Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon with One-Pour Wine Mixture Recipe
This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is a hearty and comforting French classic made easy by slow cooking tender beef chuck with red wine, vegetables, and aromatic herbs. The one-pour wine mixture infuses the beef and vegetables with rich flavors as it simmers, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Thickened with a cornstarch slurry and enriched with butter, this dish is perfect for a cozy family meal or special occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (LOW) or 4.5 hours (HIGH)
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes (LOW) or 4 hours 50 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
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
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)
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)
Instructions
- Season the Beef: Place the beef chuck cubes in a large bowl, season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and toss well to coat the meat evenly. Set aside while you prepare the liquid mixture.
- Prepare the Wine Mixture: In a medium 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 fully combined and the tomato paste is dissolved.
- Layer Vegetables in Slow Cooker: Spread the chopped onion, sliced carrots, and mushrooms evenly at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker to create a vegetable bed for the beef.
- Add Beef to Slow Cooker: Arrange the seasoned beef cubes on top of the bed of vegetables in a single, even layer as much as possible.
- Pour Wine Mixture Over Beef and Vegetables: Slowly drizzle the prepared wine and broth mixture evenly over the beef and vegetables, ensuring all pieces are moistened and nestled in the flavorful liquid.
- Cook Low and Slow: 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 vegetables soften.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 20 minutes before serving, whisk together cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to form a slurry, then stir it gently into the slow cooker along with the butter if using. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
- For richer flavor, brown the beef cubes in olive oil before placing them in the slow cooker, though this is optional.
- Use a full-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or Merlot for best results.
- Low-sodium beef broth is preferred to control the salt level.
- If you prefer thicker sauce, you can add an additional cornstarch slurry after cooking and simmer briefly.
- Serve with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or buttered noodles to soak up the delicious sauce.
Keywords: beef bourguignon, slow cooker beef stew, French beef stew, red wine beef stew, comfort food, slow cooker recipes, easy beef stew
