Classic Beef Bourguignon
Tender beef braised in red wine with mushrooms and carrots, served with buttered egg noodles for a hearty, traditional French meal. This french-inspired beef ready in about 210 minutes pairs beef chuck, all-purpose flour, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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 beef chuck
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 oz bacon
- 3 medium carrots
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 8 oz mushrooms
- 2 cups red wine
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 sprigs dried thyme
- 2 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp water
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 lbs beef chuck cubes dry, then toss with 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add beef in batches without crowding, and brown for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown; set aside.
- Step 2: Cook 4 oz diced bacon over medium heat for 5 minutes until crispy. Add 3 medium chopped carrots, 1 large chopped onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves, and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Add 8 oz quartered mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then pour in 2 cups red wine and 1 cup beef broth, scraping the pot bottom to release browned bits. Add 2 sprigs dried thyme and 2 bay leaves, return beef to pot, and bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Cover and reduce heat to low; simmer gently for 2.5 hours until beef is fork-tender. Remove thyme and bay leaves.
- Step 5: Mix 1 tbsp flour with 2 tbsp water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Stir slurry into pot and simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens. Cook 8 oz egg noodles until al dente, toss with 2 tbsp butter, and serve beef bourguignon over noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic Beef Bourguignon take to make?
Total time is about 210 minutes (40 min prep + 170 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 Classic 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 beef chuck from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic 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 Classic 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 Classic 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.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.