Tender bites of charred beef and crispy bacon are slowly cooked with fresh vegetables in this easy Crock Pot Beef Bourguignon recipe! Flavored with garlic, red wine, tomato paste and more, get ready for a new weeknight’s favorite!
If you enjoyed this hearty meat dinner, try my balsamic braised ribs or Mongolian Instant Pot beef
!
Beef Bourguignon
Whoever coined the phrase “good things come to those who wait” must have had a slow cooker. You just can’t get over a meal without intervention that tastes like you care about it all day! This flavorful meat bourguignon is a cozy and comforting family dinner that keeps everyone looking for more.
The vegetables become so nice and tender, the bacon stays crispy, and the meat is seasoned and browned to perfection. Wine adds a nice and rich flavor to its meat, which is what this dish is famous for!
And don’t worry about the end result being an alcoholic: the long cooking process allows most of the alcohol to evaporate, leaving only the spicy flavors! Even if you ate the whole pot (not recommended, but tempting), you wouldn’t be affected by alcohol. It is totally safe for children and completely delicious!
What is Beef Bourguignon?
Also known as carne de vedeos, beef bourguignon is a healthy meat stew that is stewed in red wine and beef broth. It is usually cooked with bacon, onion, garlic, carrots and a bouquet of fresh herbs, then garnished with pearl onions and mushrooms. This recipe makes a classic meat bourguignon that gives Julia Child a run for her money!
This
dish may have a good amount of ingredients, but they are all thrown into the same pot, also known as the slow cooker. The more the merrier, I say! Bring the flavor.
- Olive oil
- Beef: It is cut into cubes of 1-2 inches and patted dry
- Salt and pepper: To season the meat
- Bacon: diced
- Thyme: You will need 1 bunch, tied with a kitchen rope
- Onion: Chopped into thick pieces
- Garlic: About 2 cloves, chopped.
- Red wine: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bordeaux, Pinot Noir, etc. If you choose to skip this, that’s fine, just replace it with meat broth or meat broth, which will also add richness and depth.
- Meat broth: Also called broth.
- Tomato paste: From the tube.
- Carrots: Chopped into 1-inch cubes.
- Mushrooms: Cremini or baby beautiful, cut in half.
- Pearl onions: You will need 10 ounces.
- Flat-leaf parsley: To decorate.
- Cornstarch and water (optional): If you want a thicker stew.
: To burn the meat.
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What type of meat should I use?
Certain cuts of meat are more suitable for bourguignon slow-cooked beef than others. Here are a few different options I’ve had success with
:
- Top sirloin: I find the top sirloin to taste the best. I buy it whole instead of in pre-cut cubes so I can determine the size I want.
- Lean stew meat: Sometimes this comes pre-cut, which is good if you want to minimize preparation time.
- Brisket: This will give a stronger beef flavor.
- Chuck Roast: Keep in mind that if you use a thicker cut of meat like this, you’ll need to cook the bourguignon a little more.
How to Make Meat Bourguignon in the Slow Cooker
Perhaps the best part about this hearty and healthy dinner is how easy it is to make! The cooking process starts on the stove, but the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.
Season beef:
- Pat the meat dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Sealed beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil to the pan, then add the meat and seal it on each side for 2-3 minutes, until lightly browned. Put the charred meat in the slow cooker.
- Sauté bacon: Add the bacon to the pan and sauté until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Once cooked, add it to the slow cooker.
- garlic: Add the onions and garlic to the pan. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 2-3 minutes, then add them to the slow cooker.
- : Next, add the red wine to your hot pan. Using a wooden spoon, scrape off all the brown pieces from the bottom of the pan.
- : Add the meat broth and tomato paste to the pan. Whisk the mixture and continue scraping the pan until everything is removed.
- cooker: Add the thyme pack to your slow cooker along with the carrots, mushrooms, and pear onions.
- and stir: Pour the red wine mixture into the slow cooker. Stir gently and cover.
- Cook: Simmer for 6-8 hours, or until meat is tender.
- enjoy! Garnish the dish with flat leaf parsley or additional thyme and serve.
Sauté onions and
Add wine to the pan
Add meat broth and tomato paste
Add thyme and vegetables to the slow
Add the wine mixture
These
simple tips will have you cooking bourguignon slow-cooked beef like a pro. As the French say, bon appetit!
- Dry meat thoroughly: Be sure to dry the meat with a paper towel before seasoning and burning it. This helps it to brown properly.
- Use the right wine: Usually, bourguignon beef is made with a Bordeaux red wine like Pinot Noir or Gamay. I prefer Pinot Noir because it’s a bit fruitier, but I also like to use Cabernet Sauvignon. The key is to select a bottle of wine that you wouldn’t mind drinking.
- : Tying your thyme helps the flavors really infuse the dish, making everything more delicious. Also, prevent unwanted portions of the group from being diverted to your stew!
- Scrape the pan: Those little brown pieces at the bottom of your pan? Don’t let them go to waste! Grate them in the wine mixture and enjoy the explosion of flavor that they will provide to this dish.
- if desired: If the sauce isn’t thick enough for you, add 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or arrowroot) and 1 tablespoon of water to a small bowl. Mix until the dry ingredients dissolve and stir the mixture in the sauce. Cook for 5 minutes and serve.
Tie the thyme
Thicken the sauce
Serving Tips
Need some easy dishes that are delicious enough to be served along with this meaty masterpiece? The following recipes go particularly well with bourguignon beef.
Serve over mashed potatoes:
- The man makes this stew taste like heaven in a bowl with some creamy mashed potatoes. Get ready to be surprised when you combine it with these garlic and parsnip puree potatoes or my sour cream and mashed potatoes with chives!
- Accompany with French bread: A pot of this soup plus a fresh baguette, yes, please! I like to tear off pieces of fluffy, crispy bread to use as a spoon for soup. Tasty and efficient!
- Serve over spaghetti: Or even better, over this spaghetti squash with Parmesan herbs! Another win for healthy home-cooked food.
How to store and reheat leftovers Leftover
meat bourguignon will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days, if stored correctly. Once cooled, transfer the stew to an airtight container or plastic bag with all the air squeezed.
Reheating can be done in the slow cooker over low heat for about 4 hours. If you want to heat your leftovers faster than that, you can reheat the stew in a pot over a burner over low heat. Stir often until warmed up, about 15 minutes.
Can I freeze this?
Yes, you can freeze bourguignon beef if you want. Simply place it in a freezer-safe storage bag once it has cooled, then freeze it for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before reheating as above.
Print more meat
dinners to try
Beef
can be cooked and served in countless delicious ways. These easy recipes are just a few examples!
- Spicy Kung Pao beef
- noodles Grilled meat skewers with avocado cucumber Tzatziki
- Easy Instant Pot Beef Barbecue
