stovetop for 10 or 15 minutes before you serve, the flavors absolutely marry together. The wine, the herbs, the earthiness of the mushrooms—it all settles down and deepens. It’s like letting a good story breathe before the punchline!
Secondly, let’s talk about boosting that savory power. Remember how I mentioned using dried porcini mushrooms? That’s my ultimate hack! Even if you don’t want to add the mushrooms themselves, soaking those dried ones just for the liquid—that intensely flavored mushroom water—is like adding a secret umami booster. Pour that strained liquid right into the pot with your vegetable broth. Trust me, your stew will thank you for the extra depth!
My third pointer deals with seasoning. Because we are dealing with wine and broth, you need to be generous with salt and pepper at that final seasoning check, right before you ladle it into bowls. The flour and the vegetables soak up so much flavor during that 30-minute simmer, so often, people under-season the final product. Taste it after it rests for 10 minutes, and then adjust again if you need to wake the flavors up. A tiny splash of aged balsamic vinegar can sometimes do the trick if it tastes flat!
Lastly, if you’re making a big batch, think about your homemade bouillon cubes or stock if you have any on hand. Store-bought can sometimes be too salty, so using a homemade, low-sodium broth gives you total control over the final salt level of your stew.
Serving Suggestions for Your Indulge In Delicious Mushroom Bourguignon Today
Now that you’ve gone through all that wonderful effort to create this incredibly savory stew, the question becomes: what do we put it on? Because this Mushroom Bourguignon is so rich and saucy—that gorgeous wine reduction just begs to be soaked up—we need simple starches underneath it. This recipe should give you exactly four satisfying servings, so plan accordingly!
My absolute favorite, the one that truly honors the French inspiration for this dish, has to be creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes. We’re talking about potatoes whipped until they are almost cloud-like. The earthiness of the mushrooms just sinks right into those buttery spuds. It’s pure elegance and comfort all rolled into one bite.

If potatoes feel like too much work, don’t stress! A wide, sturdy egg noodle offers a fantastic base. They hold the sauce well without competing with the mushroom flavor. Or, if you just want instant gratification, grab a loaf of really crusty bread. I mean the kind that has that hard, crackly crust. Dipping that crusty bread into the sauce at the end is mandatory, in my opinion. It cleans the bowl perfectly!
If you want to serve a side dish that feels a little lighter but still fits the savory vibe, toss some green beans with a tiny bit of lemon zest and maybe some toasted almonds. It gives you a nice little crunch and cuts through the richness of the stew perfectly. Or, if you happen to have made a fresh batch of my famous fluffy dinner rolls recently, those are perfect for soaking up the last drops of that amazing wine sauce too!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Indulge In Delicious Mushroom Bourguignon Today
This is great news: Mushroom Bourguignon is one of those magical dishes that gets even better overnight! So don’t feel like you have to eat all four servings in one sitting; save some for later because the flavors just keep mingling deliciously in the fridge. That deep, savory profile intensifies beautifully after a good chill.
When you are ready to put the leftovers away, make sure they cool down slightly first—you don’t want to immediately put a piping hot pot of stew into the fridge, it can mess with the temperature of everything else in there. Transfer the stew (make sure you fish out that bay leaf if you forgot earlier!) into a sturdy, airtight container. It should keep perfectly well in the refrigerator for four to five days. I always make sure the container has a lid that seals tightly so my fridge doesn’t start smelling exclusively like red wine and thyme!
Now, how do we bring it back to life? I strongly, strongly recommend reheating this on the stovetop. Pop the leftover stew right into a clean pot over medium-low heat. You might need to add just a tiny splash of extra vegetable broth or water while it warms up because the sauce thickens quite a bit overnight as it cools.
Stir it gently as it warms through until it’s steaming hot all the way to the center. Using the stovetop allows you to control the texture perfectly and bring that sauce back to that glorious, velvety consistency we worked so hard for earlier. Microwaving is fine in a pinch, but I find it can sometimes make the mushrooms warm up unevenly. Cook low and slow, stir often, and you’ll be enjoying your day-two Mushroom Bourguignon like it was freshly made!
Frequently Asked Questions About Indulge In Delicious Mushroom Bourguignon Today
Whenever I share this vegetarian recipe, people always have a few quick questions about adjustments, especially since using a good wine is key to that authentic flavor profile. I’ve gathered the most common things folks ask when they are ready to Indulge In Delicious Mushroom Bourguignon Today. Hopefully, I’ve covered what you need to know so you can get this amazing stew on your table stress-free!
Can I use a non-alcoholic substitute for the red wine?
