Côte de Veau Grand-Mère is a beloved Parisian bistro classic: thick bone-in veal chops braised with smoky lardons, golden pearl onions, earthy mushrooms, and a glossy white-wine pan sauce. It is rustic, generous comfort cooking the way a French grandmother would make it on a Sunday afternoon.
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time50 mins
Total Time70 mins
Servings4
Yield4 veal chops with sauce
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (estimated)
- 615 kcalCalories
- 38 gFat
- 14 gSaturated Fat
- 12 gCarbs
- 2 gFiber
- 5 gSugar
- 48 gProtein
- 780 mgSodium
- 980 mgPotassium
- 65 mgCalcium
- 3.6 mgIron
- 7 mgVitamin C
- 190 mcgVitamin A
Ingredients
For the veal and vegetables
- 4 bone-in veal rib chops, about 8 oz (225 g) each and 1 inch thick, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 oz (115 g) thick-cut smoked bacon or lardons, diced
- 12 oz (340 g) cremini mushrooms, quartered
- 14 oz (400 g) pearl onions, peeled
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
For the braising liquid and finishing
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) dry white wine, such as Muscadet
- 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) low-sodium veal or chicken stock
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Pat the veal chops dry and season both sides generously with the salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large enameled cast-iron braiser or heavy ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the veal chops in batches until deeply golden, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and reserve.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the bacon or lardons to the same pan. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring, until the fat has rendered and the pieces are crisp at the edges.
- Add the mushrooms and pearl onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes until the mushrooms are well browned and the onions are tender and lightly caramelized. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute to coat. Pour in the white wine and scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan; simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add the stock, thyme, and bay leaf and bring to a gentle simmer. Nestle the veal chops and any accumulated juices back into the pan, spooning some of the vegetables over the top.
- Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and transfer to the oven. Braise for 35 to 40 minutes, turning the chops once halfway through, until the veal is fork-tender but still just slightly pink near the bone.
- Remove the pan from the oven and transfer the chops to a warm serving platter. Place the pan over medium heat and simmer the sauce for 3 to 4 minutes to thicken slightly, then discard the thyme stems and bay leaf.
- Whisk in the cold butter cubes off the heat to create a silky, glossy sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning, spoon the vegetables and sauce over the veal, and finish with a generous shower of chopped parsley.
Cook’s Notes
- Bring the veal chops fully to room temperature before searing; cold meat will not brown properly and may cook unevenly in the braise.
- Sear the chops in batches so the pan stays hot; overcrowding will steam the meat and prevent the deep golden crust that gives the dish its flavor.
- For the best texture, do not overcook the veal; the meat should be just falling off the bone yet still slightly rosy at the center when sliced.
- A heavy enameled cast-iron braiser distributes heat evenly and goes straight from stovetop to oven, making it the ideal pan for this dish.
- Serve with buttery mashed potatoes, wide egg noodles, or a thick slice of toasted country bread to soak up the rich pan sauce.










