Authentically Slow-Braised Beef Bourguignon with Red Wine Reduction
A true Burgundy-style stew where wine ratio and braising time honor 19th-century French traditions, yielding melt-in-your-mouth beef and deep, complex flavors. This french-inspired beef ready in about 180 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast, Burgundy variety red wine, diced bacon 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 1.5 cups, Burgundy variety red wine
- 4 oz diced bacon
- 3 medium, sliced 1/2 inch thick carrots
- 1 large, diced onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: In a heavy Dutch oven, cook 4 oz diced bacon over medium heat until crisp (6-8 minutes), then remove with a slotted spoon, leaving 1 tbsp fat in pot.
- Step 2: Pat beef chuck cubes dry, toss with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, and brown evenly in bacon fat over medium-high heat (4-5 minutes per side), searing until deeply caramelized.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant, then stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor.
- Step 4: Pour in 1.5 cups red wine, scraping up browned bits, and add 3 thyme sprigs and 2 bay leaves; bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and braise for 2.5 hours, adding 3 sliced carrots during the last 30 minutes until fork-tender.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentically Slow-Braised Beef Bourguignon with Red Wine Reduction 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 Slow-Braised Beef Bourguignon with Red Wine Reduction?
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 burgundy variety red wine from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentically Slow-Braised Beef Bourguignon with Red Wine Reduction?
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 Slow-Braised Beef Bourguignon with Red Wine Reduction 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 Slow-Braised Beef Bourguignon with Red Wine Reduction?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
