Bourguignon-Style Beef Stew with Root Vegetables
A rich, slow-simmered stew featuring tender beef braised in red wine with carrots, parsnips, and mushrooms, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner. This french-inspired one pot ready in about 145 minutes pairs pounds beef chuck, tablespoons olive oil, medium yellow onion 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds beef chuck
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 medium carrots
- 2 medium parsnips
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat beef chuck cubes dry with paper towels, then season evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add beef in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding, and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned — do not stir frequently to ensure a good crust forms.
- Step 3: Remove beef and set aside. Add diced onion to the pot and cook for 3 minutes until softened, then add sliced carrots, parsnips, and mushrooms. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften and release moisture.
- Step 4: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour over vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Step 5: Pour in 1 cup red wine, scraping up browned bits from the pot bottom, then add 2 cups beef broth, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves. Return beef to the pot, bringing to a gentle simmer.
- Step 6: Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2 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 Bourguignon-Style Beef Stew with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 145 minutes (25 min prep + 120 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 Root Vegetables?
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 pounds beef chuck from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bourguignon-Style Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?
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 Root Vegetables 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 Bourguignon-Style Beef Stew with Root Vegetables?
French one pot 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
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.