Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon is a rich, hearty French stew featuring tender chunks of beef slowly simmered in red wine with aromatics, herbs, vegetables, and savory depth. Perfect for cozy dinners or special occasions, this classic dish brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your table with the ease of a slow cooker. As it cooks, the warm, comforting aroma fills your home, making it irresistible.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Beef Bourguignon:

• 2 lbs (900g) beef chuck or stew meat, cut into 2-inch chunks

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced

• 2 cups red wine (Burgundy or Pinot Noir)

• 2 cups beef broth

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 2 teaspoons dried thyme

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)

• 1 cup pearl onions (or frozen, peeled)

• 1 cup button or cremini mushrooms, quartered

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Optional for thickening:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions

Brown the Beef:
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet. Season beef with salt and pepper. Brown in batches to sear all sides. Set aside.

Sauté Vegetables:
Add remaining oil. Sauté onion for 3–4 minutes, then garlic and carrots for 2 more minutes.

Deglaze & Transfer:
Pour in wine, scrape browned bits, and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker. Add broth, tomato paste, thyme, bay leaves, sugar, and Worcestershire. Stir.

Slow Cook:
Add beef to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 7–8 hours or high 4–5 hours until beef is tender.

Cook Onions & Mushrooms:
In final 30 mins, sauté pearl onions and mushrooms in butter until golden. Set aside.

Finish the Stew:
Remove bay leaves. For thicker sauce, stir in flour slurry and cook on high for 10–15 minutes. Add onions and mushrooms. Adjust seasoning.

Serve:
Garnish with parsley and serve hot over mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or crusty bread.

Nutrients

• Serving Size: 1 (based on 6 servings)

• Calories: 400

• Total Fat: 15g

• Saturated Fat: 5g

• Unsaturated Fat: 8g

• Cholesterol: 75mg

• Sodium: 550mg

• Carbohydrates: 20g

• Fiber: 4g

• Sugars: 5g

• Protein: 35g

A Dish Rooted in French Tradition

Beef Bourguignon, or Bœuf Bourguignon, has its roots in rural French cuisine where resourceful cooks found ways to tenderize tougher cuts of meat by cooking them slowly with wine and aromatics. The result is a dish that exudes rustic charm while also offering a rich, refined flavor profile that has made it a staple in both French homes and fine dining establishments. Julia Child famously introduced the American audience to this stew, turning it into an icon of French comfort food across the globe.

Why This Slow-Cooked Version Stands Out

While traditional methods require hours of stovetop tending, this slow-cooked adaptation preserves all the dish’s authenticity and flavor while eliminating the stress. The slow cooker gently coaxes every bit of tenderness from the beef, while allowing the wine, herbs, garlic, and vegetables to marry into a deep, robust sauce. It’s the kind of meal that simmers in the background, quietly building flavor until dinnertime, making it ideal for busy weekdays or leisurely weekends.

One of the hallmarks of this recipe is its depth of flavor. The beef is first seared to develop a rich brown crust, which adds a foundational savoriness to the stew. The red wine—typically a good Burgundy or Pinot Noir—not only tenderizes the meat as it cooks but also infuses the entire dish with a complex, fruity acidity that balances beautifully with the sweetness of the carrots and pearl onions. Tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and optional sugar round out the flavor spectrum with umami and subtle sweetness.

Texture and Taste That Feel Luxurious

The texture of a well-made Beef Bourguignon is unforgettable. The meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, the carrots soften to buttery perfection, and the pearl onions and mushrooms add pops of savory delight. The sauce, thickened either with a flour slurry or by simmering, clings lovingly to each bite, creating an indulgent, cohesive stew that feels far more luxurious than the effort required to make it.

Adding the mushrooms and pearl onions in the final 30 minutes preserves their structure and color while allowing them to absorb just enough of the stew’s essence. Sautéing them separately ensures they develop their own golden, caramelized notes, layering in even more texture and depth.

Perfect for Gatherings and Cozy Nights In

This dish is more than just a weeknight dinner—it’s perfect for impressing guests or preparing ahead for a cozy family gathering. It feels celebratory, comforting, and deeply satisfying all at once. The aroma that fills your home while it cooks slowly is as inviting as the dish itself. It signals something special—an old-world meal that evokes tradition, love, and warmth.

Pair it with buttery mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or a slice of crusty artisan bread to soak up every last drop of the savory sauce. Add a simple green salad and a glass of the same red wine used in cooking, and you’ve got a meal that delights all the senses.

Nutritional Highlights and Wholesome Benefits

Despite its decadent flavor, Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon is a well-balanced dish. Each serving offers a healthy dose of protein—approximately 35 grams—along with essential nutrients from the vegetables. The carrots contribute beta-carotene and fiber, while the onions and garlic provide powerful antioxidants and immune-boosting compounds.

The controlled amount of fat (with only around 15 grams per serving) ensures the dish remains satisfying without being overly heavy. Using a lean cut of beef like chuck helps to keep the fat content in check while still delivering rich flavor after slow cooking.

This dish can also be adjusted for dietary preferences: gluten-free flour or cornstarch can be used as thickeners, and sodium can be reduced by using low-sodium broth and limiting added salt.

A Versatile Dish with Timeless Appeal

One of the beauties of Beef Bourguignon lies in its versatility. You can customize it based on what you have on hand—use shallots in place of onions, baby potatoes instead of serving it over mashed ones, or toss in parsnips for an extra root-vegetable dimension.

It’s also an excellent make-ahead dish. The flavor actually deepens when stored overnight in the fridge, making leftovers arguably even better than the first day. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, and it’s ready to enjoy again.

Cooking Tips for the Best Results

To get the best out of this recipe, here are a few helpful tips:

• Use a good quality red wine. If it’s not good enough to drink, it’s not good enough for your stew.

• Sear the beef well. This step locks in flavor and adds depth to the stew.

• Don’t skip the aromatics. Garlic, thyme, and bay leaves are essential to building layers of flavor.

• Let the slow cooker work its magic. Low and slow is the way to go for ultimate tenderness.

• Add the mushrooms and onions at the end. This keeps their texture and prevents sogginess.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Experience

While the stew is the star, your choice of sides can elevate the entire meal. Mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or even a light cauliflower mash are ideal bases. A crusty French baguette or rustic sourdough makes a perfect companion to mop up the rich sauce.

For a well-rounded dinner, consider starting with a light salad—perhaps a baby greens mix with vinaigrette—and finish with a rustic dessert like apple tart or chocolate mousse to stay in the French culinary spirit.

Conclusion

Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon is more than just a recipe—it’s a celebration of comfort, patience, and flavor. It showcases how humble ingredients can be elevated into something memorable with a bit of time and love. Whether you’re serving it on a chilly evening at home or presenting it as the main course at a dinner party, this dish never fails to impress. Its aroma is heartwarming, its taste is soul-satisfying, and its roots in French culinary tradition give it timeless appeal. Once you try it, you’ll understand why this slow-cooked stew has captivated food lovers for generations—and why it deserves a permanent spot in your recipe collection.