True to Tradition Beef Bourguignon
A slow-simmered French stew that honors 19th-century techniques, using only quality ingredients for authentic depth of flavor. This french-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs Beef chuck, Bacon, medium Onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 2 lbs Beef chuck
- 4 oz Bacon
- 2 medium Onion
- 2 medium Carrot
- 2 cups Red wine
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 2 lbs beef chuck into 1.5-inch cubes. Season with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven, cook 4 oz diced bacon over medium heat until crisp (5 minutes), then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Sear beef in bacon fat until browned on all sides (5 minutes per batch), then remove. Add 2 diced onions and 2 diced carrots to pot, cooking until softened (5 minutes).
- Step 3: Sprinkle 2 tbsp flour over vegetables, stirring 1 minute to cook off raw taste. Return beef and bacon to pot, then pour in 2 cups red wine, scraping pot bottom for browned bits.
- Step 4: Add 2 bay leaves and 1 tbsp thyme. Bring to simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 2.5 hours until beef is fork-tender, stirring occasionally and adding water if too thick.
- Step 5: Discard bay leaves, skim excess fat, and adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot with crusty bread for dipping.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does True to Tradition Beef Bourguignon take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 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 True to Tradition 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 True to Tradition 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 True to Tradition 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 True to Tradition 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
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
