Real French Beef Bourguignon

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-cooked beef braised in red wine with mushrooms, carrots, and pearl onions, served with mashed potatoes. This french-inspired beef ready in about 180 minutes pairs Beef chuck, Red wine, Pearl onions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 French cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat oven to 325°F (160°C). In a large Dutch oven, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs cubed beef chuck and sear 3-4 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 tbsp flour to the pot, stirring to deglaze the pan. Cook 1 minute, then add 2 cups red wine, 2 cups beef broth, 12 pearl onions, 2 cups sliced carrots, and 1 bouquet garni (thyme, bay leaf, parsley tied together). Bring to a simmer.
  3. Step 3: Add seared beef and 1 cup sliced mushrooms. Cover and transfer to oven. Braise 2.5 hours until meat is tender. Meanwhile, in a skillet, sauté 3 minced garlic cloves in remaining 1 tbsp olive oil until fragrant. Stir into the stew and simmer 10 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Real French Beef Bourguignon 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 Real French 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 Real French 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 Real French 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 Real French 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.

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