Why You’ll Love this Cozy French Beef Bourguignon
When the temperature drops and comfort food cravings kick in, nothing satisfies quite like this rich, hearty Beef Bourguignon.
This French classic transforms humble ingredients into something truly magical—tender beef chunks that practically melt in your mouth, swimming in a velvety wine sauce that’s been simmering for hours.
I adore how the bacon adds a smoky depth, while those pearl onions provide little bursts of sweetness.
The mushrooms? They soak up all that savory goodness.
Ready for the best part? Your slow cooker does most of the work, filling your home with an aroma that’ll make you feel like you’re in a cozy French countryside kitchen.
What Ingredients are in Cozy French Beef Bourguignon?
The beauty of beef bourguignon lies in its relatively simple ingredient list that transforms into something extraordinary through slow cooking. This traditional French stew relies on humble components that build layers of flavor—starting with bacon for smokiness, beef for heartiness, and vegetables that break down to create that signature rich sauce.
The magic happens when everything mingles together in the slow cooker, allowing those flavors to deepen and intensify over several hours.
- 6 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 pounds beef rump or chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced diagonally
- 1 medium onion, cubed
- 3 tablespoons flour (or 1¼ tablespoons cornstarch for gluten-free)
- 14 ounces (about 2 cups) low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 whole bay leaf
- 14 ounces white pearl onions, peeled (frozen, thawed and drained work well)
- 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup red wine
When shopping for this recipe, quality matters but doesn’t need to break the bank. Look for well-marbled beef chuck which becomes incredibly tender after slow cooking, and don’t skip the bacon—it provides that crucial depth.
For the wine component, no need for anything fancy! Any dry red wine you’d enjoy drinking works perfectly, with Burgundy being traditional (hence “bourguignon”), but Pinot Noir or Merlot make excellent substitutes.
And remember, pearl onions can be a bit fussy to peel fresh, so the frozen variety saves significant prep time without sacrificing flavor.
How to Make this Cozy French Beef Bourguignon
Making beef bourguignon might sound fancy, but it’s actually quite straightforward—especially when using a slow cooker to do most of the heavy lifting.
Begin by cooking 6 slices of bacon (cut into 1-inch pieces) in a frying pan until crispy. This renders that gorgeous fat that will flavor everything else. While the bacon sizzles away, use this time efficiently to prep your vegetables—dice that medium onion and diagonally slice those 3 large carrots.
Once the bacon is done, remove it but save that liquid gold in the pan, draining only most of the grease.
Now comes the most important flavor-building step: browning those 3 pounds of beef cubes in the same bacon-flavored pan. This caramelization creates depth you simply can’t get otherwise. Transfer the beautifully browned meat to your cooking-spray-coated slow cooker, then layer on the cooked bacon, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 1 bay leaf, and those 14 ounces of pearl onions.
For this recipe, investing in one of the top slow cookers available today will ensure even heat distribution and perfect results every time.
No need to stir yet—we’re building layers of flavor. Next, brown the carrots and diced onion in that same trusty pan, season with 1 teaspoon of salt and some pepper, and add them to the crockpot.
For the final preparatory step, cook 1 pound of sliced cremini mushrooms with the remaining teaspoon of salt in the same pan. Once they’ve released their moisture and started to brown, sprinkle in the 3 tablespoons of flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free) and stir until the mushrooms are coated.
Pour in the 14 ounces of beef broth, creating a thick mushroom gravy, and add this as the top layer in your slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours, adding the ½ cup of red wine during the final hour of cooking.
Want a thicker gravy? Simply mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water (add a tablespoon of butter if you’re feeling indulgent), stir it into the pot, and cook on high for 10 more minutes.
The result? A deeply flavored, soul-warming French stew that tastes like it came straight from grandma’s kitchen.
Cozy French Beef Bourguignon Substitutions and Variations
Traditional beef bourguignon offers countless opportunities for creative adaptation without losing its soul-warming essence.
Don’t have bacon? Pancetta works beautifully. For a lighter version, try using chicken thighs instead of beef—I’d reduce the cooking time to about 5 hours.
Can’t find pearl onions? Regular chopped onions will do in a pinch.
For vegetarians in your life, portobello mushrooms make a hearty substitute for the beef.
And if you’re avoiding alcohol, unsweetened cranberry juice mixed with a splash of balsamic vinegar creates that same tangy depth.
Need it gluten-free? The cornstarch option works perfectly.
What to Serve with Cozy French Beef Bourguignon
Pairing your beef bourguignon with the right accompaniments transforms this hearty stew from merely delicious to absolutely memorable.
I love serving it with crusty French bread for sopping up that rich, wine-infused gravy—isn’t that everyone’s favorite part?
Buttered egg noodles make a perfect bed for this stew, catching all those savory juices.
Mashed potatoes work beautifully too, especially when made with plenty of butter and cream.
For vegetables, consider a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or steamed green beans.
The brightness cuts through the richness, creating balance that your taste buds will thank you for.
Final Thoughts
While preparing beef bourguignon might seem challenging at first, I hope this recipe shows you it’s actually quite approachable for home cooks.
The slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting, transforming simple ingredients into something truly special over those seven hours.
There’s something magical about the way the wine, beef, and vegetables meld together into that rich, velvety sauce. Worth every minute of preparation, trust me.
Consider making this on a cold weekend when you’re puttering around the house anyway. The aroma alone will make your home feel like a cozy French countryside cottage.
Comfort food at its finest.
