Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A deeply flavorful French classic where tender beef braises for hours in red wine with mushrooms and pearl onions, creating a rich, velvety sauce that clings to every forkful. This french-inspired slow cooker ready in about 180 minutes pairs beef chuck, all-purpose flour, olive oil 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.

★ 4.0 (9 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 150 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: Pat beef cubes dry with paper towels, then season evenly with 2 tbsp flour and 1 tsp salt. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Sear beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned; transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining beef.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 tbsp olive oil, and sauté diced onion, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes until softened and golden at edges.
  4. Step 4: Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until darkened.
  5. Step 5: Deglaze pan with Burgundy wine, scraping up browned bits, and simmer until reduced by half (about 3 minutes).
  6. Step 6: Return beef and juices to pot, add beef broth, pearl onions, mushrooms, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  7. Step 7: Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 2.5 hours until beef is fork-tender and sauce has thickened slightly.
  8. Step 8: Discard thyme and bay leaves, then adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.

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 Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions?

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 Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions?

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 Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions?

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