Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe
This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is a classic French stew that combines tender beef chuck, red wine, and aromatic herbs slow-cooked to perfection. The rich and savory dish features vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, and onions simmered in a flavorful broth until the meat is melt-in-your-mouth tender. Ideal for those who want a comforting and hearty meal with minimal hands-on time.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French
Beef and Marinade
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup red wine (Burgundy or Pinot Noir)
- 2 cups beef broth
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups carrots, sliced
- 2 cups mushrooms, quartered
Seasonings and Others
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Prepare the beef: Pat the beef chuck cubes dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season with salt and pepper evenly.
- Sear the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes in batches and brown all sides, about 5-7 minutes per batch. This step locks in flavor.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and deglaze: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Let the wine simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Transfer to slow cooker: Move the seared beef, sautéed onion mixture, carrots, mushrooms, beef broth, dried thyme, and bay leaf into the slow cooker. Stir to combine well.
- Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender and flavors meld.
- Final seasoning and garnish: Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- For even deeper flavor, marinate the beef in the red wine overnight before cooking.
- Searing the beef is optional but highly recommended for better taste and color.
- If the sauce is too thin, remove the lid during the last hour of cooking to allow it to thicken.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or buttered noodles for a complete meal.
- This dish can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Keywords: Beef Bourguignon, Slow Cooker, French Stew, Beef Stew, Comfort Food, Slow Cooker Recipes