Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon with One-Pour Wine Mixture Recipe

Introduction

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is a comforting classic French stew made effortless with a one-pour wine mixture that infuses rich flavor throughout. Tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a luscious sauce come together after hours of slow cooking, making it perfect for cozy family meals or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 1/2 cups dry red wine (such as Pinot Noir or Merlot)
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, for browning if desired)
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 8 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, halved or quartered
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional, for richness)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the raw beef chuck cubes in a large bowl and season with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Toss to coat and set aside while you prepare the mixture.
2. Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the red wine, beef broth, tomato paste, minced garlic, thyme, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until the tomato paste is fully dissolved. This is your one mixture that will flavor the entire dish.
3. Step 3: Add the chopped onion, sliced carrots, and mushrooms to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, spreading them out in an even layer to create a bed for the meat.
4. Step 4: Place the seasoned raw beef chuck cubes on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker, spreading them out but keeping them in a single layer as much as possible.
5. Step 5: Slowly drizzle the prepared red wine and broth mixture evenly over the raw beef and vegetables in the slow cooker, making sure all the meat gets moistened. It should look like the beef is just nestled in a flavorful bath.
6. Step 6: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is very tender and the vegetables are soft.
7. Step 7: About 20 minutes before serving, stir together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Gently stir the slurry into the slow cooker, mixing it into the cooking liquid. If using, stir in the butter for extra richness. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened.
8. Step 8: Taste the beef bourguignon and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if you like, and serve hot with your favorite side.

Tips & Variations

• For deeper flavor, brown the beef cubes in olive oil before adding them to the slow cooker.
• Use fresh thyme if available for a brighter herb flavor.
• To make it gluten-free, ensure your beef broth and tomato paste contain no gluten and use cornstarch for thickening.
• Add pearl onions for a traditional touch and extra sweetness.
• Serve with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Storage

Store leftover beef bourguignon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in a microwave until warmed through. You can also freeze the stew for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

Beef chuck is preferred for its balance of flavor and tenderness after slow cooking. However, you can use brisket or short ribs if you prefer, but avoid lean cuts like sirloin as they may become dry.

Do I need to brown the beef before slow cooking?

Browning the beef is optional but recommended for added depth of flavor and a richer color. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step and still get a delicious result using the wine mixture.

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon with One-Pour Wine Mixture Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 122 reviews

This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is a comforting and flavorful French classic made easy with a one-pour wine and broth mixture. Tender beef chuck, aromatic vegetables, and a rich red wine sauce are slow-cooked to perfection, creating a hearty meal that’s perfect for cozy dinners. The dish is enhanced by simmering in a blend of Pinot Noir or Merlot, beef broth, and savory herbs, then thickened with a cornstarch slurry for a luscious finish.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 8 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef and Seasoning

• 3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided

One-Pour Wine Mixture

• 1 1/2 cups dry red wine (such as Pinot Noir or Merlot)
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (remaining from above)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (remaining from above)

Vegetables

• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 8 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, halved or quartered

Thickening and Finishing

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional, for richness)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for serving (optional)

Optional for Browning

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, for browning if desired)

Instructions

1. Season the Beef: Place the raw beef chuck cubes in a large bowl. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat evenly and set aside while preparing the sauce mixture.
2. Make the Wine Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the red wine, beef broth, tomato paste, minced garlic, thyme, the remaining 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until the tomato paste is fully dissolved, creating a flavorful one-pour mixture for the dish.
3. Prepare Vegetables in Slow Cooker: Add the chopped onion, sliced carrots, and mushrooms to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Spread them out evenly to form a vegetable bed.
4. Layer the Beef: Place the seasoned beef cubes atop the vegetable layer in a single, even layer if possible, ensuring they are nestled well for even cooking.
5. Add the Wine Mixture: Slowly drizzle the prepared red wine and broth mixture evenly over the beef and vegetables, making sure all the meat is moistened and immersed in the flavorful liquid.
6. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is very tender and the vegetables have softened nicely.
7. Thicken the Sauce: About 20 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to form a slurry. Gently stir this slurry into the slow cooker contents to thicken the sauce. If using, add the butter now for added richness. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce has slightly thickened.
8. Season and Serve: Taste the beef bourguignon and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the stew into bowls, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot with your favorite sides.

Notes

• Optional browning of the beef in olive oil prior to slow cooking can add extra flavor but is not necessary.
• Using low-sodium beef broth helps control sodium content, adjust salt accordingly.
• For richer flavor, a splash of brandy or cognac can be added to the wine mixture.
• The dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or buttered noodles.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and flavors deepen overnight.

Keywords: Beef Bourguignon, Slow Cooker Beef Stew, French Beef Stew, Red Wine Beef Stew, Comfort Food, Slow Cooker Recipes