Beef Velouté
Prep
20 mins
Cook
45 mins
Servings
4
Difficulty
Medium
Making beef velouté at home is easier than you might think, and it's a wonderful comfort dish that comes together in just 45 minutes. This silky French classic uses affordable beef chuck that becomes incredibly tender as it simmers, creating a rich, velvety sauce that's perfect over pasta, potatoes, or crusty bread. I love that tomato paste adds depth while also providing lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that supports heart health. The beauty of this recipe is how straightforward it is: you simply sauté your vegetables, build a roux, and let everything simmer together. It's an impressive dinner that tastes like you've spent hours in the kitchen, but honestly, it's a weeknight winner.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 600 mlbeef stock
- 40 gbutter
- 30 gall-purpose flour
- 300 gbeef chuck(diced into small pieces)
- 1onion(diced)
- 1carrot(diced)
- 1celery(diced)
- 15 gtomato paste
- 100 mldry red wine
- 1bay leaf
- 3 gfresh thyme
- 5 gsalt(to taste)
- 2 gblack pepper(to taste)
- 100 mlcream
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Heat 20g butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Season the diced beef with salt and pepper, then brown it on all sides for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the beef and set aside.
Tip: Don't overcrowd the pan; work in batches if needed for better browning.
- 2
In the same pan, add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized, stirring frequently.
Tip: This vegetable mixture (mirepoix) builds the flavor foundation of your velouté.
- 3
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, coating the vegetables well. Pour in the red wine and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze, loosening all the flavorful browned bits.
Tip: The deglazing step adds tremendous depth to the sauce.
- 4
Return the beef to the pan along with the beef stock, bay leaf, and fresh thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the beef is very tender and the flavors have melded.
Tip: A slow simmer ensures tender meat and well-developed flavors.
- 5
While the beef simmers, prepare a beurre manié by mixing the remaining 20g softened butter with the flour until you have a smooth paste. This will thicken your velouté.
Tip: Beurre manié creates a silky, lump-free thickening without raw flour taste.
- 6
Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean saucepan, pressing gently on the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the vegetables and beef solids.
Tip: Straining creates the signature smooth, velvety texture of a velouté.
- 7
Return the strained sauce to medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in small pieces of the beurre manié paste, stirring constantly until fully incorporated. The sauce will thicken as it simmers.
Tip: Add the thickening paste gradually and whisk well to avoid lumps.
- 8
Once the sauce reaches your desired consistency (it should coat the back of a spoon), reduce heat to low and stir in the cream. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper.
Tip: The cream adds richness and mellows any sharp flavors from the wine.
Recipe Variations
Get AI-powered ingredient substitution suggestions.
You Might Also Like
Tropical Quinoa
This tropical quinoa bowl has become my go to weeknight dinner because it comes together in just forty minutes and tastes like a mini vacation on a plate. Quinoa is one of my favorite ingredients since it's a complete protein with all nine essential amino acids, making it so satisfying and perfect for keeping energy levels steady. The combination of papaya, red bell pepper, and fresh cilantro brings vibrant flavors and colors, while the rice wine vinegar and orange zest add just the right brightness. Best part is the ingredient list is simple and affordable, yet feels fancy enough to impress anyone at your table.
Beergarita
My go to drink for summer gatherings is this refreshing Beergarita, and let me tell you, it's a total crowd pleaser. The combination of tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and a cold Corona creates something that tastes way more complicated than it actually is. Lime juice is packed with vitamin C, which is great for your immune system, and the whole thing takes just five minutes to throw together. Best part? It's incredibly budget friendly since you're probably already stocking most of these ingredients anyway.
Yuzu Collins
Have you tried a Yuzu Collins? This is my go to drink when I want something refreshing that comes together in just five minutes. The yuzu juice adds this beautiful citrus brightness that feels fancy but honestly couldn't be easier to make. I love that yuzu is packed with vitamin C, so you're basically getting a little immune boost while you enjoy your cocktail. It's the kind of drink that impresses friends without requiring any special bartending skills, perfect for a casual evening at home.
Reviews
Sign in to write a review.