Historic Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions
A slow-simmered French classic honoring centuries of tradition, featuring tender beef and wine-infused vegetables. This french-inspired beef ready in about 175 minutes pairs cut into 1.5-inch cubes beef chuck, all-purpose flour, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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
- 2 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes beef chuck
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 oz, diced bacon
- 1 large, chopped onion
- 2, peeled and sliced carrots
- 2 stalks, sliced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup Burgundy wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 (thyme, parsley, bay leaf tied together) bouquet garni
- 1 cup, peeled pearl onions
- 1 cup, quartered mushrooms
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat beef cubes dry with paper towels, then season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Dredge in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, shaking off excess.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until browned; transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Cook 4 oz diced bacon until crisp (5 minutes), then remove and set aside. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot; cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute more. Add 1 tbsp tomato paste and cook 1 minute to deepen flavor.
- Step 5: Deglaze with 1 cup Burgundy wine, scraping up browned bits, and simmer 2 minutes until reduced by half.
- Step 6: Return beef and bacon to pot. Add 2 cups beef broth and bouquet garni; bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 7: Cover and cook on low heat for 2 hours until beef is fork-tender.
- Step 8: Add 1 cup peeled pearl onions and 1 cup quartered mushrooms; simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender and sauce has thickened.
- Step 9: Discard bouquet garni, season with additional salt and pepper if needed, and serve over mashed potatoes.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Historic Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions 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 Historic Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions?
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 all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Historic Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions?
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 Historic Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions 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 Historic Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions?
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
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.