Desserts That Go With Beef Bourguignon (17+ BEST Desserts!)

Pairing the perfect dessert with beef bourguignon is the ultimate way to round off a rich and hearty meal.

This classic French dish, known for its deep flavour and tender meat, calls for a dessert that complements its robustness without overwhelming your palate.

As you plan your menu, the choice of the dessert should balance the savoury notes of the beef and the wine-infused sauce it’s cooked in.

When selecting a dessert to follow beef bourguignon, consider those with a lighter texture and a refreshing taste.

Fruit-based desserts or those with a hint of acidity can cleanse the palate and provide a pleasant contrast.

Delicate sweetness found in certain puddings or tarts can also be a harmonious match that lets you end your meal on a high note.

Looking for some quick ideas? 

The best desserts that go with beef bourguignon include apple tart, lemon tart, chocolate mousse, dark chocolate truffles, French cheeses, mini chocolate eclairs, sorbet, crème brûlée, poached pears, and profiteroles.  

Let’s take a look at more ideas and serving tips… 

(You’ll also enjoy side dishes for beef bourguignon, and starters for beef bourguignon!) 

Essential Dessert Pairings

When you’re looking for the perfect finish to a hearty beef bourguignon, your dessert choice should offer a light and contrasting taste to cleanse your palate.

Lemon Tart

Lemon tart is a beautiful fruity option. 

The sharpness of the lemon curd, paired with a buttery pastry base, makes for a refreshing end to your meal.

The trick to a perfect balance lies in the quality of the lemon zest – ensure it’s fresh to achieve that vibrant burst of citrus.

• Key Ingredients: Fresh lemons, unsalted butter, sugar, and eggs.
• Tip: Serve chilled with a dollop of crème fraîche to add a creamy texture that complements the tart’s acidity.

French Apple Tart

Alternatively, a French apple tart provides a subtler tang with a hint of sweetness that’s not overpowering.

The thinly sliced apples, arranged atop an almond frangipane in a crisp pastry shell, are sometimes glazed with apricot jam to enhance their natural tartness.

• Key Ingredients: Apples (Granny Smith or Braeburn), almond meal, apricot jam, and shortcrust pastry.
• Serving Suggestion: Warm slightly and serve with a side of vanilla ice cream for a lovely contrast in temperatures and flavours.

Chocolate Delights

If you prefer something chocolatey, a chocolate mousse or dark chocolate truffles are indulgent without being too heavy.

• Chocolate Mousse: Airy chocolate paired with whipped cream.
• Dark Chocolate Truffles: Bite-sized and bittersweet, perfect for a rich yet delicate finish.

Cheese Course 

A selection of French cheeses can act as a dessert for those with a less sweet tooth.

Comté

• Region: Franche-Comté, France
• Texture: Firm
• Tasting Notes: Nutty and slightly sweet

Comté pairs beautifully with the depth of beef bourguignon.

For a balanced taste, opt for slices that have been aged between 12 to 18 months.

This allows for a supple texture and complex flavour profile.

Brie

• Region: Île-de-France, France
• Texture: Soft
• Tasting Notes: Creamy, buttery with a hint of earthiness

Brie offers a gentle contrast to the robust nature of the beef dish.

To fully appreciate its flavour, serve the cheese at room temperature.

It’s a delightful choice to mellow the palate before advancing to the final sweet course.

Sorbet

For a lighter option, consider sorbet.

Flavours like raspberry or lemon cleanse the palate and are especially refreshing after a warm stew.

Choose a single flavour or a combination for variety.

Petit Fours

Petit fours offer a small but satisfying conclusion with their assortment of mini pastries and chocolates.

Mini éclairs, fruit tartlets, and chocolate bonbons are all great choices for desserts that go with beef bourguignon when you want something light. 

Classic French Desserts

After enjoying the rich and hearty flavours of beef bourguignon, you’ll want a dessert that’s equally luxurious yet provides a delicate contrast.

French desserts are celebrated for their sophistication and indulgence, perfect for rounding off your meal! 

Chocolate Mousse

Your quest for the perfect post-bourguignon treat could well end with chocolate mousse.

This quintessentially French dessert is all about simplicity paired with elegance.

It’s made with just a few high-quality ingredients: dark chocolate, eggs, sugar, and a touch of butter.

You’ll adore its airy and smooth texture, offering a sweet but not overly heavy finish to your meal.

Crème Brûlée

Imagine the satisfying tap of your spoon breaking through the burnt sugar topping of a crème brûlée.

Below this crispy caramelised layer lies a creamy custard that’s infused with vanilla, creating a symphony of textures and flavours.

This dessert is not just a treat for your palate, but also for your ears and eyes, making it an all-encompassing sensory delight.

Light and Fruity Options

After indulging in the rich flavours of beef bourguignon, you’ll want a dessert that’s refreshing and light.

Fruity desserts make a perfect palate cleanser and provide a delightful contrast.

Poached Pears

Poached pears are a classic choice that pairs beautifully with the hearty dish.

