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Crock-Pot Beef Bourguignon reduces time spent in the kitchen but does not take short-cuts with flavor. Beef, bacon, mushrooms, carrots, and onions are slow-cooked to perfection in a rich red wine sauce.
Crock-Pot Beef Bourguignon is tagged as a special occasion dinner recipe because it's feast-worthy, much like Beef and Vegetables in a Red Wine Sauce and Black Forest Pot Roast. It sounds like something you would sit down to for New Year's Eve Dinner, Valentine's Day or an anniversary.
I'm sure Julia Child would agree. It was one of her specialties so you know it's good.
Although I'm not sure how Julia would feel about cooking it all day in a slow cooker, I'm sure she would appreciate the reasoning behind this method...more time with family and friends!
Not that you need to wait for a holiday to make it. It's special occasion worthy, but weeknight friendly because it has a time-saving twist!
Best Beef to Use for Crock-Pot Beef Bourguignon
We use a beef shoulder roast, cut into 2-inch cubes for this recipe. It's also known as shoulder clod roast. It's a type of chuck roast that is lean.
You'll often find stew meat already prepared and that will also work in this recipe.
Should you sear beef cubes first?
Yes! It will caramelize the outside of the beef and seal in the flavor. It's worth the extra step, especially if you're making Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon for a special dinner.
Use the grease that remains in the pan used to cook the bacon or add a little olive oil to do the job.
To sear the beef cubes, blot them dry and then place them in the pan heated over medium-high heat. Cook each cube for 1-3 minutes on each side or until they brown and have a slightly crispy crust.
The Best Red Wine for Crock-Pot beef Bourguignon
A critical ingredient in Crock-Pot Beef Bourguignon is good red wine. First, never cook with anything that you wouldn't drink! The bottles you find on the grocery aisle have lots of added salt. Yuck!
Instead, buy one of these red wines:
- Burgundy
- Pinot Noir
- Merlot
How to Thicken the Sauce for Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
Another important step in this recipe occurs at the very end. Make a slush of water and flour (or cornstarch to keep it gluten-free.) Stir the mixture into the slow cooker about 30 minutes before serving time. Magically...a beautiful, smooth and velvety red wine sauce will develop!
What to Serve with Crock-Pot Beef Bourguignon
One of the best things about this recipe is that it's truly a complete meal. Even so, consider adding these sides to the meal:
- Rolls - to sop up that wonderful sauce! Check out these homemade dinner rolls by Mom on Timeout.
- Mashed potatoes - ditto for sopping up the sauce.
- Side salad - to stretch out the meal.
- A decadent dessert, like Flourless Chocolate Cake.
And, if you happen to have leftovers, make Mini Beef Pot Pies with Crescent Rolls the next day!
Would you like more easy, healthy, carb-conscious recipes?
📋 Recipe
Crock-Pot Beef Bourguignon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 pounds beef shoulder roast cut into 2 inch cubes
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 3 carrots cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 pound mushrooms quartered
- 1 cup broth chicken, beef or vegetable
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine such as Pinot Noir, Merlot or Hearty Burgundy
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 Tablespoons flour or cornstarch
- ⅓ cup cold water
Instructions
- Cook bacon over medium-high heat until crispy.
- Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, leaving excess grease in the pan.
- Blot meat dry with a paper towel and then transfer it (in batches) to the pan with bacon grease
- Sear beef cubes for 1 to 3 minutes on each side over medium-heat.
- As beef cubes are done, transfer them to a crock pot.
- Add bacon, onions, carrots, and mushrooms to the crock-pot.
- Pour broth over the beef and vegetables.
- Sprinkle thyme, salt and pepper over the beef and vegetables.
- Stir tomato paste, wine and garlic together in a small bowl and then pour over beef and vegetables.
- Tuck bay leaf into the crock pot.
- Cook 4-5 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.
- About 30 minutes before serving time, stir together flour and cold water.
