This slow cooker beef bourguignon won’t be quite as intensely reduced as a version simmered on the stove, but it still delivers deep flavour and is wonderfully convenient. It’s ideal for busy weeknights when everyone returns to school or work and you want a comforting meal with minimal evening effort.
When I first developed this slow cooker beef bourguignon it was part of a simple challenge: create a recipe that works perfectly for the start of the school term—something you can assemble quickly or with very little hands-on time and still enjoy great results. This is that recipe.
I use my slow cooker all the time. It makes evenings easier when I’m juggling bedtime, a run and getting dinner on the table for the family without fuss. The slow cooker lets the flavours develop while you get on with the rest of your day.
The best thing about this slow cooker beef bourguignon
What elevates this dish is the smoked bacon lardons, which give the sauce a rich, smoky backbone. Combined with red wine, beef stock and a mix of herbs, the result is a warming, satisfying stew that’s perfect when the evenings grow cooler. This version keeps things straightforward while still delivering classic bourguignon flavour.
What ingredients do you need for beef bourguignon?
Here’s everything you need to make this slow cooker beef bourguignon:
- 200 g smoked bacon lardons (or chopped bacon or pancetta)
- 450 g stewing steak (choose a cut with some fat, not a very lean steak)
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 200 g mushrooms, quartered
- 2 large carrots, cut into batons
- 75 ml red wine (any dry red will work)
- 75 ml beef stock
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp rosemary
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp parsley
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tsp cornflour (optional, to thicken at the end)
Can you make this without a slow cooker?
Yes. If you prefer to cook on the stove or in the oven, you can adapt the method: brown the bacon and beef as directed, transfer everything to an ovenproof dish, cover and cook in a low oven for around 3 hours at 150°C. The slow cooker route simply requires less hands-on time and is very forgiving.
Can you cook this in larger batches?
You can easily double the quantities to make a larger batch. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to three days and reheat well on the hob, in the oven or the microwave. This dish also freezes well for up to three months; freezing in individual portions makes reheating quicker and more convenient.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
Author: Corina Blum
Summary: A simple slow cooker beef bourguignon with smoky bacon, mushrooms and carrots, finished with red wine and herbs. Hands-on time is short and the slow cooker does the rest.
Prep time: 10 mins • Cook time: 7–8 hrs on low • Serves: 4 • Calories (approx): 539 kcal
Ingredients
- 200 g smoked bacon lardons
- 450 g stewing steak, cut into chunks
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 200 g mushrooms, quartered
- 2 large carrots, sliced into batons
- 75 ml red wine
- 75 ml beef stock
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp rosemary
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp parsley
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tsp cornflour (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Heat a saucepan and brown the smoked bacon lardons until they release their fat and begin to crisp. Transfer the lardons to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Using the same pan, brown the stewing beef in batches to develop colour. Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
- Add the diced onion, crushed garlic, mushrooms, carrots, red wine, beef stock, thyme, rosemary, basil, parsley and bay leaves to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours, until the beef is tender and the flavours have melded.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, dissolve the cornflour in a little cold water and stir it into the stew. Cook for a further 10–15 minutes to thicken.
- Serve hot with mashed or baked potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Notes
Nutritional information is approximate and provided as a guideline only. For a richer result, use a full-bodied red wine and well-marbled stewing beef. If smoked bacon is not available, unsmoked bacon or pancetta will still work but with a slightly different flavour profile.
Nutrition (per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 539 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated fat: 14 g
- Sodium: 998 mg
- Potassium: 992 mg
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 4 g
More Slow Cooker Recipes
If you enjoy slow cooker meals, here are a few other favourites to try:
-
Slow Cooker Chicken Tagine -
Lamb Jalfrezi in the Crock-Pot Express
-
Slow Cooked Barbecue Ribs
For another French-style stew, try a quick and easy coq au vin for similar warming flavours with chicken.
KEEP IN TOUCH
If you make this slow cooker beef bourguignon I’d love to hear how it turns out. Feedback from readers is always welcome.
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