Beef bourguignon is a classic French stew made with beef braised in red wine, onions, carrots, garlic, and mushrooms. It’s a hearty, flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter night. But with all those ingredients, it can be tricky to determine what constitutes one serving of this stew. In this article, we’ll break down the typical serving size for beef bourguignon and provide tips on how to portion it out properly.
Serving Size Basics
In general, a single serving of beef bourguignon is about 1 cup or 8 ounces. This is considered one “regular” serving size. However, the exact amount can vary slightly depending on the recipe and ingredients used. Here are some standard serving sizes for beef bourguignon:
- 1 cup or 8 ounces
- About 3/4 pound of finished stew including meat and vegetables
- 1-1.5 cups if served over noodles, rice or mashed potatoes
- 6-8 ounces if served alone in a bowl without starch
These serving sizes are based on typical portion sizes for stews as outlined by the USDA and other health organizations. The most common recommendation is around 1 packed cup or 8 ounces by weight as one single serving.
Factors that Affect Serving Size
There are a few factors that can alter the serving size of beef bourguignon slightly:
- Ingredients used: The specific amounts of meat, vegetables, wine, broth, etc in the recipe will affect the serving size. More meat or veggies will increase the serving size.
- Cooking method: If the stew is simmered for a long time, the liquid will reduce and make it more concentrated, decreasing the serving size slightly.
- Serving with starch: If served over rice, pasta or bread, the total portion size will be larger, around 1-1/2 cups.
- Size of ingredients: Larger chunks of meat or whole mushrooms vs. diced ingredients will make the serving size bigger.
To determine your specific serving size, pay attention to the number and size of pieces of meat and veggies in each scoop of stew. More large chunks may increase the serving size compared to a stew with smaller diced ingredients.
Typical Serving Sizes
To give you a better idea, here are some typical serving sizes for beef bourguignon based on different serving methods and recipe yields:
| Recipe Yield | Serving Size Alone | Serving Size Over Starch |
|---|---|---|
| 4 servings | About 1 1/2 cups | About 1 3/4 cups |
| 6 servings | 1 cup | 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups |
| 8 servings | 3/4 cup | 1 cup |
| 10-12 servings | About 2/3 cup | 3/4 to 1 cup |
As you can see, the serving size ranges from 3/4 to 1 1/2 cups depending on the total yield and serving method. In general, figure around 1 packed cup of stew alone or up to 1 1/2 cups if served over rice, pasta or potatoes.
Tips for Portioning
Here are some tips for portioning out beef bourguignon into proper serving sizes:
- Use a measuring cup to scoop out 1 cup portions.
- Weigh 3-4 ounce portions on a food scale for serving without starch.
- Portion into containers for easy reheating during the week.
- Label leftovers with serving amounts (e.g. 2 servings).
- For family-style meals, use a ladle to dish out 1 to 1 1/2 cup amounts.
- If serving over rice or potatoes, start with those first, then top with stew.
- For noodles, mix the stew and pasta together before portioning out.
You may need to adjust the servings depending on who is eating. Larger, active teenagers or men often consume bigger portions closer to 1 1/2 cups per serving.
Nutrition Information Per Serving
The nutrition information for beef bourguignon can vary significantly based on the specific recipe and ingredients used. However, here are some general nutrition facts for a 1-cup serving:
- Calories: Around 300-450 calories
- Protein: 20-30g
- Fat: 15-25g
- Carbs: 15-30g
- Sodium: 500-800mg
This provides a substantial amount of protein, nutrients, and satisfaction. Keep in mind that serving over starch like rice or pasta will increase the calories, carbs, and overall portion size. A good target is around 500 calories total per serving when factoring in the starch.
Serving Size for Special Diets
People on special diets like low-carb or intermittent fasting may want to adjust the serving size of beef bourguignon. Here are some tips:
- Low-carb: Limit to 1/2 cup stew without starch or loaded cauliflower rice.
- Keto: Keep to 1/2 cup or 6oz portion size. Skip noodles or rice.
