Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Tender bites of seared beef and crispy bacon are slow-cooked with fresh veggies in this easy Crock Pot Beef Bourguignon recipe! Flavored with garlic, red wine, tomato paste and more, get ready for a new weeknight favorite!

If you enjoyed this hearty beef dinner, try my Balsamic Braised Beef Short Ribs or my Instant Pot Mongolian Beef next!

Easy Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Whoever coined the phrase “good things come to those who wait” must have had a slow cooker. You just can’t beat a hands-off meal that tastes like you fussed over it all day! This flavor-packed beef bourguignon is a cozy, comforting family dinner that keeps everyone reaching for more.

The veggies get so nice and tender, the bacon stays crispy and the beef is seasoned and browned to perfection. The wine adds a nice rich flavor to your meat, which is what this dish is famous for!

And don’t worry about the end result being alcoholic – the lengthy cooking process allows most of the alcohol to evaporate, leaving only the zingy flavors behind! Even if you were to eat the entire pot (not recommended, but tempting), you would not be affected by the alcohol. It’s totally safe for kids and completely delicious!

What is Beef Bourguignon?

Also known as beef burgundy, beef bourguignon is a wholesome beef stew that’s braised in red wine and beef stock. It’s usually cooked with bacon, onions, garlic, carrots and a bouquet of fresh herbs, then garnished with pearl onions and mushrooms. This recipe makes a classic beef bourguignon that gives Julia Child a run for her money!

Recipe Ingredients

This dish may have a good number of ingredients, but they’re all thrown into the same pot – a.k.a. the slow cooker. The more the merrier, I say! Bring on the flavor.

• Olive Oil: For searing the meat.
• Beef: Diced into 1-2 inch cubes and patted dry.
• Salt & Pepper: To season the beef.
• Bacon: Diced.
• Thyme: You’ll need 1 bunch, tied with cooking string.
• Onion: Roughly chopped.
• Garlic: About 2 cloves, minced.
• Red Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bordeaux, Pinot Noir, etc. If you choose to omit this, that’s fine – just substitute with beef stock or beef broth, which will also add richness and depth.
• Beef Stock: Also called bouillon.
• Tomato Paste: From the tube.
• Carrots: Chopped into 1 inch cubes.
• Mushrooms: Cremini or baby bella, halved.
• Pearl Onions: You’ll need 10 ounces.
• Flat Leaf Parsley: To garnish.
• Cornstarch & Water (Optional): If you want a thicker stew.

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What Kind of Beef Should I Use?

Certain cuts of meat are better suited for slow cooker beef bourguignon than others. Here are a few different options I’ve had success with:

• Top Sirloin: I find that top sirloin has the best flavor. I buy it whole instead of in pre-cut cubes so I can determine the size I want.
• Lean Stew Beef: Sometimes this comes pre-cut, which is nice if you’d like to minimize the prep time.
• Brisket: This will give you a stronger beef taste.
• Chuck Roast: Keep in mind that if you use a thicker cut of beef like this one, you’ll need to cook the bourguignon a little longer.

How to Make Beef Bourguignon in the Slow Cooker

Perhaps the best part about this hearty dinner is how easy it is to make! The cooking process starts off on the stove, but the slow cooker performs all the heavy lifting.

• Season Beef: Pat the meat dry and season it with salt and pepper.
• Sear Beef: Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat. Add olive oil to the pan, then add the beef and sear it on each side for 2-3 minutes, until slightly browned. Put the seared meat in the slow cooker.
• Sauté Bacon: Add the bacon to the skillet and sauté it until browned, about 3-4 minutes. Once cooked, add it to the slow cooker.
• Sauté Onions & Garlic: Add the onions and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 2-3 minutes, then add them to the slow cooker.
• Add Wine to Skillet: Next, add the red wine to your hot skillet. Using a wooden spoon, scrape all the brown bits off the bottom of the pan.
• Add Beef Stock & Tomato Paste: Add the beef stock and tomato paste to the pan. Whisk the mixture together and continue to scrape the pan until everything is removed.
• Add Thyme & Veggies to Slow Cooker: Add the bundle of thyme to your slow cooker along with the carrots, mushrooms and pear onions.
• Add Wine Mixture & Stir: Pour the red wine mixture into the slow cooker. Gently stir and cover.
• Cook: Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or until the meat is tender.
• Enjoy! Garnish the dish with flat leaf parsley or additional thyme and serve.

Tips for Success

These simple tips will have you cooking up slow cooker beef bourguignon like a pro. As the French say, bon appetit!

• Dry the Meat Well: Be sure to pat your meat dry with a paper towel before seasoning and searing it. This helps it brown properly.
• Use the Right Wine: Typically, beef bourguignon is made with a burgundy red wine such as Pinot Noir or Gamay. I prefer Pinot Noir because it’s a little more fruity, but I also like using Cabernet Sauvignon. The key is selecting a bottle of wine that you wouldn’t mind drinking.
• Tie the Thyme: Tieing up your thyme helps the flavors really infuse into the dish, making everything more delicious. Plus, it prevents unwanted portions of the bunch from drifting off into your stew!
• Scrape the Pan: Those little brown bits on the bottom of your pan? Don’t let them go to waste! Scrape them up into the wine mixture and enjoy the explosion of flavor they’ll provide to this dish.
• Thicken the Sauce if Desired: If the sauce isn’t thick enough for you, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (or arrowroot) and 1 tablespoon of water to a small bowl. Mix until the dry ingredients are dissolved and stir the mixture into the sauce. Cook for 5 minutes and serve.

Serving Suggestions

Need some easy dishes that are yummy enough to be served in conjunction with this beefy masterpiece? The following recipes go particularly well with beef bourguignon.

• Serve Over Mashed Potatoes: Man does this stew taste like heaven in a bowl with some creamy mashed potatoes. Prepare to be amazed when you pair it with these Parsnip Garlic Mashed Potatoes or my Sour Cream & Chive Mashed Potatoes!
• Pair with French Bread: A crock of this soup plus a fresh baguette – yes please! I like ripping off pieces of the fluffy, crunchy-crusted bread to use as a spoon for the soup. Tasty and efficient!
• Serve Over Spaghetti: Or even better, over this Parmesan Herb Spaghetti Squash! Another win for comfort food.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Leftover beef bourguignon will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days, if stored properly. Once cooled, transfer the stew to an airtight container or a plastic bag with all the air squeezed out.

Reheating can be done in the slow cooker on low for about 4 hours. If you’d like to warm up your leftovers faster than that, you can reheat the stew in a pot over a low-heat burner. Stir it often until warmed through, about 15 minutes.

Can I Freeze This?

Yes, you can freeze beef bourguignon if you’d like. Just place it in a freezer-safe storage bag once it has cooled, then freeze it for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before reheating it as instructed above.

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More Beef Dinners to Try

Beef can be cooked and served in countless delicious ways. These easy recipes are just a few examples!

• Spicy Kung Pao Beef Noodles
• Grilled Beef Kabobs with Avocado Cucumber Tzatziki
• Easy Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa