Name: Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: PT-487692H14M55S
Total time: 8 h 20 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 5 slices diced bacon; 3 pounds boneless beef chuck pieces (cut to 1 inch cubes); 1 cup red cooking wine; 2 cups chicken broth; ½ cup tomato sauce; ¼ cup soy sauce; ¼ cup flour; 3 minced garlic cloves; 2 tablespoons minced thyme; Fresh chopped parsley for garnish; 5 medium sliced carrots; 1 pound baby potatoes (tri-color); 8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms

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Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is the ultimate comfort food for anyone who appreciates deep, savory flavors and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. This dish transforms a humble beef stew into something elegant, rich, and effortlessly impressive, thanks to a combination of bacon, wine, fresh herbs, and chunky vegetables that simmer away all day, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas. Whether you’re making dinner for a special gathering or craving a soul-warming meal on a cozy night in, Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon provides both simplicity and that unmistakable ooh-la-la factor that sets it apart from ordinary stews.

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon plays a unique part in building bold flavor, gorgeous color, and satisfying texture. With a few kitchen staples and a handful of fresh ingredients, you’ll be amazed at how easily this showstopping meal comes together.

Bacon: Adds smoky depth and a hint of salt that infuses every bite with savory goodness.
Beef Chuck: When cooked low and slow, these cubes become incredibly tender while soaking up all the rich flavors.
Red Cooking Wine: Brings a fruity, robust edge that makes the sauce sing (don’t worry, the alcohol cooks off, leaving pure flavor behind).
Chicken Broth: Lightens the stew while providing essential liquid and subtle savoriness.
Tomato Sauce: Rounds out the sauce with a touch of sweetness and color—a real secret weapon here.
Soy Sauce: Punches up umami with a gentle saltiness that balances the richness of the beef and bacon.
Flour: Thickens the sauce naturally for that classic, glossy finish.
Garlic: Essential for warmth and that comforting allium kick.
Fresh Thyme: Better than dried here, lending earthy, herby notes that lift the entire stew.
Carrots: Bring natural sweetness and a pop of cheerful color.
Baby Potatoes: Tri-color is fun, but any baby potatoes will turn deliciously creamy as they cook.
Fresh Mushrooms: Sliced and added for an earthy complexity and soft texture.
Fresh Parsley: The final flourish, adding brightness and a burst of freshness just before serving.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Step 1: Crisp the Bacon

Start by cooking the diced bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s beautifully crisp, about 5 to 7 minutes. This fragrance alone will have everyone wandering into the kitchen! Once the bacon is cooked, transfer it right into your slow cooker, so every last bit of its flavor can mingle with the rest of the ingredients later on.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Season your beef chuck cubes with salt and pepper—don’t skimp here, this is your foundation of flavor. Working in batches if necessary, brown the beef on each side for 2 to 3 minutes in your skillet. You’re looking for a deep, golden crust. As soon as a batch is ready, move it straight into the slow cooker alongside the bacon.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

With all that goodness left in your skillet, pour in the red wine and use a spoon to scrape up every delicious brown bit stuck to the bottom. Let it simmer and reduce slightly. Slowly pour in the chicken broth, tomato sauce, and soy sauce, then carefully whisk in the flour to make sure there are no lumps. Pour this rich, fragrant sauce over the beef and bacon in the slow cooker—the house will already start smelling incredible.

Step 4: Add the Veggies and Herbs

Here comes the color! Toss in the minced garlic, fresh thyme, sliced carrots, baby potatoes, and mushrooms. Give everything a gentle stir so that each piece gets coated in that luscious sauce and the herbs can start working their magic. At this point, the slow cooker is almost begging you to close the lid and let it work its wonders.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Pop the lid on your slow cooker and set it to LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or HIGH for about 6 hours. Over time, the beef grows fantastically tender, the potatoes become creamy, and all the flavors meld together into a mouthwatering symphony. Just before serving, sprinkle the stew generously with fresh chopped parsley for a bright, inviting finish.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Garnishes

Fresh chopped parsley is the classic finishing touch, offering a burst of color and freshness that balances the hearty richness of the stew. You can also add thyme sprigs or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper if you want a little more visual flair and aroma.

Side Dishes

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is a star on its own, but it truly shines when you serve it with creamy mashed potatoes, a loaf of crusty French bread, or even buttery egg noodles. These sides soak up the luscious sauce and round out the meal perfectly. For lighter fare, a simple green salad with a sharp vinaigrette helps cut through the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving your Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon in individual bowls or mini cocottes for a chic dinner party vibe. For a rustic feel, ladle it over a bed of garlic mashed potatoes. If you’re hosting a buffet or potluck, keep the stew warm in the slow cooker and let guests help themselves. Don’t forget a basket of fresh bread nearby for dunking!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

One of the great joys of Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is how well it keeps. Let any leftovers cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days—the flavors will continue to deepen, making for even tastier second-day meals.

Freezing

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is wonderfully freezer-friendly. Ladle cooled stew into a freezer-safe container (or several, for easy single servings), leaving a bit of space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge whenever you need a comforting meal in a hurry.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm the stew gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom. Alternatively, you can pop it in the microwave, covered, at half power, stirring once or twice as it heats through. Add a splash of broth if the sauce has thickened too much during storage.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef for Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon?

Absolutely! While beef chuck yields that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture, you can swap in brisket or stewing beef if you prefer. Just make sure the cut is suitable for slow cooking, so you get that wonderful tenderness.

Do I have to use wine, or is there a substitute?

The red wine is traditional and adds tremendous depth, but if you prefer not to use alcohol, try substituting with extra beef or chicken broth and a splash of balsamic vinegar for complexity.

Can I prepare Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, this dish is even more flavorful the next day. Prepare as directed, cool, then refrigerate overnight. Gently reheat before serving for an easy, make-ahead main course.

Will my vegetables get mushy if cooked this long?

The key is using potatoes and carrots cut in larger pieces, which can withstand the long cook time. If you like a little more bite, add the mushrooms and/or carrots halfway through the cooking instead of at the beginning.

Can I make Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon gluten-free?

Definitely! Simply substitute your favorite gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch for thickening the sauce. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free, so it’s an easy swap.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dish that requires minimal hands-on time but delivers maximum flavor, this Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is truly a winner. Give it a try and discover just how special a slow-simmered meal can be—you might even find it becomes a new family favorite!

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 19 reviews

Author: Ella
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes (on LOW)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for a comforting meal. Tender beef cubes simmered in a rich red wine sauce with bacon, vegetables, and herbs, all cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.

Instructions

Cook Bacon: In a large skillet, cook diced bacon until crisp. Add to the slow cooker.
Brown Beef: Season beef with salt and pepper, brown in the skillet. Transfer to the slow cooker.
Prepare Sauce: Deglaze the skillet with red wine, then add chicken broth, tomato sauce, soy sauce, and flour. Pour into the slow cooker.
Add Ingredients: Add garlic, thyme, carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms to the slow cooker.
Cook: Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 6 hours until beef is tender. Garnish with parsley before serving.

Notes

You can serve this beef bourguignon with mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
For a thicker sauce, you can mix a little cornstarch with water and add it to the slow cooker 30 minutes before the dish is done.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours on LOW or 6 hours on HIGH
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: French