- Intermittent fasting: Have 1 cup portion for meal within 8 hour window. Avoid excess calories.
- Weight loss: Reduce to 3/4 cup stew with veggies instead of starch.
- Low sodium: Limit to 3/4 cup per serving to keep sodium around 500mg.
Adjust the serving size down for diets that restrict carbs, calories or sodium. Bulk it up with extra veggies instead of starch. Focus on lean protein and nutrient-dense ingredients.
Serving Size for Leftovers
One of the bonuses of beef bourguignon is that the leftovers keep well for up to 4-5 days refrigerated. Here are some tips for serving sizes with leftovers:
- Portion into individual containers for easy grab-and-go meals.
- Label each container with the serving size (e.g. 2 servings).
- For maximum flavor, freeze leftovers in 1 to 2 cup portions.
- Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating one cup at a time.
- Add fresh veggies, greens or a side salad to leftovers to make them a fresh, complete meal.
Proper labeling and portioning of leftovers will make it easy to enjoy beef bourguignon throughout the week while controlling serving sizes.
Common Serving Options
Here are some of the most common ways to serve and plate beef bourguignon along with typical serving sizes for each:
Over Rice
- 3/4 cup rice
- 1 cup beef bourguignon
- Total plate: About 1 3/4 cups
Over Noodles
- 1 cup cooked egg noodles
- 1 cup beef bourguignon mixed with noodles
- Total plate: Around 2 cups
Over Mashed Potatoes
- 1/2 cup mashed potatoes
- 1 cup beef bourguignon
- Total plate: About 1 1/2 cups
With Crusty Bread
- 1 cup beef bourguignon
- 1 slice crusty baguette
- Total plate: Around 1 1/4 cups
On its Own
- 1 to 1 1/4 cups beef bourguignon alone in a bowl
Adjust the total plate size based on what you are serving the stew over or with. Aim for around 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups total per serving.
Tips for Leftovers
Here are some additional tips for storing and serving leftovers:
- Let cool completely before storing in airtight containers in the fridge.
- Stir gently before storing to evenly distribute sauce.
- Pour liquids into a separate container to avoid soggy leftovers.
- Refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze for 2-3 months.
- Label leftovers with dates, contents and serving amounts.
- Thaw frozen portions overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Add a side salad or steamed veggies to liven up leftovers.
- Serve over fresh pasta or rice to refresh leftovers.
- Stir in extra wine or broth if needed to thin out leftovers.
With proper storage and reheating, beef bourguignon leftovers can be just as delicious as the original meal!
FAQs
What if I made changes to the recipe?
If you increased the meat or veggies, used larger pieces, or reduced the broth, the serving size may need to be adjusted up slightly. Likewise if you decreased the solid ingredients or added more liquid, the servings may be smaller. Check the visual size and weight of a 1 cup portion to determine if you need to adjust the serving amount.
Can I freeze leftovers in individual portions?
Yes, freezing in individual 1 to 2 cup servings is a great way to enjoy beef bourguignon over a longer period of time. Thaw overnight before reheating.
What’s the serving size for children?
For young children under 12, an appropriate serving size is usually 1/2 to 3/4 cup. Adjust up for bigger appetites. Toddlers may only eat 1/4 to 1/3 cup at a time.
Should I weigh or measure servings?
For accuracy, it’s best to both measure and weigh portions using measuring cups and a food scale. 1 cup or 8 ounces is the standard reference serving size.
How can I reduce the calorie count?
Trim excess fat from the meat, use lower sodium broth, serve smaller 6oz portions, and avoid fattening starches. Load up on low cal veggies instead of rice or pasta.
The Bottom Line
When portioning out beef bourguignon, a standard single serving is around 1 cup or 8 ounces by weight. This provides a hearty, satisfying meal full of protein, veggies, and rich flavor. Adjust the serving size up or down based on your recipe and ingredients. Label and portion leftovers properly for easy reheating throughout the week. With its deep, wine-infused flavor and generous portions, beef bourguignon makes the perfect cold weather comfort food.
