Authentically Evolved Beef Bourguignon
A slow-cooked French stew that evolves from its traditional roots with modern technique, featuring tender beef braised in red wine with mushrooms and pearl onions. This french-inspired soups ready in about 180 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck, red wine, diced bacon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck
- 1 1/2 cups red wine
- 4 oz diced bacon
- 8 oz, sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup, peeled pearl onions
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 3 thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 lbs beef chuck cubes dry, then dredge in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, shaking off excess. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then brown beef in batches (3-4 minutes per side until golden), transferring to a plate.
- Step 2: In the same pot, cook 4 oz diced bacon until crisp (4-5 minutes), then add 1 cup peeled pearl onions and 8 oz sliced mushrooms. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 3: Return beef to pot, add 1 1/2 cups red wine, 1 cup beef broth, 3 thyme sprigs, and 2 bay leaves. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook on low heat for 2.5 hours until beef is fork-tender, stirring occasionally. Remove thyme and bay leaves before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentically Evolved 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 Authentically Evolved 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 red wine from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentically Evolved 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 Authentically Evolved 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 Authentically Evolved Beef Bourguignon?
French soups 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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 150-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
