Cassoulet De Toulouse Recipe

In South West France, cassoulet is revered and deeply embedded in the region’s culture. This slow-cooked stew features a combination of beans, meats, and aromatic flavorings, and is the perfect comfort food. The dish, often considered the epitome of rustic French cuisine, traces its origins back to the medieval era, where it was a staple during long winters. Each region in the southwest has its own variation, with one of the most famous being the cassoulet de Toulouse, known for its specific preparation style and mix of ingredients – especially the Toulouse sausages! 

Authentic cassoulet isn’t a quick process, requiring overnight soaking of the beans and preparation of the different meats. The dish typically includes a rich mix of duck confit, pork sausages, and sometimes lamb, all simmered together in a flavourful broth that melds the ingredients into a hearty masterpiece. The slow cooking process is well worth the effort as it produces cassoulet’s signature deep and complex flavours.

If you’re looking to make a delicious and traditional French dish, this cassoulet de Toulouse recipe is an excellent choice. Its robust flavours and comforting texture are sure to transport you straight to the heart of the French countryside.

 

How To Make Toulouse-Style Cassoulet

Ingredients

For the Cassoulet:

• 450g dried white beans (such as cannellini or Great Northern)
• 450g pork belly, cut into 5cm pieces
• 450g Toulouse sausage or any garlic sausage, sliced
• 450g duck confit, separated into pieces
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bouquet garni (a bundle of thyme, parsley, and bay leaf)
• 1 litre chicken stock
• 500ml water
• 100g breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons tomato purée
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for cooking

For Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped

 

Method

1. Prepare the Beans:

Rinse the dried beans and place them in a large bowl. Cover with water and let them soak overnight. Drain and rinse the beans before cooking.

 

2. Cook the Beans:

In a large pot, combine the soaked beans, water, and bouquet garnish. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beans are tender but not mushy. Drain the beans, reserving the cooking liquid, and set aside.

 

3. Prepare the Meats:

In a large frying pan, heat some olive oil over medium to high heat. Add the pork belly pieces and cook until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.

In the same pan, add the sausage slices and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.

If using store-bought duck confit, remove the excess fat and separate into pieces.

 

4. Assemble the Cassoulet:

Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F).

Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe casserole dish. Add the chopped onion and carrots, cooking until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and tomato purée, cooking for another minute.

Add the drained beans, browned pork belly, sausage, and duck confit to the pot. Pour in the chicken stock and enough reserved bean cooking liquid to cover the mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Bring the mixture to a simmer on the stovetop. Once simmering, cover the pot and transfer it to the preheated oven. 

Cook for 2 hours.

 

5. Add the Breadcrumbs:

After 2 hours, remove the pot from the oven. Sprinkle the top of the cassoulet with breadcrumbs. 

Increase the oven temperature to 175°C (350°F) and return the pot to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and crusty.

 

6. Serve:

Remove the cassoulet from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.

 Enjoy your authentic Toulouse-Style Cassoulet with a crusty baguette and a glass of red wine for a truly French experience! If you’re not sure which wine to choose, check out our post on the best wine pairings for cassoulet!

 

Et voilà!

Making a cassoulet can be a labour of love, but the end result is a soul-warming dish perfect for sharing with family and friends. If you haven’t got the time to dedicate to making your own cassoulet, then have a look at our range of La Belle Chaurienne cassoulet. It is a 100% natural range of cassoulet prepared for us by La Belle Chaurienne in Castelnaudary that is slow-cooked and then tinned or jarred in a variety of sizes for an extensive shelf-life. This means you can enjoy the rich and delicious taste of cassoulet without having to prepare it yourself!

For additional tips and serving options, have a look at our post on what to serve with cassoulet.