Weeknight Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions
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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs stew beef
- 3 cups red wine
- 4 oz diced bacon
- 2 medium carrots
- 8 oz mushrooms
- 1 cup pearl onions
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 medium diced onion
- 1 cup beef broth
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 5: Stir in the cooked bacon and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
