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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
