Description
Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is a classic French stew featuring tender beef chuck slowly cooked with mushrooms, carrots, onions, and a rich red wine sauce. This comforting dish develops deep, savory flavors with minimal effort, making it perfect for a hearty dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, halved
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups dry red wine
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Thickening and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and brown them on all sides to develop flavor, about 5-7 minutes. This step enhances the depth of the stew.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the browned beef into the slow cooker bowl, ensuring you include any juices that accumulated in the skillet.
- Add Vegetables and Liquids: Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, halved mushrooms, tomato paste, dry red wine, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the Low setting for 8 hours or on High for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is tender and flavors meld together.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 20 minutes before the end of cooking, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce. Continue cooking with the lid on during this time.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaves from the stew. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve the Beef Bourguignon hot over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or with crusty bread to soak up the rich sauce.
Notes
- Browning the beef before slow cooking adds extra depth and richness of flavor.
- Pearl onions can be added for a more traditional presentation if available.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors continue to develop.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French
