Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon

Introduction

Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon is a classic French comfort dish reimagined for modern kitchens. Traditionally a slow-cooked stew, this recipe transforms beef, red wine, vegetables, and aromatic herbs into a rich, flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth meal in a fraction of the time using an Instant Pot.

The beauty of this dish lies in its depth of flavor: tender chunks of beef are simmered with carrots, onions, mushrooms, garlic, and fresh herbs, all in a savory red wine and beef broth base. The Instant Pot accelerates the cooking process while preserving the traditional richness of this classic, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Why I Love This Recipe

• Rich and Luxurious: Every bite is packed with deep, layered flavors reminiscent of restaurant-quality French cuisine.
• Tender, Juicy Beef: The Instant Pot ensures the beef becomes perfectly tender without hours of simmering.
• Time-Saving: Enjoy the essence of a slow-cooked French stew in less than 90 minutes.
• Versatile: Great on its own or served with mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread.
• Impressively Elegant: Looks and tastes gourmet, yet is surprisingly easy to prepare.

Why This is a Must-Try Dish

This dish is a must-try because it combines gourmet flavor with ease of preparation. You get all the richness, aroma, and tender textures of traditional Beef Bourguignon without the long hours of slow cooking. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy French cuisine at home, impress guests, or treat themselves to a cozy, comforting meal.

Time, Servings & Nutrition

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 50–60 minutes (including pressure build and release)
• Total Time: 70–80 minutes
• Servings: 6
• Calories (approx): 450 kcal per serving

Course: Main Course / Stew
Cuisine: French / Comfort Food

Ingredients

Beef and Vegetables:

• 2 lbs (900 g) beef chuck, cut into 1–2 inch cubes
• 4 carrots, sliced into ½-inch pieces
• 1 large onion, diced
• 8 oz mushrooms, quartered
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Liquid & Seasoning:

• 2 cups red wine (Burgundy or dry red wine)
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp butter (optional, for finishing)

Optional Garnish:

• Chopped fresh parsley
• Additional mushrooms sautéed in butter

Cooking Directions

1. Sear the Beef: Set Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Heat olive oil and brown beef cubes in batches. Remove beef and set aside.
2. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots, mushrooms, and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes.
3. Add Flour: Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir to coat, cooking for 1 minute to eliminate raw taste.
4. Deglaze: Pour in red wine and beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
5. Add Beef and Herbs: Return beef to the pot. Add thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
6. Pressure Cook: Close lid, set valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes.
7. Release Pressure: Allow a 10-minute natural release, then manually release any remaining pressure.
8. Finish: Stir in butter for extra richness. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove bay leaves.
9. Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and optional sautéed mushrooms. Serve hot over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or crusty bread.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Set Instant Pot to sauté; brown beef cubes in batches, remove, and set aside.
2. Sauté onions, carrots, mushrooms, and garlic in the same pot.
3. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes.
4. Sprinkle flour and cook for 1 minute.
5. Deglaze with red wine and beef broth, scraping up browned bits.
6. Return beef; add thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
7. Pressure cook 35 minutes on high.
8. Natural release 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
9. Stir in butter, adjust seasoning, remove bay leaves, garnish, and serve.

How to Serve

• Serve as a main course over mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or buttered noodles.
• Pair with crusty French bread or a side of roasted vegetables.
• Garnish with fresh parsley or sautéed mushrooms for extra color and flavor.

Recipe Tips

• Brown beef in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure proper searing.
• Use a dry red wine like Burgundy for authentic flavor; any dry red wine works in a pinch.
• Natural pressure release helps retain juices and tenderness.
• Finish with butter for a glossy, rich sauce.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors meld.

Variations

• Vegetable-Heavy: Add pearl onions or parsnips for extra flavor.
• Mushroom Lovers: Double the mushrooms and sauté extra for garnish.
• Slow Cooker Version: Can also be made in a slow cooker for 6–8 hours on low.
• Herb Twist: Add rosemary, tarragon, or bay leaf variations for aroma.
• Gluten-Free: Omit flour or use a gluten-free thickener.

Freezing and Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Cool completely, freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Thaw overnight in the fridge; reheat gently on stovetop or in microwave until warmed through.

Special Equipment Needed

• Instant Pot or pressure cooker
• Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons

FAQ

Q1: Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, chuck roast works best, but brisket or short ribs are also good.

Q2: Can I make this without wine?
Yes, substitute with additional beef broth, though wine adds depth of flavor.

Q3: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes, sauté beef and vegetables first, then cook 6–8 hours on low.

Q4: Can I thicken the sauce more?
Yes, remove beef and vegetables, simmer on sauté mode, or mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir in.

Q5: Can I use dried herbs?
Yes, use 1 tsp dried thyme and 1–2 bay leaves instead of fresh.

Conclusion

Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon is a gourmet, comforting French classic made easy. Tender beef, aromatic vegetables, and rich red wine sauce come together in a fast, flavorful, and elegant dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. With minimal effort and maximum taste, this recipe is a must-try for anyone seeking authentic French flavors at home in record time.