Yes, you absolutely can! I totally get that not everyone wants to cook with wine, or maybe you only have non-alcoholic options on hand. If you skip the wine, though, you have to replace that essential acidity and depth. My favorite way to cheat is using high-quality vegetable broth—maybe using a recipe like the one you find for our best pot roast substitutes if you need good broth—and stir in about a tablespoon of good balsamic vinegar. The vinegar gives you the necessary punch and tang that the wine usually provides. Just be sure you still cook it down for those 5 minutes to concentrate the flavor slightly before adding the rest of the liquid!
How do I ensure my mushrooms get deeply browned?
This is the most important cooking step, so I’m glad you asked! You need them deeply browned, not just softened. If you put a whole pound of mushrooms into a standard Dutch oven all at once, they release all their water and just steam into sad little grey things. Don’t let that happen!
The real trick is cooking them in batches—probably two or three batches, depending on the size of your pot. Add just enough oil for the mushrooms in that batch, and let them sit undisturbed for 4 or 5 minutes until they naturally start releasing liquid. Once the liquid starts evaporating, *then* you can stir them gently until they are browned and sticking to the bottom. Remove that first batch, wipe out the pot if there’s too much residue, and repeat with the next batch. It takes longer, I know, but that deep sear is non-negotiable for real, complex flavor!

How can I make the sauce thicker if it seems too thin?
If you finish your 30-minute simmer and the sauce still looks too much like soup rather than a rich sauce, don’t sweat it! You have two easy options. The quickest way, as I mentioned in the notes, is to simply take the lid off the pot, crank the heat up just a tad above low, and let it simmer uncovered for the last 5 to 10 minutes. Watch it closely—it will thicken up quickly!
If you’re worried about overcooking the vegetables at that higher heat, you can always make a small slurry. Mix one teaspoon of cornstarch with two teaspoons of cold water until it’s completely smooth. Then, stir that slurry slowly into the simmering stew. Because we used flour already, you usually just need a tiny bit of cornstarch to get it where you want it. Let it bubble for two minutes after adding the slurry, and boom—perfectly glossy, thick sauce!
Is this recipe truly vegetarian? Does it use any animal products?
Absolutely, this recipe is completely vegetarian! We use vegetable broth instead of beef stock, and intentionally selected mushrooms as the star of the show. There is no meat, no chicken stock, or any hidden animal products in the required recipe list. It’s also naturally Cholesterol-free and contains zero grams of Trans Fat, which is a bonus when you’re indulging in something this rich!
Nutritional Snapshot for Indulge In Delicious Mushroom Bourguignon Today
Okay, I know some of you look at rich, wine-soaked meals and immediately wonder about the damage. The good news is that since we skipped the beef and focused on hearty vegetables, this Mushroom Bourguignon holds up surprisingly well for a decadent main course!
I ran the numbers based on the serving sizes and typical ingredient usage, and here is what you’re looking at for one serving (the recipe yields about 4 servings). Remember, this is just an estimate, like everything else!
- Calories: Around 280 per serving. Pretty good for something this satisfying!
- Fat: About 9 grams total, with very little saturated fat, which keeps it lighter than a beef version.
- Carbohydrates: Around 35 grams, mostly coming from the vegetables and the small amount of flour used to thicken the sauce.
- Protein: A solid 10 grams, mainly thanks to the mushrooms, which are great sources of plant-based protein.
We’ve also managed to keep the sugar pretty low at only 8 grams, which is excellent when you consider that deep brown flavor comes more from the wine reduction and tomato paste than added sweeteners.
Now, I have to give you the classic little disclaimer that everyone who posts recipes has to give: These nutrition facts are just an educated guess based on the ingredients listed. If you use a super fatty wine, or if you double the olive oil when searing the mushrooms, those numbers might shift a bit! Also, if you serve this over a big pile of buttered egg noodles—and you absolutely should—you’ll need to add the nutrition for those sides separately. Eat well and enjoy!
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Mushroom Bourguignon
- Total Time: 60 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich, savory stew featuring mushrooms cooked in red wine sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound mixed mushrooms, quartered or halved
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups dry red wine (like Pinot Noir)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add mushrooms and cook until they release their liquid and start to brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove mushrooms and set aside.
- Add onion and carrots to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute.
- Pour in red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let the wine simmer and reduce slightly for 5 minutes.
- Add vegetable broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
- Return the mushrooms to the pot. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the vegetables are tender.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, use dried porcini mushrooms soaked in hot water; add the strained soaking liquid to the stew.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook uncovered for the last 10 minutes of simmering.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: mushroom, bourguignon, stew, vegetarian, red wine, french, comfort food
