Name: Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 8 h 30 min
Total time: 8 h 50 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 5 slices diced bacon; 3 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1 cup red cooking wine; 2 cups chicken broth; ½ cup tomato sauce; ¼ cup soy sauce; ¼ cup flour; 3 minced garlic cloves; 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried thyme; 5 medium carrots, sliced; 1 pound baby potatoes (tri-color recommended); 8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms; Fresh chopped parsley

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 140 reviews

If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for a comforting, hearty meal that’s fuss-free but feels truly special. That’s exactly why I absolutely love this Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe. It’s like having a gourmet French stew simmering away all day in your slow cooker, filling your home with the most incredible aromas and leaving you with tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef that’s packed with flavor. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll quickly become one of your go-to slow cooker dinners!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Set It and Forget It: You get rich, deep flavors with minimal hands-on time—perfect for busy days.
Budget-Friendly Luxury: Using affordable chuck roast and pantry staples, this feast feels like a restaurant meal at home.
Versatile and Customizable: You can tweak veggies and herbs easily to match your preferences or what’s in season.
Crowd-Pleaser: Whenever I serve this, my family always asks for seconds—it’s seriously that good.

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe combines classic ingredients to create layers of flavor that develop slowly over hours. Each element plays its part, from the smokiness of bacon to the earthiness of mushrooms, creating a comforting stew you’ll want to make again and again.

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe - Ingredients

Bacon: Provides a smoky, salty base that adds depth to the stew; cook until crispy for best texture.
Boneless beef chuck: This cut is ideal because it gets tender and rich as it cooks low and slow in the crockpot.
Red cooking wine: Creates that signature Bourguignon flavor—pick a decent, drinkable wine you enjoy.
Chicken broth: Adds savory richness and balances the acidity of the wine and tomato.
Tomato sauce: Gives subtle body and tang without overpowering the beef.
Soy sauce: This little secret amps up umami for a more robust, savory stew.
Flour: Thickens the sauce gently without any lumps when whisked in properly.
Garlic cloves: Minced fresh for aromatic, savory notes that brighten the stew.
Fresh thyme: The classic herb that brings an earthy fragrance; dried works too if you don’t have fresh.
Carrots: Sliced medium for sweetness and color—you could also add parsnips for variety.
Baby potatoes: I love using tri-color for visual appeal, but any waxy potato will hold up nicely.
Fresh mushrooms: Sliced to soak up the sauce and add that satisfying, meaty texture.
Fresh parsley: Chopped and sprinkled on top at serving for a pop of color and freshness.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how flexible this Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe is! Feel free to make it your own depending on your mood, what’s in your pantry, or any dietary needs—it’s all about enjoying a cozy meal you love.

Vegetable Boost: Sometimes I toss in pearl onions or add celery for extra crunch and freshness—it adds another layer of flavor without fuss.
Wine Swap: No red wine on hand? I’ve had great results using a rich grape juice mixed with a splash of balsamic vinegar for acidity.
Make it Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour or cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce—no one will miss the regular flour.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or a bay leaf for a subtle kick that wakes up the stew beautifully.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe

Step 1: Crisp the Bacon and Brown the Beef

Start by cooking the diced bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s nice and crisp—this usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. This step sets the smoky flavor tone you’ll love. Once crisp, transfer the bacon straight to your slow cooker. Next, season your beef cubes with salt and pepper, and brown them in the same skillet, turning each piece to get a rich, caramelized crust. Don’t rush this part—those browned bits on the meat add so much flavor to the final stew. After browning, add the beef to the slow cooker with the bacon.

Step 2: Build the Sauce

Pour the red cooking wine into your skillet and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those tasty browned bits stuck to the pan. Let the wine simmer and reduce slightly—this concentrates the flavors. Then, slowly add the chicken broth, tomato sauce, and soy sauce. To get the sauce nice and smooth, whisk in the flour gradually while stirring. Once everything’s combined and thickened a bit, pour this luscious sauce over the beef and bacon in your slow cooker.

Step 3: Add Veggies and Herbs

Next up, toss in the minced garlic, fresh thyme, sliced carrots, baby potatoes, and mushrooms. Give everything a gentle stir to distribute all those goodies evenly. This mix will slowly absorb the rich sauce, turning tender and flavorful over the cooking time.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover your slow cooker and cook on LOW for about 8 to 10 hours, or if you’re pressed for time, on HIGH for around 6 hours. What you’re looking for is fork-tender beef that’s juicy and infused with all those savory flavors. I find that low and slow gives the best texture, but either way, you can’t really go wrong here.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Once your beef bourguignon is done, sprinkle on some fresh chopped parsley before serving. This adds a lovely pop of green and a touch of freshness that balances the hearty stew perfectly. Serve it up with creamy mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up every bit of that delicious sauce.

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Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe

Don’t Skip Browning: Taking time to brown the beef and bacon adds a deep, rich flavor you can’t achieve by dumping everything in the slow cooker raw.
Wine Choices Matter: Use a wine you’d happily sip on—you’ll taste it in the finished dish, so no cooking wine from a box!
Achieve the Perfect Thickness: Whisking in the flour gradually avoids clumps and helps the sauce coat the ingredients beautifully.
Keep It Low and Slow: Cooking on low heat gives the beef the best tenderness and lets flavors meld naturally without drying out.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I always finish this stew with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley—it’s simple but it brightens up the deep, rich colors and adds a fresh note that balances the hearty flavors.

Side Dishes

Mashed potatoes are my go-to side. They soak up the luscious sauce like a dream. You can also serve it with buttery egg noodles or crusty artisan bread to mop up every last bit of the delicious gravy.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, try plating individual servings in shallow bowls with a dollop of crème fraîche or a small heap of sautéed greens on the side. Garnishing with a sprig of thyme adds a lovely rustic touch that always impresses guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I usually let it cool to room temperature before refrigerating, which helps the flavors deepen even more overnight.

Freezing

This recipe freezes exceptionally well, so feel free to double it and stash some for busy nights. Just freeze in portioned containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally until warmed through, which helps maintain the tender texture of the beef.

FAQs

Can I use other cuts of beef for this Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe?

Yes! While beef chuck is ideal due to its marbling and tenderness after slow cooking, you can also use beef brisket or stew meat. Just make sure the pieces are cut into similar sizes to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
Do I have to brown the beef and bacon before slow cooking?

I highly recommend it. Browning adds a depth of flavor and richer color that you won’t get if you skip this step. It also helps develop the savory, caramelized notes that make this dish so irresistible.
Can I prepare this recipe without wine?

Absolutely. If you want to avoid alcohol, you can substitute the wine with red grape juice mixed with a little vinegar or use extra beef broth with a splash of balsamic vinegar. The flavor won’t be exactly the same, but still delicious.
How thick should the sauce be when the dish is done?

The sauce should be rich and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon lightly but still pourable. If it’s too thin after cooking, you can thicken it on the stove by simmering it gently, or by stirring in a cornstarch slurry.
Can I cook this recipe in an Instant Pot?

Yes! Use the sauté function to brown the bacon and beef, then follow by pressure cooking on high for about 45 minutes to an hour, with a natural release. Just be sure to adjust liquid amounts slightly to avoid too much steam.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon Recipe holds a little piece of comfort food magic in every bite. I love that it feels like a special, rich meal but comes together with such ease in the slow cooker. Whenever life gets busy, this recipe steps in to deliver warmth and satisfaction without stress. I truly hope you give it a try—you’ll love coming home to this fragrant, hearty stew that tastes like love on a plate. Your family (and maybe a few lucky guests) will thank you!