Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon (Authentic French Method)
A deeply flavorful French stew that evolves from humble ingredients through slow braising, yielding fork-tender beef in a rich wine sauce. This french-inspired slow cooker ready in about 160 minutes pairs beef chuck, red wine, diced onions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 490 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
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 cup diced onions
- 1 cup carrots
- 1/2 cup celery
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 dutch oven
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs beef chuck dry, then season with salt and pepper, and dredge in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, shaking off excess.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering, then brown beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply seared, transferring to a plate.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup diced onions, 1 cup diced carrots, and 1/2 cup diced celery to the pot, cooking for 5-6 minutes until softened and golden.
- Step 4: Return beef to pot, add 1 cup red wine, and bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits; cover and simmer on low for 2 hours until fork-tender.
- Step 5: Uncover and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes to thicken sauce, stirring occasionally until it coats the back of a spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon (Authentic French Method) take to make?
Total time is about 160 minutes (20 min prep + 140 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon (Authentic French Method)?
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 Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon (Authentic French Method)?
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 Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon (Authentic French Method) 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon (Authentic French Method)?
French slow cooker 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
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
