Authentic French Beef Bourguignon

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, slow-braised beef stew infused with red wine, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs, served with creamy mashed potatoes. This french-inspired beef ready in about 180 minutes pairs beef chuck, red wine, button mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 French cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven. Brown the beef in batches, seasoning with salt and pepper, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add bacon lardons and cook until crispy. Remove bacon, set aside, then sauté diced onion and minced garlic until translucent.
  3. Step 3: Stir in tomato paste, then add red wine, thyme, bay leaves, and 1.5 L water. Return beef and bacon to the pot, bring to a simmer, then cover and braise for 2.5 hours.
  4. Step 4: Add mushrooms and cook for 30 minutes until tender. Meanwhile, boil potatoes with salted water until fork-tender, then mash with butter, milk, and a pinch of nutmeg.
  5. Step 5: Adjust seasoning, serve stew with mashed potatoes, garnished with fresh thyme.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic French Beef Bourguignon take to make?

Total time is about 180 minutes (30 min prep + 150 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 Authentic French 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 beef chuck from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic French 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 Authentic French 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 Authentic French Beef Bourguignon?

French beef 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.

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