Bourguignon-Style Beef Stew with Red Wine
A deeply aromatic French stew simmered to tender perfection with slow-cooked onions and a robust red wine base, embodying true Burgundian tradition. This french-inspired slow cooker ready in about 175 minutes pairs beef chuck, large yellow onion, medium carrot 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 beef chuck
- 2 large yellow onion
- 2 medium carrot
- 2 celery stalk
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut beef chuck into 1-inch cubes, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then toss with 3 tbsp all-purpose flour until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add beef in a single layer without crowding, and sear for 3 minutes per side until deeply browned — do not move the beef until a crust forms.
- Step 3: Remove beef and add 2 large thinly sliced yellow onions, 2 medium chopped carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks to the pot. Cook for 8 minutes over medium heat until onions are translucent and carrots begin to soften.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until darkened, then add 1 cup dry red wine and 2 cups beef stock, scraping up browned bits from the pot.
- Step 5: Return beef to the pot, add 4 thyme sprigs and 2 bay leaves, bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook on low heat for 2.5 hours until beef is fork-tender.
- Step 6: Remove thyme and bay leaves, adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed, and serve hot with crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bourguignon-Style Beef Stew with Red Wine 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 Bourguignon-Style Beef Stew with Red Wine?
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 Bourguignon-Style Beef Stew with Red Wine?
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 Bourguignon-Style Beef Stew with Red Wine 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 Bourguignon-Style Beef Stew with Red Wine?
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
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.