Description
This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is a comforting and hearty French-inspired stew featuring tender beef chuck, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and a rich red wine-flavored sauce. Slow cooked to perfection, this dish melds deep savory flavors with aromatic thyme and garlic, making it ideal for a cozy family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Bacon
- 5 slices diced bacon
- 3 pounds boneless beef chuck pieces, cut into 1-inch cubes
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 cup red cooking wine
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
Thickening and Seasonings
- ¼ cup flour
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Vegetables
- 5 medium carrots, sliced
- 1 pound baby potatoes (tri-color variety used)
- 8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
Garnish
- Fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook 5 slices of diced bacon for 5-7 minutes or until crisp. Remove and transfer the cooked bacon to the slow cooker.
- Brown the Beef: Season the 3 pounds of beef chuck pieces with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and brown on each side for 2-3 minutes to develop flavor. Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour 1 cup of red cooking wine into the skillet, scraping the bottom to release browned bits. Let it simmer and reduce slightly. Gradually add 2 cups chicken broth, ½ cup tomato sauce, and ¼ cup soy sauce. Slowly whisk in ¼ cup flour to thicken the sauce. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker over the meat and bacon.
- Add Vegetables and Herbs: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme (or 2 teaspoons dried), 5 sliced carrots, 1 pound baby potatoes, and 8 ounces sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker. Stir to combine evenly.
- Slow Cook the Stew: Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 6 hours until the beef is tender and flavors are well developed.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the stew before serving. This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
Notes
- For best flavor, use a good quality dry red wine such as Pinot Noir or Burgundy.
- Tri-color baby potatoes add visual appeal but you can substitute with any small potato variety.
- Browning the beef properly helps develop depth of flavor.
- Adjust the cooking time based on your slow cooker’s heat settings and the tenderness of the meat.
- You can substitute beef broth for chicken broth if preferred.
- This stew tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
