Authentically Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon
A deeply flavorful French classic where beef braises for hours in red wine and aromatic vegetables, embodying true culinary tradition. This french-inspired beef ready in about 180 minutes pairs (Pinot Noir) red wine, beef broth, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 1 cup (Pinot Noir) red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2, finely chopped onion
- 3, sliced into 1/2-inch coins carrots
- 2, sliced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 4 thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Step 1: Season beef cubes generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Brown beef in batches for 4 minutes per side until deeply seared, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 6 minutes until vegetables soften and begin to caramelize, stirring frequently.
- Step 3: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir constantly for 1 minute to form a paste.
- Step 4: Return beef to pot, add red wine and beef broth, and bring to a gentle simmer. Add thyme sprigs and bay leaves.
- Step 5: Cover and simmer on low heat for 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is fork-tender and sauce has thickened to coat the back of a spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentically Slow-Cooked 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 Slow-Cooked 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 (pinot noir) red wine from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentically Slow-Cooked 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 Slow-Cooked 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 Slow-Cooked 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