- Add flour mixture to the crock pot and stir into beef and vegetables.
- Remove bay leaf and enjoy.
Darla says
Always wanted to make Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon, but, honestly, I was too lazy! haha This recipe made it super easy in, basically, 2 simple steps: fry/sear & slow-cook. Not only was it easy, it was DELICIOUS!!!
I recently purchased a Beef Shoulder Roast & had never made one before, so I was looking up recipes & came across the "Beef Shoulder Roast with Red Wine Mushroom Sauce" on this site & at the bottom of that recipe were "Other Shoulder Roast Recipes" with a link to this "Crock-Pot Beef Bourguignon" recipe & boy, am I glad I clicked on it!!!
Followed the directions to a T, slow-cooked on HIGH for 5.5 hours & the beef was falling apart as I would try to get it on my fork!!!! Served it was mashed potatoes & we gobbled it up!!! Since I had a 3lbs. beef shoulder roast, I adjusted the 'Servings' in the recipe & frozen the leftovers for later this month.
Thanks so much for such an ELEGANT, EASY, & DELICTABLE dish!!!
Marjory Pilley says
Thanks so much for your comments. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
This is our favorite dish! everyone always asks for seconds!
Marjory says
Thanks so much for commenting!
Nellie Tracy says
Love this recipe! Beef Bourguignon is a definite favorite!
Marjory says
Thank you so much!
B. says
So there is a blizzard with 19 inches of snow here in Chicago, and I came across this recipe. It's in the slow cooker now, so we shall see. I'm excited.
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
I love beef bourguignon, but what a great idea to do it in the crock pot. This is one we'll have to try!
Susan says
The crock-pot is definitely the way to go for beef bourguignon. I can only imagine how amazing your house smelled after a few hours of this simmering away.
Amy Kim says
A classic dish! I hear you regarding reality and fantasy! I remember staying up all night after Christmas Eve dinner putting together a play kitchen AND a train table! Gifts are much simpler and smaller these days...
Bea says
I love Beef Bourguignon and making it in the crock pot is one ingenious idea! Love it!
Constance Smith (@FoodieArmyWife) says
What a beautiful bowl full of comfort. That beef looks SO tender and flavorful.
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Wonderful solution for a comfort dinner. I am right there with you in the dream, AND the reality!
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
Yay for crockpots! I've had more than my fair share of slogging through cleaning up the kitchen and then whirling through gift wrapping! Glad I'm not alone 🙂
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
perfect meal for a busy holiday season, Marjory!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Really, what's the difference between simmering in a crockpot and simmering in a dutch oven. I am sure Julia would approve.
Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet) says
I love beef bourgignon, but not how much time it takes. This is the perfect solution for busy days when I want a slow-cooked meal!
Family Foodie says
I love Julia Child recipes! This recipe sounds amazing!
I love your rule of only using wines that you would drink.
Alida says
I would love to have this become the official dish of the holidays. It looks wonderful!
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
I love that you introduced the crockpot to this amazing dish. What a perfect way to serve such a flavorful meal while still having time to finish your last minute holiday tasks. Love it!
Hezzi-D says
Yum! I love beef bourguignon but hate making it. With this crock-pot version it sounds so easy!
Tammi @ Momma's Meals says
I'm all about making an easy but delicious meal so I can spend more time mingling with family! I bet this was to die for! I'm sure the last minute running around at the end of the evening is always worth it 😉
Lane @ Supper for a Steal says
Love the idea of crock pot bourguignon, makes it so much easier 🙂 I agree on the kitchen cleaning, who wants to do that on Christmas Eve.
Liz says
A crockpot meal for the holidays sounds perfect...especially such an elegant one!!! Yeah, there's more chaos than Norman Rockwell at our house, but it's still a good time 🙂
Renee says
This is the kind of recipe I'm sure was the reason they invented crock pots. I can't wait to try this version of beef bourguignon.