Bourguignon Beef Slow Cooker Recipe

There's something magical about coming home to the smell of bourguignon beef slow cooker bubbling away, filling your kitchen with the most incredible aroma. This classic French dinner transforms tough cuts of meat into tender, melt-in-your-mouth pieces swimming in a rich red wine sauce that'll make you feel like a gourmet chef without any of the fuss. The bourguignon beef slow cooker method takes all the intimidation out of this restaurant-quality dish, letting your crockpot do the heavy lifting while you go about your day.

I've been making bourguignon beef slow cooker for years, and I can tell you this recipe is foolproof. Whether you're new to French cuisine or just looking for an easy way to impress your dinner guests, this bourguignon beef slow cooker version delivers all the deep, complex flavors of the traditional recipe without standing over a hot stove for hours.

What Makes This French Bourguignon Beef Slow Cooker Special

Beef bourguignon isn't just another beef stew; it's a celebration of rustic French cooking at its finest. This dish hails from the Burgundy region of France, where red wine flows freely and slow-cooked comfort food reigns supreme. The magic happens when chuck roast meets Burgundy wine in your slow cooker, creating a sauce so rich and flavorful it'll have everyone asking for seconds. What sets this bourguignon beef slow cooker recipe apart is how the long, gentle cooking time breaks down the meat fibers, resulting in beef so tender it practically falls apart on your fork.

The traditional beef bourguignon recipe called for hours of careful attention, but our bourguignon beef slow cooker approach gives you all that classic flavor with minimal effort. The slow cooking time allows the garlic and onions to sweeten, the carrots and mushrooms to soak up all those wonderful flavors, and the thyme and bay leaf to infuse every bite with aromatic goodness. It's the perfect winter dinner idea that pairs beautifully with crusty bread, creamy mashed potatoes, or buttered egg noodles.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Recipe Variations & Substitutions
• Equipment Recommendations
• Storage & Meal Prep Tips
• The Wine-Reduction Secret
• FAQ
• A Dinner Worth Savoring
• Related
• Pairing
• Slow Cooker Bourguignon Beef

Ingredients

For the Beef and Base

• Chuck roast, cut into cubes
• Bacon, chopped
• Burgundy wine (or any dry red wine)
• Beef broth
• Tomato paste

Aromatics and Vegetables

• Onion, diced
• Garlic, minced
• Carrots, cut into pieces
• Mushrooms, halved
• Thyme (fresh or dried)
• Bay leaves

Finishing Touches

• All-purpose flour (or cornstarch)
• Butter
• Salt and black pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

1. Pat the chuck roast cubes completely dry with paper towels; this helps them brown better
2. Season the beef generously with salt and black pepper on all sides
3. Chop your bacon into small pieces
4. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and prep all your vegetables so everything's ready to go
5. Measure out your Burgundy wine and beef broth

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

1. Cook the bacon pieces in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 5-6 minutes
2. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and transfer to your slow cooker, leaving the fat in the pan
3. Working in batches, sear the beef cubes in the bacon fat until browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side
4. Transfer the browned meat to the slow cooker; don't skip this step as it creates incredible depth
5. In the same skillet, sauté the onions until softened, about 4 minutes, then add garlic and cook 1 minute more
6. Sprinkle flour over the onions and garlic, stirring constantly for 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste

Step 3: Add Liquids and Seasonings

1. Pour the Burgundy wine into the skillet, scraping up all those delicious brown bits from the bottom
2. Let the wine simmer for 3-4 minutes to burn off some of the alcohol
3. Stir in the tomato paste and beef broth until well combined
4. Pour this entire mixture over the beef in your slow cooker
5. Add the carrots, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves
6. Give everything a gentle stir to make sure the beef is mostly submerged
7. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours; the meat should be fork-tender

Step 4: Finish with Mushrooms

1. About 45 minutes before serving, sauté the mushrooms in butter in a skillet until golden brown
2. Add the cooked mushrooms to your bourguignon beef slow cooker
3. If the sauce seems too thin, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into the stew
4. Let it cook uncovered for the final 30 minutes to thicken
5. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed
6. Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves before serving

Expert Cooking Tips

Meat Matters

• Use chuck roast for juicy, tender results.
• Cut into even pieces for uniform cooking.
• Brown the meat for rich flavor ; skipping this step means less depth.

Wine Wisdom

• Cook with a wine you’d drink ; Burgundy or Pinot Noir are ideal.
• Avoid salty “cooking wine.”
• Let wine reduce to smooth out harsh notes.

