Bourguignon-Style Short Ribs Without Bacon

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A simplified French stew featuring short ribs braised in red wine with mushrooms, pearl onions, and a hint of tomato paste for depth. This french-inspired slow cooker ready in about 180 minutes pairs beef short ribs, olive oil, mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 495 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.

★ 3.9 (15 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 150 min Serves 4 French cuisine 495 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season short ribs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear ribs for 4 minutes per side until browned, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 8 oz sliced mushrooms and 1 cup peeled pearl onions to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until onions are golden. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until darkened.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle 1 tbsp all-purpose flour over vegetables and stir for 1 minute. Gradually pour in 1.5 cups red wine while scraping up browned bits, then add 1 cup beef broth, 2 thyme sprigs, and 2 bay leaves.
  4. Step 4: Return ribs to the pot, cover, and simmer on low heat for 2.5 hours until meat is tender and falls off the bone.
  5. Step 5: Remove ribs and strain liquid into a bowl. Skim excess fat, then return liquid to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until reduced by one-third. Stir in 1 tbsp butter until melted, then return ribs to the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to coat.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Bourguignon-Style Short Ribs Without Bacon 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 Bourguignon-Style Short Ribs Without Bacon?

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 short ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Bourguignon-Style Short Ribs Without Bacon?

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 Short Ribs Without Bacon 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 Short Ribs Without Bacon?

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.

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