Beef Bourguignon Slow Cooker is a hearty meal that combines tender beef, smoky bacon, wholesome vegetables, and a rich, savory sauce in one comforting dish. As the ingredients slowly cook together, the beef becomes incredibly soft while the vegetables absorb the delicious flavors of the broth and herbs. Although this French-inspired recipe tastes like it requires hours of hands-on cooking, the slow cooker handles most of the work for you. It is an excellent choice for busy weekdays, cozy family dinners, or entertaining guests when you want an impressive meal with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Beef Bourguignon Slow Cooker recipe offers everything you want in a comforting homemade dinner.
- Slow cooking creates exceptionally tender beef.
- One pot makes cleanup quick and easy.
- The rich sauce is packed with deep, savory flavor.
- Perfect for preparing ahead of time.
- Includes vegetables for a complete meal.
- Great for cold weather and family gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bacon | 5 slices | Cut into small pieces |
| Boneless beef chuck | 3 pounds | Cubed into 1-inch pieces |
| Red cooking wine | 1 cup | Adds richness to the sauce |
| Chicken broth | 2 cups | Low sodium preferred |
| Tomato sauce | 1/2 cup | Creates a flavorful base |
| Soy sauce | 1/4 cup | Enhances the savory taste |
| All-purpose flour | 1/4 cup | Thickens the sauce |
| Garlic | 3 cloves | Minced |
| Fresh thyme | 2 tablespoons | Or 2 teaspoons dried thyme |
| Carrots | 5 medium | Peeled and sliced |
| Baby potatoes | 1 pound | Whole or halved |
| Fresh mushrooms | 8 ounces | Sliced |
| Fresh parsley | As needed | Chopped for garnish |
| Salt | To taste | For seasoning |
| Black pepper | To taste | Freshly ground |
How to Make Beef Bourguignon Slow Cooker
This recipe begins by cooking the bacon until crisp and browning the beef in the same skillet. These simple steps develop extra flavor that carries through the entire dish. Deglazing the pan with wine helps capture the caramelized bits, which become part of the rich cooking sauce.
Once the meat, vegetables, herbs, and sauce are combined in the slow cooker, everything cooks gently for several hours. The long cooking time allows the beef to become fork tender while the vegetables soften and soak up all the delicious flavors.
Step by Step Instructions
- Cook the diced bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Transfer it to the slow cooker.
- Season the beef cubes generously with salt and black pepper.
- Brown the beef in the bacon drippings for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, then place it in the slow cooker.
- Pour the red cooking wine into the skillet and scrape the bottom to loosen all the browned bits.
- Let the wine simmer briefly before adding the chicken broth, tomato sauce, and soy sauce.
- Whisk the flour into the liquid until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and bacon.
- Add the garlic, thyme, carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms.
- Stir gently so every ingredient is coated with the sauce.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or HIGH for approximately 6 hours, until the beef is very tender.
- Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread if desired.
Helpful Tips
- Sear the beef before slow cooking for the best flavor.
- Crisp the bacon thoroughly before adding it to the slow cooker.
- Deglaze the skillet well to capture all the flavorful browned bits.
- Choose beef chuck because it becomes tender during long cooking.
- Keep the slow cooker covered while it cooks.
- Fresh thyme adds brighter flavor than dried thyme.
- Taste the finished sauce and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Recipe Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Rich, savory, and comforting |
| Texture | Tender beef with soft vegetables |
| Cuisine | French |
| Course | Dinner, Main Course |
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 9 hours |
| Total Time | 9 hours 20 minutes |
| Servings | 6 |
Variations and Substitutions
You can easily customize this recipe with ingredients you already have.
- Replace chicken broth with beef broth for a stronger beef flavor.
- Add pearl onions for a traditional French touch.
- Include celery for extra vegetables.
- Substitute dried thyme if fresh thyme is unavailable.
- Serve the stew over mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles.
- Use gluten-free flour if needed.
Nutrition Information Per Serving
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 181 |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Protein | 7 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Cholesterol | 12 mg |
| Sodium | 1062 mg |
| Potassium | 646 mg |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Vitamin A | 199 IU |
| Vitamin C | 27 mg |
| Calcium | 31 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cut of beef for Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon?
Beef chuck is the most popular choice because its marbling slowly breaks down during cooking, creating tender and flavorful bites.
Can you make Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon without red wine?
Yes. You can substitute the wine with extra chicken broth or beef broth. The flavor will be slightly different, but the finished dish will still be rich and satisfying.
How do you make Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon rich and flavorful?
The best way to build flavor is by browning the bacon and beef before slow cooking. Deglazing the skillet and allowing the stew to cook slowly for several hours also helps create a deeply savory sauce.
How do you store and reheat Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon?
Cool the stew completely before storing it in an airtight container. Keep it refrigerated for up to four days or freeze it for up to three months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until thoroughly warmed.
Storage Instructions
Allow the Beef Bourguignon to cool completely before storing. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to four days. For longer storage, divide the stew into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Warm slowly on the stovetop over medium-low heat or use the microwave in short intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.
About Richy Bites
Richy Bites is a welcoming destination for home cooks who enjoy preparing comforting meals with simple ingredients. Alessia, the cook behind every recipe, believes that great food should be approachable, flavorful, and enjoyable to make. Each recipe is carefully developed with clear instructions and practical cooking tips, helping anyone create delicious homemade dishes with confidence.
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Beef Bourguignon Slow Cooker | Easy French Comfort Food Recipe
- Total Time: 9 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Beef Bourguignon Slow Cooker recipe combines tender beef chuck, smoky bacon, carrots, baby potatoes, mushrooms, garlic, thyme, and a rich savory sauce. Slow cooking gives the beef a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture while allowing the vegetables to absorb plenty of flavor.
Ingredients
5 slices bacon, diced
3 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
1 cup red cooking wine
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, minced, or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
5 medium carrots, sliced
1 pound baby potatoes, whole or halved
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook the diced bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, then transfer it to the slow cooker.
2. Season the beef cubes with salt and black pepper.
3. Brown the beef in the skillet for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, then transfer it to the slow cooker.
4. Pour the red cooking wine into the skillet and scrape the bottom to loosen the browned bits.
5. Let the wine simmer briefly, then add the chicken broth, tomato sauce, and soy sauce.
6. Whisk in the flour until the sauce becomes smooth.
7. Pour the sauce over the beef and bacon in the slow cooker.
8. Add the minced garlic, thyme, sliced carrots, baby potatoes, and mushrooms.
9. Stir gently until everything is evenly combined.
10. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH for about 6 hours, until the beef is fork tender.
11. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Beef chuck works especially well because slow cooking makes it tender and flavorful.
Browning the beef before slow cooking adds deeper savory flavor.
For an alcohol-free version, replace the red cooking wine with additional beef broth or chicken broth.
Keep the slow cooker covered during cooking to maintain consistent heat.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze cooled portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Thaw frozen Beef Bourguignon overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until thoroughly hot.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 hours
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 181
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1062 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
Conclusion
This Beef Bourguignon Slow Cooker recipe delivers everything you could want in a comforting homemade dinner. The combination of slow-cooked beef, smoky bacon, tender vegetables, and a rich sauce creates a meal that is both satisfying and full of flavor. It is an excellent recipe for family dinners, weekend meals, or special occasions when you want something warm and comforting without spending the entire day in the kitchen. Once you experience how effortless and delicious this dish can be, it is likely to become a favorite that you return to throughout the year.