Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is a timeless French classic that blends tender beef with the earthy richness of red wine and savory vegetables. The slow cooking process brings out the deep flavors and ensures the beef melts in your mouth.

Perfect for chilly evenings, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to prepare, requiring only a bit of prep time. The combination of beef, carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms creates a hearty, flavorful meal that is ideal for family dinners or special occasions. Serve it with a crusty baguette to soak up the delicious sauce!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• • 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into cubes

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 cups red wine (preferably Burgundy)

  • 2 cups beef broth

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 cup carrots, sliced

  • 1 cup baby potatoes, halved

  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides, then transfer them to the slow cooker.

2. In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion and garlic until softened, about 3 minutes. Add to the slow cooker.

3. Stir in red wine, beef broth, tomato paste, thyme, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Add the sliced carrots, halved potatoes, and mushrooms to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.

5. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors are well combined.

6. Before serving, discard the bay leaf and garnish with fresh parsley.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 8 hours | Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Kcal: 450 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon: A Hearty, Flavorful French Classic

Beef Bourguignon, also known as Boeuf Bourguignon, is a classic French dish that has been adored for generations. Originating from the Burgundy region in France, this comforting beef stew is a flavorful combination of tender beef, red wine, aromatic herbs, and vegetables, slow-cooked to perfection. The slow cooking process allows the beef to become melt-in-your-mouth tender while absorbing all the rich flavors of the red wine sauce. It’s the ultimate dish to serve on a cozy evening or for a special occasion when you want to impress your guests with minimal effort.

If you’re looking for a dish that requires minimal hands-on time but delivers maximum flavor, then Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is the answer. With just a little bit of preparation, you can set your slow cooker and let it work its magic, creating a meal that’s full of depth and complexity. This dish is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit different preferences or dietary needs.

The Heart and Soul of Beef Bourguignon

At the core of any great Beef Bourguignon is the beef itself. Traditionally, the best cuts of beef for this dish are tough but flavorful cuts like beef chuck, which becomes incredibly tender when cooked low and slow. The slow cooker allows the collagen in the beef to break down, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth pieces of meat that absorb all the savory flavors of the sauce.

The next crucial element of this dish is the red wine. Red Burgundy wine is the classic choice for this French recipe, as the region’s wine pairs perfectly with the beef. However, if Burgundy wine is not available, any full-bodied dry red wine will do. The wine not only tenderizes the meat but also infuses it with rich, deep flavors. When combined with beef broth, it creates a luscious sauce that coats the beef and vegetables, making each bite bursting with flavor.

In addition to the wine and beef, vegetables play an important role in Beef Bourguignon. Carrots, onions, and mushrooms are typically used, adding sweetness, earthiness, and texture to the stew. Baby potatoes are often added for extra heartiness, making this dish a complete meal that is filling and satisfying. Thyme, bay leaves, and garlic provide essential aromatics, rounding out the dish with savory and herbal notes.

Cooking Beef Bourguignon in a Slow Cooker

While Beef Bourguignon is traditionally cooked on the stovetop or in the oven, the slow cooker offers a convenient and hands-off approach that still results in an exceptional dish. The beauty of using a slow cooker lies in its ability to tenderize the meat over time while allowing the flavors to meld together.

To make Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon, start by browning the beef cubes in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This step is crucial, as it helps to develop the Maillard reaction, creating a deeper flavor profile for the beef. While this step requires a few minutes of active cooking, it’s well worth the extra effort.

Once the beef is browned, the vegetables and liquids are added to the slow cooker, and the cooking process begins. The slow cooker does all the hard work, simmering the beef and vegetables for hours and allowing the flavors to blend together seamlessly. By the end of the cooking time, the beef will be perfectly tender, the vegetables soft and flavorful, and the sauce rich and velvety.

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

1. Minimal Effort for Maximum Flavor
   One of the best things about making Beef Bourguignon in a slow cooker is how hands-off the process is. After the initial browning of the beef and sautéing of the vegetables, all you need to do is let the slow cooker work its magic. The long cooking time allows the flavors to meld together, creating a dish that’s complex yet comforting. It’s a perfect meal for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want to come home to a delicious, home-cooked dinner without having to spend hours in the kitchen.

2. Impress Your Guests
   While Beef Bourguignon is a simple dish to prepare, it looks and tastes incredibly sophisticated. It’s a fantastic recipe to serve at dinner parties, family gatherings, or special occasions. The rich, savory flavors and tender beef make it a crowd-pleaser, and the fact that it’s made in the slow cooker means you can focus on other tasks while the dish cooks itself.

3. Customizable
   Beef Bourguignon is a versatile dish that can easily be customized to suit your preferences. While the classic recipe calls for carrots, onions, and potatoes, you can add or substitute vegetables based on what you have available. For example, parsnips, turnips, or celery can be great additions. You can also adjust the seasonings to suit your taste, adding more garlic, herbs, or even a splash of brandy for extra depth.

4. Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals
   Because Beef Bourguignon only gets better as it sits, it’s an ideal make-ahead meal. The flavors continue to develop and intensify the next day, making leftovers even more delicious. You can easily store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or freeze them for later use. Simply reheat and enjoy a warm, hearty meal whenever you need it.

5. Comfort Food at Its Finest
   There’s something undeniably comforting about a big bowl of Beef Bourguignon. The combination of tender beef, rich red wine sauce, and hearty vegetables makes it the ultimate comfort food for colder months. Whether you serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or alongside crusty bread, it’s sure to satisfy even the hungriest appetites.

The Best Side Dishes to Pair with Beef Bourguignon

When serving Beef Bourguignon, it’s important to choose side dishes that complement its rich, hearty flavors. Here are a few ideas for side dishes that pair perfectly with this French classic:

• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are an excellent choice for soaking up the flavorful sauce from the beef stew.

• Crusty Bread: A warm baguette or crusty artisan bread is perfect for dipping into the sauce and completing the meal.

• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted Brussels sprouts, parsnips, or green beans add a fresh, slightly crunchy element that balances the richness of the stew.

• Salad: A light green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can help cut through the richness of the Beef Bourguignon and provide a refreshing contrast.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is a dish that brings together tender beef, flavorful red wine, and aromatic vegetables in a rich, savory sauce. The slow cooker method makes it easy to prepare and ensures the beef becomes incredibly tender while allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner or a special occasion, this French classic is sure to impress.

With its minimal effort and maximum flavor, Beef Bourguignon is the perfect meal to enjoy on a cozy evening. It’s a dish that can be customized to suit your tastes, and its leftovers are even better the next day, making it a great make-ahead option for busy weeks. So, grab your slow cooker and indulge in this classic French comfort food – you won’t be disappointed!