Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon: A Classic French Escape in Under an Hour

Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon

Introduction

Elegant French cuisine needn’t be a weekend affair: this Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon brings the deep, layered flavors of a classic bistro favorite into your home kitchen in a fraction of the traditional simmer time. With melt-in-your-mouth beef and a wine-rich sauce studded with aromatic vegetables, it transforms humble ingredients into a truly special meal—perfect for celebrations or a cozy family dinner.

Why Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon is a Must-Make

This dish captures the essence of traditional beef bourguignon—robust, winey sauce, tender chunks of beef, and vegetables that soak up all the flavor—without hours of stovetop babysitting. Thanks to the [Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart](https://amzn.to/4cl4uv4), you can achieve incredibly tender meat and rich flavor in about an hour. It’s a showstopper for any gathering, and its simplicity belies the sophistication of the final dish.

The Essential Prep for Maximum Flavor

A great beef bourguignon starts with prep: easily dice onions, carrots, and celery to uniform pieces using the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper. This ensures even cooking and a beautiful presentation. For authentic results, use a well-marbled beef chuck roast and quality dry red wine.

Searing the beef is the key to flavor, so use the sauté function on your Instant Pot to brown all sides before adding liquid—this step develops a rich base that’s essential to bourguignon.

The Best Way to Build That Silky Wine Sauce

While your Instant Pot is unbeatable for tenderizing beef, the perfect sauce relies on classic flavor layering. Sauté vegetables right in the pot after searing the beef, scraping up the browned bits for extra depth. Deglaze with wine and beef broth, then add aromatics and herbs.

If your sauce is too thin after pressure cooking, use the sauté function to reduce it to the desired consistency. For the most authentic finish, use a ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking to check doneness—the beef should be at least 200°F for ultimate tenderness.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve beef bourguignon over creamy mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or crusty French bread that will soak up every luscious drop. To keep leftovers fresh or for meal prep, portion into Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers. Complement this rich dish with a crisp green salad, and don’t forget a glass of the same red wine you used in the sauce.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 hearty servings. Each serving contains approximately 450 calories, with a balanced ratio of protein, fat, and carbohydrates from the beef and vegetables. The dish is rich, so a little goes a long way, especially when served with simple sides.

Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon Recap

With the help of the Instant Pot, this French classic becomes weeknight-accessible, offering exceptional depth and tenderness in less than half the usual time. Whether for a special occasion or an indulgent family meal, Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon is a memorable, crowd-pleasing centerpiece.

Ingredients

2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
4 oz bacon, chopped
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 ½ cups dry red wine (e.g., Pinot Noir or Burgundy)
1 cup beef broth
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried)
2 bay leaves
1 lb baby potatoes, quartered
8 oz cremini mushrooms, halved
2 tbsp unsalted butter (optional, for finishing)
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Set your Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker to Sauté and let it heat. Pat beef cubes dry, season with salt and pepper.
  2. Add olive oil and bacon. Cook until bacon is golden and fat is rendered. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon; set aside.
  3. Sear beef in batches (don’t overcrowd the pot), browning all sides. Transfer beef to a plate as it browns.
  4. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened, using the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for quick dicing and even pieces.
  5. Add garlic and tomato paste, stirring for 1 minute. Pour in wine, scraping the bottom to deglaze. Simmer for 2 minutes.
  6. Return beef and bacon to the pot along with broth, thyme, bay leaves, potatoes, and mushrooms. Stir to combine.
  7. Lock the Instant Pot lid and set to Pressure Cook on High for 35 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick-release remaining pressure.
  8. Remove bay leaves. If sauce needs thickening, set Instant Pot to Sauté and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Finish with butter for extra richness, if desired.
  9. Check beef with a ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking—it should be fork-tender and at least 200°F internal temp.
  10. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for best freshness.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes (includes searing and pressure time)

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Enjoy the comfort of a French classic, made easy and unforgettable with your Instant Pot.

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