Authentic Slow-Simmered Beef Bourguignon

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

A classic French dish where tender beef braises for hours in a rich red wine sauce with mushrooms and pearl onions, embodying true culinary tradition. This french-inspired beef ready in about 175 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 580 calories and feeds 4, 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.

★ 4.4 (10 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 150 min Serves 4 French cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the beef chuck cubes dry with paper towels, then season with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and salt and pepper to coat evenly.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer to a plate.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 diced yellow onions, 3 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, then add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Deglaze the pot with 1 cup red wine, scraping up browned bits, and simmer for 3 minutes until reduced by half. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until darkened.
  5. Step 5: Return the seared beef to the pot, add 2 cups beef broth, 3 thyme sprigs, and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low for 2.5 hours until beef is fork-tender.
  6. Step 6: Remove the beef and herbs. Add 8 oz quartered mushrooms and 1 cup peeled pearl onions to the sauce, simmering for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
  7. Step 7: Stir the 1 tbsp flour mixed with 2 tbsp cold water into the sauce until thickened, then stir in 1 tbsp butter until melted and glossy. Discard thyme and bay leaves before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic Slow-Simmered Beef Bourguignon take to make?

Total time is about 175 minutes (25 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-Simmered 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 Slow-Simmered 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 Slow-Simmered Beef Bourguignon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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-Simmered 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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