## A Taste of France in Minutes: Instant Pot Beef Burgundy Stew
Beef Burgundy, or *Boeuf Bourguignon*, is a classic French dish, traditionally slow-cooked for hours until the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender. The rich, savory sauce, infused with red wine, mushrooms, and aromatic vegetables, is the epitome of comfort food. But let’s face it, not everyone has hours to dedicate to simmering a stew on the stovetop. That’s where the Instant Pot comes in!
This recipe brings the authentic flavors of Beef Burgundy to your table in a fraction of the time. Using the magic of pressure cooking, we can achieve incredibly tender beef and a deeply flavorful sauce in under an hour. This Instant Pot Beef Burgundy Stew is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend gathering. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly simple to make.
Let’s dive into the recipe and discover how to create this culinary masterpiece in your own kitchen. We’ll break down each step, offering tips and tricks along the way, ensuring a delicious and successful outcome. Get ready to experience a taste of France without spending hours in the kitchen!
## Why Use an Instant Pot for Beef Burgundy?
The Instant Pot offers several advantages over traditional slow-cooking methods for Beef Burgundy:
* **Speed:** The most obvious benefit is time. The Instant Pot significantly reduces cooking time, transforming hours into minutes.
* **Tender Beef:** The pressure cooking process breaks down the tough connective tissues in the beef, resulting in incredibly tender and succulent meat.
* **Flavor Infusion:** The sealed environment of the Instant Pot intensifies the flavors, allowing the beef and vegetables to absorb the rich wine and herb-infused sauce more effectively.
* **One-Pot Convenience:** This recipe minimizes cleanup by cooking everything in one pot. Less dishes mean more time to enjoy your delicious meal!
* **Consistent Results:** The Instant Pot provides consistent cooking temperatures, ensuring perfectly cooked beef and vegetables every time.
## The Key to Authentic Flavor
While the Instant Pot speeds up the process, we don’t want to sacrifice the authentic flavors of Beef Burgundy. Here are some key ingredients and techniques to ensure a truly delicious stew:
* **Beef:** Use a good quality chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes. Chuck roast has excellent marbling, which renders during cooking, adding richness and flavor to the stew. Other cuts like bottom round or shoulder roast can also be used, but may require a slightly longer cooking time.
* **Red Wine:** Choose a dry red wine like Burgundy (of course!), Pinot Noir, or Cabernet Sauvignon. Avoid sweet wines, as they will alter the flavor profile of the stew. Don’t be afraid to use a wine you enjoy drinking – if you wouldn’t drink it, don’t cook with it!
* **Bacon:** Crispy bacon adds a smoky depth of flavor to the stew. Render the bacon before adding the beef for optimal flavor infusion.
* **Mushrooms:** Cremini mushrooms are a classic addition to Beef Burgundy. They add an earthy flavor and a meaty texture to the stew.
* **Aromatics:** Onions, carrots, and garlic are essential aromatics that form the foundation of the flavor. Sautéing them before adding other ingredients helps to develop their sweetness and enhance their flavor.
* **Beef Broth:** Use a high-quality beef broth to add richness and depth of flavor to the sauce.
* **Tomato Paste:** Tomato paste adds a touch of acidity and umami, balancing the richness of the beef and wine.
* **Herbs:** Thyme and bay leaf are classic herbs that complement the flavors of Beef Burgundy.
* **Pearl Onions:** While optional, pearl onions add a touch of sweetness and visual appeal to the stew.
## Tips for Success
* **Browning the Beef:** Don’t skip the browning step! Browning the beef creates a Maillard reaction, which develops rich, savory flavors that are essential to the stew. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, which can steam the beef instead of browning it.
* **Deglazing the Pot:** After browning the beef, deglaze the pot with red wine. This involves scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, which adds a ton of flavor to the sauce.
* **Pressure Cooking Time:** The optimal pressure cooking time will depend on the size and cut of your beef. Generally, 30-40 minutes at high pressure is sufficient for 1-inch cubes of chuck roast.
* **Natural Pressure Release:** Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10-15 minutes after cooking. This helps to prevent the beef from drying out.
* **Thickening the Sauce:** If the sauce is too thin after cooking, you can thicken it using a cornstarch slurry (equal parts cornstarch and cold water). Whisk the slurry into the sauce and simmer for a few minutes until thickened.
* **Adjusting Seasoning:** Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or herbs to achieve the desired flavor.
## Recipe: Instant Pot Beef Burgundy Stew
**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 50 minutes (including pressure build and release time)
**Ingredients:**
* 2 pounds chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
* 4 slices bacon, chopped
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 2 carrots, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, quartered
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
* 1 cup dry red wine (Burgundy, Pinot Noir, or Cabernet Sauvignon)
* 2 cups beef broth
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1 bay leaf
* 1 pound pearl onions, peeled (optional)
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
* 2 tablespoons cold water (optional, for thickening)
* Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
**Directions:**
1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add the olive oil and bacon. Cook until bacon is crispy, then remove bacon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pot.
2. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Working in batches, brown the beef on all sides in the bacon fat. Remove the beef and set aside.
3. Add the chopped onion and carrots to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Add the diced tomatoes and tomato paste to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Pour in the red wine and deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
6. Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf to the pot.
7. Return the beef and cooked bacon to the pot. Add the mushrooms and pearl onions (if using).
8. Stir everything together to ensure the beef is submerged in the liquid.
9. Close and lock the Instant Pot lid. Set the valve to sealing.
10. Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes.
11. Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10-15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
12. Carefully open the lid and remove the bay leaf.
13. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning as needed.
14. If the sauce is too thin, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Stir the slurry into the stew and simmer on sauté mode for a few minutes until thickened.
15. Serve the Instant Pot Beef Burgundy Stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or egg noodles.
## Serving Suggestions
This Instant Pot Beef Burgundy Stew is delicious served with a variety of accompaniments. Here are a few ideas:
* **Mashed Potatoes:** Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic pairing for Beef Burgundy.
* **Crusty Bread:** Serve with a loaf of crusty bread for dipping into the rich sauce.
* **Egg Noodles:** Toss the stew with egg noodles for a hearty and comforting meal.
* **Rice:** Fluffy white rice or brown rice also make a great base for the stew.
* **Green Salad:** A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the rich stew.
## Conclusion
This Instant Pot Beef Burgundy Stew is a testament to the fact that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy a truly delicious and comforting meal. The Instant Pot transforms this classic French dish into a weeknight-friendly option without sacrificing any of the authentic flavors. With tender beef, a rich and savory sauce, and simple ingredients, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. So, fire up your Instant Pot and get ready to experience a taste of France in minutes! *Bon appétit!*
**DO NOT LOSE THIS RECIPE SAVE IT on [PINTEREST FOR LATER](https://