What Starter Goes With Beef Bourguignon? 6 BEST Choices!
Sophisticated but simple, elegant yet satisfying, beef bourguignon is a beautiful French dish that ticks the boxes for dinner parties and cosy family meals alike.
But when you want to put in the extra effort to create multiple courses, what starter goes with beef bourguignon?
Whether you want something quick and easy or you want to take a little time to practice your cookery skills, we’re going to take a look at the perfect pairings to try.
What starter goes with beef bourguignon?
Good choices for starters that go with beef bourguignon include chicken liver pate on sourdough toast, cucumber radish salad, stuffed mushrooms, puff pastry cheese straws, roasted figs with prosciutto, and oysters with champagne.
These options are refined and stylish, yet don’t have to be overly fussy or pretentious.
Read on to get the best tips, recipes, and advice for making a starter to remember…
1. Chicken liver pate on sourdough toast
Chicken liver pate is a classic, unfussy starter that pairs so well with so many different main courses, and beef bourguignon is definitely one of them.
Working with chicken livers can feel a little overwhelming, though this chicken liver pate recipe is easy to follow, and the best part is that you can do all your prep the day before, leaving you plenty of time and space to focus on your main meal.
Serve on small wooden boards with sourdough toast and a generous dollop of onion chutney.
2. Cucumber radish salad
Beef bourguignon is a rich dish, so a light and refreshing salad is an ideal way to begin the meal.
You don’t even need to follow a recipe for this one, as it’s so straightforward that it’s just a case of prepping a handful of ingredients!
Slice up cucumber, onion, and a bunch of radishes, and dress with olive oil, lemon juice, dill, and seasoning.
This salad is the best choice when you want to serve a starter to your guests, but you want to ensure that it doesn’t outshine the main meal.
(Be sure to also check out desserts that go with beef bourguignon!)
3. Stuffed mushrooms
The earthy, savoury flavour of mushrooms lends itself so well to being a starter for beef bourguignon.
These chestnut stuffed mushrooms have a herby, nutty filling, and a crisp garlicky breadcrumb topping.
Of course though, you’ve got plenty of different options to explore. Ideas for fillings include goats cheese, bacon lardons, spinach, and even cranberries.
Serve on a white plate with some green leaves, and you’ve got yourself a stylish appetiser that’s fabulous for entertaining.
4. Puff pastry cheese straws
If you fancy going for a casual starter for beef bourguignon, I highly recommend trying puff pastry cheese straws!
They’re wonderful, slightly retro but totally delicious nibbles that everyone can enjoy with a glass of their favourite tipple whilst you put any final touches to your meal in the kitchen.
A communal starter like this one is brilliant if you know that your diners will have differing appetites. Those who love a big feast can tuck in, and those who want to save themselves for the stew can just have a nibble.
These cheese straws will be a hit with kids too.
5. Roasted figs with prosciutto
Imagine delicate mouthfuls of tender and syrupy figs, wrapped with silky, salty slivers of prosciutto. Delish!
This roasted figs starter is particularly beautiful when figs are in season, and you can make the most of readily available local produce.
If you’re a lover of going the extra mile with presentation, thread your figs and meat slices on to cocktail sticks.
6. Oysters with champagne
Okay, so this one is definitely a little bit on the extravagant side! But if you’re celebrating something special and you really want to impress, nothing says luxury quite like a starter of oysters and champagne.
When oysters are at their best, they’re light and bright, briny and sweet, and they are perfectly complemented by a glass of quality bubbly.
Preparing oysters can be intimidating, but it’s actually pretty simple once you get to grips with it, and it’s a skill that will serve you well for dinner parties and special occasions for many years to come.
Stick with a minimalist approach to preparation. Ditch any fancy sauces or garnishes in favour of a squeeze of fresh lemon. The whole point of serving oysters raw is to celebrate their beautiful simplicity, rather than masking the beautiful flavours.
The best starters to serve with beef bourguignon
Traditional and satisfying, the classic beef bourguignon deserves a starter with a touch of elegance and class. The best choices are:
- Chicken liver pate on sourdough toast
- Cucumber radish salad
- Stuffed mushrooms
- Puff pastry cheese straws
- Roasted figs with prosciutto
- Oysters with champagne
Select your favourite, and enjoy!
Before you get busy in the kitchen, make sure you check out my guide to the best side dishes for beef bourguignon.
