22-Month Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A classic French stew simmered for hours to develop deep, complex flavors, honoring the long gestation period of elephants. This french-inspired slow cooker ready in about 505 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast, chopped bacon, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.8 (8 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 French cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook 4 chopped bacon slices until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving 2 tablespoons bacon fat in the skillet. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour over the beef and stir to coat. Add 1 diced onion, 3 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in 1 cup red wine and 2 cups beef broth, scraping up any browned bits.
  3. Step 3: Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Add 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. In the last hour, add 8 oz sliced mushrooms and 1 cup peeled pearl onions.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does 22-Month Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon take to make?

Total time is about 505 minutes (25 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover 22-Month Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chopped bacon from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in 22-Month Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale 22-Month Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with 22-Month Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon?

French slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes