Serious Braised Beef Bourguignon
A classic French dish with tender beef braised in red wine, slow-cooked with mushrooms, bacon, and aromatic herbs for deep flavor. This french-inspired beef ready in about 185 minutes pairs beef chuck, bacon, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 530 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
- 1.2 kg beef chuck
- 150 g bacon
- 200 g onion
- 200 g carrots
- 150 g celery
- 4 cloves garlic
- 750 ml red wine
- 750 ml beef broth
- 300 g mushrooms
- 1 tbsp thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F). Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1.2 kg beef chuck (cut into 5 cm cubes) and sear in batches until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 150 g diced bacon to the pot and cook until crispy, 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside. Add 200 g chopped onion, 200 g peeled and diced carrots, 150 g diced celery, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté until softened, 8-10 minutes. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Return the beef and bacon to the pot. Pour in 750 ml red wine and 750 ml beef broth. Add 1 tbsp thyme, 2 bay leaves, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a simmer, cover, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2.5 hours until the meat is fork-tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 300 g sliced mushrooms and cook for 15 minutes until softened. Remove from oven. Stir in 1 tbsp flour and 2 tbsp butter to thicken the sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes until glossy. Season with pepper and serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Serious Braised Beef Bourguignon take to make?
Total time is about 185 minutes (35 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 Serious Braised 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 Serious Braised 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 Serious Braised 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 Serious Braised 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
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order french delivery again.
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
