Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

You can never go wrong with a slow cooker dinner, especially on those days where you know you’ll be extra busy! Some of my favorite slow cooker recipes include crock pot pork roast, crock pot spaghetti and this delicious beef bourguignon.

When I want hearty comfort food without a ton of work, I make slow cooker beef bourguignon. This meal is super flavorful and takes just a few minutes to put together in the morning, then you get to come home to dinner ready to eat!

What is beef bourguignon?

This dish is also called beef Burgundy, and is a French stew that features pieces of beef simmered in a red wine broth. This dish also contains assorted vegetables such as mushrooms and carrots, and typically contains bacon.

How do you make beef bourguignon?

Start by cooking bacon in a pan until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan, then brown the beef in the remaining bacon fat. Remove the beef from the pan, then add the red wine. Let the red wine simmer until it has reduced by half, then add beef broth and tomato sauce. Whisk in the flour, then place the bacon and beef into the slow cooker. Add the vegetables, garlic, herbs and sauce to the crock pot, then stir to combine. Cover and cook on low until the beef is tender. Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.

Tips for the perfect dish

I recommend cutting the vegetables into large pieces so they don’t get overly soft during the long cooking time. You can also stir the veggies in halfway through the cook time if you like. This dish is typically made with a Burgundy wine such as Merlot, Pinot Noir or Cabernet. Choose a decent quality wine that you would enjoy drinking for best results. You can also make this beef stew in the oven instead of the slow cooker. Follow the directions for browning the meat and making the sauce, then put everything in a covered pot and bake at 325 degrees F for four hours. Serve your stew with a loaf of bread and a green salad to round out the meal. A side of mashed potatoes is also a great choice.

What cut of meat is best for beef bourguignon?

I recommend using a well marbled cut of meat for this dish such as chuck roast, beef stew meat, or round roast. Anything that’s labeled at your meat counter as pot roast will also work just fine.

Flavor Variations

This dish is delicious as-is, but you can add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes. These are just suggestions and some ingredients may veer from the traditional version of beef bourguignon.

Protein: I made made this dish with diced chicken thighs with great results. It also works well with cubes of pork shoulder. Vegetables: You can add more veggies to the mix such as celery, baby potatoes, parsnips or butternut squash. Flavorings: Feel free to stir in a handful of olives, extra herbs, a spoonful of tomato paste, or a dash of Worcestershire or soy sauce for added depth of flavor.

Once you try this traditional stew, you’ll find yourself making it on a regular basis!