There’s something magical about a dish that tastes like you’ve been cooking it all day—but your crockpot did all the work. That’s exactly what you get with this Crockpot Beef Bourguignon Recipe.

This French-inspired stew combines tender beef, red wine, mushrooms, carrots, and herbs into a dish that’s both comforting and sophisticated. It’s the perfect recipe for special occasions, dinner parties, or a cozy weekend meal.

And the best part? With just 20 minutes of prep, your slow cooker transforms these simple ingredients into a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece while you get to relax.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Elegant enough for dinner parties, easy enough for weeknights
• Minimal hands-on cooking—your crockpot does the work
• Deep, rich flavors from red wine and herbs
• Pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, noodles, or crusty bread

Isla Marie

Crockpot Beef Bourguignon

This Crockpot Beef Bourguignon is a French classic made easy in the slow cooker. Tender beef chuck, smoky bacon, earthy mushrooms, and carrots are simmered for hours in a rich red wine and beef broth sauce. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, date night, or an elegant dinner party — with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

0 minutes mins

Total Time 8 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: European, French

Calories: 420

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs beef chuck roast cut into large chunks
• 4 slices bacon chopped
• 3 carrots sliced
• 1 large onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 cups red wine Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Cabernet
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 8 oz mushrooms halved
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp flour optional, for thickening
• Salt & black pepper to taste

Equipment

• 6-quart crockpot / slow cooker – Big enough for the stew.
• Large skillet – For browning bacon, beef, and veggies.
• Wooden spoon – To stir and scrape up browned bits.
• Sharp knife & cutting board – For prepping ingredients.

Method

 

1. Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy. Transfer to crockpot.
2. Brown beef in batches in the bacon fat, seasoning with salt & pepper. Add to crockpot.
3. In the same pan, sauté onion, carrots, and garlic until softened. Stir in tomato paste. Transfer mixture to crockpot.
4. Deglaze skillet with red wine, scraping up browned bits. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes. Pour into crockpot.
5. Add beef broth, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir gently.
6. Cover and cook on Low for 8–9 hours or High for 4–5 hours until beef is fork-tender.
7. Add mushrooms in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
8. If you want a thicker sauce, whisk flour into ¼ cup broth and stir into crockpot. Cook 20–30 minutes more.
9. Remove thyme sprigs & bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning.
10. Serve hot over mashed potatoes, noodles, or with crusty bread.

Notes

Use a dry red wine for best flavor.

Pat beef dry before browning for a better sear.

Tastes even better the next day – perfect for meal prep or entertaining.

Gluten-free? Skip flour and thicken with cornstarch slurry.

Variations

• No wine option – Replace wine with extra beef broth + 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar.
• Gluten-free – Skip the flour and use cornstarch slurry to thicken.
• Vegetable boost – Add parsnips, pearl onions, or baby potatoes.

Serving Suggestions

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Buttered egg noodles
• Crusty artisan bread
• Steamed green beans or roasted asparagus

Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze in portions up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm gently on the stove or in crockpot. Add a splash of broth if too thick.

FAQ

Q: Can I make Crockpot Beef Bourguignon ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, it tastes even better the next day after the flavors develop.

Q: What’s the best wine to use?
A dry red wine like Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon works best.

Q: Can I skip the bacon?
Yes, but bacon adds a smoky richness. You can replace it with 1 tbsp olive oil.

Q: How do I thicken the sauce?
Mix flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free) with broth, then stir into crockpot during the last 30 minutes.

Final Thoughts

This Crockpot Beef Bourguignon Recipe proves that gourmet dining doesn’t have to mean hours in the kitchen. With minimal prep, you’ll serve a dish that’s hearty, elegant, and bursting with rich flavors. Whether it’s for a family dinner or an intimate dinner party, this slow-cooked classic is sure to impress.