Timing & Temperature

• Low and slow (7–8 hrs on LOW) gives the best texture.
• Check early if your slow cooker runs hot.
• Add mushrooms near the end to keep them firm.

Avoid These Mistakes

• Don’t lift the lid ; it adds extra cook time.
• Don’t drown the meat; it makes its own juices.
• If the sauce is thin, use a cornstarch slurry.
• Remove bay leaves and thyme stems before serving.

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

This traditional beef bourguignon recipe is wonderfully adaptable to different dietary needs and taste preferences while maintaining that signature bourguignon beef slow cooker magic.

Dietary Modifications

• Gluten-Free: Replace all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend in a 1:1 ratio; cornstarch actually creates a silkier sauce
• Low-Carb/Keto: Skip the flour entirely and use xanthan gum (just ¼ teaspoon) to thicken, or simply reduce the sauce uncovered at the end
• Paleo: Use arrowroot powder instead of flour and ensure your bacon has no added sugar
• Dairy-Free: The butter for the mushrooms can be replaced with olive oil without losing much flavor

Creative Flavor Twists

• Julia Child inspired: Add a tablespoon of brandy or cognac when you add the wine for extra richness
• Heartier version: Make it a beef bourguignon with potatoes slow cooker by adding baby potatoes in the last 3 hours
• Extra veggie-packed: Throw in pearl onions, parsnips, or turnips along with the carrots
• Herby variation: Add a sprig of rosemary along with the thyme for an extra layer of aroma

Protein Swaps

• Chicken bourguignon: Use bone-in chicken thighs and reduce cooking time to 4-5 hours on LOW
• Lamb stew: Substitute lamb shoulder for a richer, gamier flavor that's equally delicious
• Mushroom bourguignon: For vegetarians, skip the meat entirely and triple the mushrooms, adding them at the start

Serving Suggestions

• Traditional: Serve over buttered egg noodles or with crusty French bread to soak up that incredible sauce
• Modern: Try it over creamy polenta, mashed cauliflower, or even rice
• Rustic: Place the entire casserole in the center of the table with a big bowl of mashed potatoes on the side

Equipment Recommendations

Having the right tools makes preparing your bourguignon beef slow cooker so much easier and ensures perfect results every time.

• 6-quart slow cooker: Essential for this recipe; a smaller one won't fit all the ingredients comfortably, while larger ones work but the sauce might be thinner
• Heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven: Necessary for browning the meat and building flavor; cast iron works beautifully and distributes heat evenly
• Sharp chef's knife: Makes cutting the chuck roast into uniform pieces much faster and safer
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for scraping up those flavorful brown bits when deglazing with wine
• Slotted spoon: Helps you transfer bacon and beef without bringing excess grease along
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accuracy matters with the wine-to-broth ratio for the perfect sauce consistency
• Cutting board: Use a large one to prep all your vegetables at once

Budget tip: If you don't have a slow cooker, you can adapt this to a Dutch oven recipe; cook it covered in a 300°F oven for 3-4 hours instead.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Beef bourguignon tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.

Refrigerator

Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The sauce may thicken ; just add a splash of broth or water when reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Freezer

Freeze for up to 3 months in portioned, freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently. Carrots may soften slightly, but the flavor stays rich.

Make-Ahead

Brown meat and aromatics a day or two ahead, store in the fridge, then add to the slow cooker when ready. Or cook fully and freeze portions for easy, ready-to-heat meals.

FAQ

A Dinner Worth Savoring

This bourguignon beef slow cooker recipe proves that incredible French cuisine doesn't have to be complicated or intimidating. You've got everything you need now to create a hearty stew that'll fill your home with the most amazing aromas and your dinner table with happy faces. The beauty of this classic boeuf bourguignon is how it transforms simple ingredients into something truly special, and your bourguignon beef slow cooker method makes it accessible any night of the week.

Once you've mastered this recipe, try branching out to other slow cooker favorites like Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites and Potatoes for a quicker weeknight option, or Beef Mushroom Noodles Recipe when you're craving something with Asian-inspired flavors. The tender meat technique you've learned with this bourguignon beef slow cooker will serve you well across all kinds of comfort food cooking. Now grab your crockpot, pour yourself a glass of that Burgundy wine, and get ready to create some serious kitchen magic!

Happy slow cooking, friends! May your beef always be tender and your wine sauce rich 🍷~ Viola

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Bourguignon Beef Slow Cooker Recipe: