Pot-au-Feu — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

Pot-au-feu is the French boiled dinner, and its whole point is a clear, deep broth, so you start the meat in cold water and never let it boil hard. Skim faithfully in the first hour and the broth stays clean; the vegetables go in staggered so each is cooked but not falling apart.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 6 servings

Beef shank and brisket

Tough cuts with collagen that turn tender and give the broth body over the long simmer.

3 lb

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Marrow bones

Their marrow enriches the broth and is spread on toast at the table.

4 pieces

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Beef broth

Started with water but reinforced with stock for a fuller base.

2 cups

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Bread

Toasted for the marrow and to sop up the broth.

1 baguette

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Mustard

Served alongside as the classic sharp condiment for the boiled beef.

1/4 cup

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Carrot, leek, onion, and turnip

The vegetables that flavor the broth and become the boiled dinner.

assorted

Carrot → Onion →

Using beef shank? It behaves the way it does for a reason — what this cut is for and how to cook it →

The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● Squeaky clean

About as virtuous as dinner gets. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time

EffortA project

Cook it with

Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot

The Method

Start coldCover the beef and bones with cold water, bring slowly to a bare simmer, and never let it roll.
SkimSkim the gray foam repeatedly during the first hour so the broth stays clear.
SimmerAdd an onion and aromatics and simmer gently 3 hours until the meat is tender.
Add vegetablesAdd carrots, leeks, and turnips in the last 40 minutes so each is cooked through but holds together.
ServeStrain the broth, slice the meat, and serve with marrow toasts, mustard, and coarse salt.

The Toolkit

Stockpot · Fine strainer · Ladle · Skimmer · Butcher twine

Straight Answers

Can you make Pot-au-Feu in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Pot-au-Feu? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Pot-au-Feu ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Pot-au-Feu gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).

Is Pot-au-Feu vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.685

Pot-au-Feu, and where to source it