Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon – Rich, Tender & Easy Comfort Food Everyone Loves

There’s something special about walking into the kitchen after a long day and being greeted by the rich aroma of slow-cooked beef, herbs, and vegetables. That’s exactly why I keep coming back to this Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon recipe. It takes the classic French-inspired comfort food and makes it incredibly easy for busy home cooks. The slow cooker does most of the work while you get all the deep, savory flavors you’d expect from a dish that tastes like it simmered all day on the stovetop.

I first made this recipe during a chilly weekend when I wanted something cozy but didn’t want to spend hours standing over the stove. Since then, it has become one of my family’s favorite comfort dinners. It looks fancy enough for guests, but honestly, it’s simple enough for a regular weeknight too.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

• Rich, hearty, and incredibly tender beef.
• Easy slow cooker dinner with very little hands-on work.
• Perfect for meal prep and leftovers.
• Loaded with vegetables for a complete meal.
• Classic comfort food that’s even better the next day.
• Great for cold weather, family dinners, and holidays.

How I Came Across This Recipe

I originally discovered Beef Bourguignon after trying the traditional oven version at a friend’s holiday dinner. It was absolutely delicious, but it seemed like a lot of work for a regular weekday meal. So I started testing different slow cooker versions until I found one that kept all the rich flavors while making the process much easier. After a few batches—and a couple that wasn’t quite right—I landed on this recipe. Now it’s one of those dependable meals I make whenever I want something warm, hearty, and comforting without spending all afternoon in the kitchen.

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Recipe by Amazing RuthCourse: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Calories

485

kcal

Cooking time

8 hours (Low) or 4–5 hours (High)

Total time

8 hours 20 minutes

This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is a rich, comforting French-inspired beef stew made with tender chuck roast, mushrooms, carrots, potatoes, garlic, herbs, and a savory red wine beef broth. It’s an easy crockpot dinner that’s perfect for cozy family meals and special occasions.

Ingredients

• Beef

• 2½ pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1½-inch cubes

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Vegetables

• 1 pound baby potatoes, halved

• 4 medium carrots, sliced

• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, halved

• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• Sauce

• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth

• 1 cup dry red wine (or substitute with additional beef broth)

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)

• 2 bay leaves

• Thickener

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons cold water

• Garnish

• Fresh chopped parsley

Directions

• Pat the beef cubes dry using paper towels. Toss them with flour, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until nicely browned.
• Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
• Add the potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, chopped onion, and minced garlic over the beef.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme until smooth.
• Pour the sauce into the slow cooker and add the bay leaves.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is tender enough to pull apart easily with a fork.
• Remove the bay leaves once cooking is complete.
• Mix the cornstarch and cold water together until smooth. Stir the mixture into the stew.
• Cover and cook for another 20–30 minutes until the gravy thickens.
• Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed.
• Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top and serve hot with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or buttered egg noodles.

See also  Creamy Chickpea Noodle Soup

Notes

• Browning the beef before slow cooking adds a much deeper, richer flavor.
• Beef chuck roast is the best cut because it becomes incredibly tender after long cooking.
• If you don’t cook with wine, simply replace it with extra beef broth.
• The stew tastes even better the following day after the flavors have blended together.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

My Favorite Tips

I almost always brown the beef first, even if I’m in a hurry. It only takes a few extra minutes but gives the stew much more flavor. I also like adding the mushrooms halfway through cooking if I want them to keep a firmer texture. Sometimes I forget, and honestly it still taste amazing.

If the sauce feels thinner than you’d like, let it cook uncovered for another 10 minutes after adding the cornstarch slurry.

What to Serve With Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

This hearty beef stew pairs wonderfully with:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Buttered egg noodles
• Crusty French bread
• Garlic bread
• Steamed green beans
• Roasted asparagus
• Simple green salad

Best Time to Enjoy

• Meal: Dinner
• Season: Fall and Winter, but delicious year-round
• Mood: Cozy, comforting, relaxing, and satisfying
• Occasion: Sunday family dinner, holiday gatherings, meal prep, casual entertaining, cold-weather comfort food

Estimated Cost

Making this recipe for about 6 servings typically costs $28–$35 USD, depending on your local grocery prices and whether you already have pantry staples like flour, herbs, and Worcestershire sauce. That comes to roughly $5–$6 per serving, making it an affordable family meal considering how filling it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this without wine?

Yes. Replace the wine with an equal amount of beef broth. You’ll still have a rich and flavorful stew.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Absolutely. Let the stew cool completely, then freeze it in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

What’s the best cut of beef?

Beef chuck roast is the best choice because it becomes incredibly tender during slow cooking.

Can I prepare everything the night before?

Yes. Assemble all the ingredients in the slow cooker insert, cover, refrigerate overnight, and start cooking the next morning.

How long do leftovers last?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get even better the next day.

Can I add more vegetables?

Definitely. Parsnips, pearl onions, celery, or even sweet potatoes make excellent additions while keeping the stew hearty and flavorful.