Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon with One-Pour Wine Mixture Recipe
This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is a comforting, rich French classic made easy by using a slow cooker. Tender beef chuck is cooked low and slow in a flavorful mixture of red wine, beef broth, tomato paste, garlic, and thyme, with hearty vegetables like onions, carrots, and mushrooms. The dish is finished with a buttery, thickened sauce and fresh parsley for an elegant, mouthwatering meal perfect for cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 9 hours (Low) or 4 to 5 hours (High)
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes (Low) or 4 hours 20 minutes (High)
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- 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
Liquid 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
Finishing Ingredients
- 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
- Season the beef: 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 well to coat all the pieces evenly and set aside while preparing the sauce mixture.
- Prepare the wine mixture: In a medium mixing bowl or a 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 black pepper until the tomato paste is fully dissolved. This mixture will flavor the entire dish.
- Layer the vegetables: Add the chopped onion, sliced carrots, and mushrooms to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, spreading them out evenly to form a bed for the beef.
- Add the beef: Place the seasoned beef cubes on top of the vegetables in a single layer as much as possible to ensure even cooking.
- Pour the mixture: Slowly drizzle the prepared red wine and broth mixture evenly over the beef and vegetables, ensuring all the beef pieces are moistened and nestled in the flavorful liquid.
- Slow cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is very tender and the vegetables are soft.
- Thicken the sauce: About 20 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Stir this slurry gently into the slow cooker along with the unsalted butter if using, then cover and increase the heat to HIGH. Cook for another 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the beef bourguignon and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Ladle the stew into bowls, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot with your favorite sides such as mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or buttered noodles.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, optionally brown the beef cubes in olive oil using a skillet before adding to the slow cooker.
- Use a full-bodied dry red wine like Pinot Noir or Merlot for the best flavor impact.
- Low-sodium beef broth helps control the saltiness, making seasoning adjustments easier at the end.
- Adding butter at the end enriches the sauce and gives it a silky smooth finish.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright color and fresh herbaceous note as a garnish.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles.
- Can be prepared a day ahead; flavors improve after resting in the fridge overnight.
Keywords: Beef Bourguignon, slow cooker beef stew, French beef stew, red wine beef, comfort food, easy slow cooker recipes
