The Best-Kept Secret Beef Bourguignon
A slow-simmered masterpiece featuring fall-off-the-bone short ribs in a rich red wine sauce, elevated by the finest ingredients for an unforgettable dinner. This french-inspired beef ready in about 175 minutes pairs bone-in short ribs, olive oil, finely diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 8 oz bone-in short ribs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup, finely diced yellow onion
- 1/2 cup, thinly sliced carrot
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced celery
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat short ribs dry with paper towels and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear ribs for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 cup diced onion, 1/2 cup sliced carrot, and 1/4 cup sliced celery to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften, then stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Deglaze the pot with 1/2 cup red wine, scraping up browned bits, and simmer for 2 minutes. Add 1 cup beef broth, 1 tbsp tomato paste, and 1 tsp chopped thyme. Stir in 1 tbsp flour to thicken slightly, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Cover and transfer to a preheated oven at 325°F. Cook for 2.5 hours until the ribs are fork-tender, then remove the lid and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes to reduce the sauce to a rich, coating consistency.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best-Kept Secret Beef Bourguignon 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 The Best-Kept Secret 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 bone-in short ribs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best-Kept Secret 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 The Best-Kept Secret Beef Bourguignon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 The Best-Kept Secret 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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