You’ll find the subtle sweetness and soft texture of pears poached in white wine and spices offer a soothing finish.

Opt for a crisp variety like Conference or Comice, and consider serving them with a dollop of crème fraîche.

Decadent Finishers

After savouring the rich flavours of a beef bourguignon, you’d want a dessert that’s equally impressive.

These French classics with a twist will certainly elevate your dining experience.

Profiteroles

You’ll find profiteroles to be a delightful contrast to the hearty main course.

They are small choux pastry balls filled with cream and typically drizzled with warm, velvety chocolate sauce.

To enjoy profiteroles at their best:

• Ensure the choux pastry is light and airy
• Opt for a vanilla bean cream filling for an authentic taste
• Use high-quality dark chocolate for the sauce for a luxurious finish

Tarte Tatin

A classic tarte tatin offers a sweet and fruity counterbalance.

This upside-down pastry features caramelised apples atop a buttery, crisp pastry base.

Key points to perfect your tarte tatin:

• Caramelise the apples with care, achieving a deep amber hue without burning the sugar
• Select a puff pastry that’s all-butter for richer flavour
• Serve with a dollop of crème fraîche to cut through the sweetness

Wine Pairings

Wine can make a fantastic addition to desserts that go with beef bourguignon! 

Sweet White Wines

When choosing a sweet white wine, opt for one with a balanced acidity to cut through the sweetness of the dessert.

Sauternes and Riesling are excellent choices; their sweetness level ranges from delicately sweet to richly honeyed which can pair well with fruit-based desserts or lighter confections.

• Sauternes: This opulent wine from Bordeaux exhibits lush flavours with ample acidity, making it a brilliant match for a lemon tart.
• Riesling: A German Riesling, especially a Spätlese or Auslese, delivers a crisp sweetness, pairing well with a simple fruit fool or a spiced apple cake.

Port and Fortified Wines

A glass of port or other fortified wines offers a robust partner to dessert, thanks to their intensity and depth.

With notes of dried fruit and spices, these wines embrace the essence of flavoursome desserts.

• Tawny Port: Its nutty, caramel-toned character complements desserts like chocolate torte or a walnut and coffee pavlova.
• Ruby Port: A fruity and vibrant companion great with red fruit desserts such as a mixed berry clafoutis.

Non-Alcoholic Complements

When selecting non-alcoholic drinks to accompany beef bourguignon, you want something that can refresh the palate without overshadowing the rich flavours of the dish.

Infused Waters

Infused waters are a delightful way to cleanse your palate between bites of beef bourguignon.

Consider options such as:

• Cucumber & Mint: A classic combination that offers a cool, subtle taste.
• Orange & Rosemary: The citrus provides a tangy zest, while rosemary adds a Mediterranean twist.

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas can also be a warm and soothing match for your meal. Select blends that complement rather than compete with the taste of the stew.

• Chamomile Tea: Known for its calming effects, its light floral notes can be a pleasant contrast.
• Peppermint Tea: Offers a refreshing aftertaste that can help digest the hearty course.

After-Dinner Digestifs

When you’re winding down from the hearty flavours of a beef bourguignon, your palate may appreciate a well-chosen digestif.

These are spirits traditionally consumed post-meal to aid digestion.

Explore some classic options:

• Brandy: A versatile choice, appreciated for its warming qualities.
• Port: A sweet fortified wine; the richness complements beef well.
• Armagnac: Similar to brandy, but often with a more complex flavour profile.

Typically, you would serve these in small quantities. A guide is as follows:

Digestif	Serving Size
Brandy	25ml
Port	50ml
Armagnac	25ml

Remember, these are meant to be sipped slowly. This allows you to savour the flavours while leisurely aiding digestion.

Choose one to your taste and enjoy the mellow closing moments of your meal.

Presentation Tips

When presenting desserts after a rich dish like beef bourguignon, you aim to complement the meal rather than overpower it.

Your dessert choice should balance the robust flavours of the main course with a lighter, perhaps slightly refreshing, end to the meal.

• Colour Contrast: Enhance visual appeal by choosing desserts with colours that contrast with the deep hues of beef bourguignon.For example, a lemon tart provides a vibrant yellow against the deep brown.
• Serve Size: Offer small, individual portions.This practice not only adds elegance to your presentation but also allows your guests to enjoy the dessert without feeling overwhelmed.

Here’s a simple way to set up your dessert presentation:

Step	Description
1. Plate Selection	Opt for neutral-coloured plates that make your dessert the star of the show.
2. Garnishing	Use fresh herbs or a dusting of powdered sugar for a chic touch.
3. Temperature	Serve your dessert at the ideal temperature. A chilled mousse or sorbet can be particularly refreshing.

 

Which of these desserts will you be serving with your beef bourguignon? 

Leave a comment below and share your thoughts! 

If you love exploring dessert ideas to match your meal plans, you might also be interested to read desserts that go with roast beef, and desserts that go with meatloaf.