Weeknight Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A tender, wine-infused stew with mushrooms and pearl onions, ready in under 2 hours using a pressure cooker. This french-inspired beef ready in about 80 minutes pairs stew beef, red wine, diced bacon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 55 min Serves 6 French cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs stew beef dry, then season with salt and pepper. In a pressure cooker, sear 4 oz diced bacon over medium-high heat for 3 minutes until crisp, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add the stew beef to the pot and brown on all sides for 5 minutes total. Add 1 diced onion and 2 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly softened.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over the meat, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Pour in 3 cups red wine and 1 cup beef broth, scraping the bottom to release browned bits. Add 8 oz mushrooms and 1 cup pearl onions.
  4. Step 4: Lock the lid, set to high pressure for 35 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
  5. Step 5: Stir in the cooked bacon and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Weeknight Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (25 min prep + 55 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 Weeknight Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions?

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 stew beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Weeknight Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions?

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 Weeknight Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions 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 Weeknight Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions?

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.

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