Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon: A Robust French Stew Recipe
# Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon: A Hearty French Stew Recipe
Beef Bourguignon, often referred to as “Boeuf Bourguignon,” is a timeless French recipe originating from the Burgundy region. Renowned for its deep flavors and succulent meat, this filling stew serves as ideal comfort food, particularly in the colder seasons. While it traditionally requires extensive stovetop simmering, slow cookers enable you to attain the same richness with less active cooking time. This article provides you with a delectable slow cooker Beef Bourguignon recipe, along with tips and pointers to elevate your dish.
## The Origins of Beef Bourguignon
Emerging in the 19th century, Beef Bourguignon is frequently linked to the rustic elements of French cuisine. The dish prominently features the region’s notable red wine, an essential component that not only boosts the beef’s flavor but also tenderizes it throughout the cooking. Typically, the stew comprises beef, red wine, onions, carrots, and mushrooms, all cooked together for a hearty and flavorful meal.
## Ingredients
To make a slow cooker Beef Bourguignon, gather the following ingredients:
### Main Ingredients:
– **2 to 3 pounds of beef chuck roast**: Cut into 1-2 inch pieces
– **4 cups of red wine**: A robust wine like Burgundy or Cabernet Sauvignon is ideal
– **2 cups of beef broth**: To enhance the flavor
– **4 cloves of garlic**: Minced
– **1 large onion**: Diced
– **3 medium carrots**: Sliced
– **8 ounces of mushrooms**: Sliced (button or cremini mushrooms are fantastic options)
– **2 tablespoons of tomato paste**: To impart richness
– **2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour**: For thickening the stew
– **2 teaspoons of dried thyme**: Or 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme
– **2 bay leaves**
– **Salt and pepper**: To taste
– **2 tablespoons of olive oil**: For browning the meat
– **Fresh parsley**: Chopped, for garnish
### Optional Ingredients:
– **Bacon or pancetta**: To enhance flavor
– **Pearl onions**: For a traditional flair
– **Potatoes**: To create a more filling stew
## Instructions
### Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
1. **Brown the Beef**: In a sizable skillet, heat the olive oil on medium-high. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper before adding them in batches to the skillet. Brown each piece on all sides for about 5-7 minutes. Move the browned beef to the slow cooker.
2. **Sauté the Vegetables**: Utilize the same skillet to add the chopped onions, carrots, and mushrooms. Sauté for approximately 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Incorporate the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Transfer the vegetables to the slow cooker.
### Step 2: Combine the Ingredients
3. **Mix the Sauce**: In a bowl, whisk together the red wine, beef broth, tomato paste, flour, thyme, and bay leaves until smooth. Pour this sauce over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker, stirring gently to mix.
### Step 3: Slow Cook
4. **Cook the Stew**: Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours. Cooking for an extended time will lead to more tender meat.
### Step 4: Final Touches
5. **Adjust Seasoning**: After cooking, taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Be sure to remove the bay leaves before serving.
6. **Serve**: Spoon the Beef Bourguignon into bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley. This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles to soak up the flavorful sauce.
## Tips for the Perfect Beef Bourguignon
– **Quality Ingredients**: Opt for a high-quality red wine and fresh herbs for optimal flavor.
– **Marinate the Beef**: For a richer taste, consider marinating the beef in wine and herbs overnight prior to cooking.
– **Thickening the Stew**: If you prefer a thicker stew, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and incorporate it into the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
– **Make Ahead**: Beef Bourguignon is even more flavorful the next day, making it an excellent choice for meal prepping or entertaining.
## Conclusion
Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is a wonderful way to savor a classic French dish with minimal work. The slow cooking method allows the flavors to blend beautifully, resulting in a comforting and fulfilling meal. Whether you’re