French Bistro Poached Eggs with Red Wine Sauce (Oeufs en Meurette)

April 17, 2025

A Burgundian classic, this elegant French dish pairs silky poached eggs with a rich red wine reduction, often served over toast or mashed potatoes. It’s a cozy, restaurant-worthy meal you can easily make at home.

French Bistro Poached Eggs with Red Wine Sauce (Oeufs en Meurette)

🍴 Ingredients (Serves 2)

  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups dry red wine (like Pinot Noir or Burgundy)
  • 1 cup beef or chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 4 oz bacon or pancetta, chopped
  • 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Toasted baguette slices or mashed potatoes, for serving
  • Chopped parsley, for garnish

🔥 Instructions

Sauté the Base:
In a large skillet or saucepan, cook the chopped bacon or pancetta over medium heat until crisp. Remove and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.

Build the Sauce:
Add butter to the pan, then sauté onion and garlic until softened. Stir in mushrooms and cook until browned. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and cook for 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste, then add the red wine, stock, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook until reduced and thickened, about 15–20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove herbs.

Poached Eggs with Red Wine Sauce

Poach the Eggs:
In a separate saucepan, bring water to a gentle simmer. Add a splash of vinegar if desired. Crack each egg into a small bowl and gently slide into the water. Poach for 3–4 minutes until whites are set but yolks remain runny. Remove with a slotted spoon and gently pat dry.

Assemble and Serve:
Place poached eggs over toasted baguette slices or mashed potatoes. Spoon warm red wine sauce over the top and garnish with crispy bacon and parsley.

📦 Amazon Must-Haves to Help You Create the Best Poached Eggs with Red Wine Sauce

  • 🍷 Burgundy Cooking Wine — Choose a bold, dry red to give this dish its signature depth.
  • 🍳 Slotted Spoon — Essential for lifting delicate poached eggs from hot water with care.
  • 🥄 Saucepan Set — Perfect for reducing sauces and poaching eggs simultaneously.
  • 🧂 French Sea Salt — Finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a true gourmet touch.

💡 Helpful Tip: Make the red wine sauce ahead and gently reheat when ready to poach the eggs. It’s a perfect brunch dish when you’re short on time but want full-on flavor.