Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Ingredients

• 2.5 lb beef chuck roast (cut into 1.5-inch chunks)
• salt (to taste)
• freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
• 4 carrots (large, peeled and cut into thick 1-inch chunks)
• 8 oz button or cremini mushrooms (whole)
• 1 cup pearl onions (peeled fresh or frozen)
• 3 garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cup beef broth
• 1 cup dry red wine (can be substituted with 1 extra cup of beef broth)
• 1 tsp dried thyme (or 3 sprigs of fresh thyme)
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 2 tbsp cold water (for cornstarch slurry)
• fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Season the beef chunks generously with salt and pepper.

2. 2

   Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

3. 3

   Brown the beef on all sides in the hot skillet, then transfer the meat and its juices to your slow cooker.

4. 4

   Place the chunky carrots, whole mushrooms, pearl onions, and minced garlic into the slow cooker on top of the beef.

5. 5

   In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, red wine (or extra broth), tomato paste, and dried thyme until smooth.

6. 6

   Pour this mixture evenly over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker.

7. 7

   Submerge the bay leaves into the liquid.

8. 8

   Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the LOW setting for 7 to 8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 4 to 5 hours, until the meat is completely tender and falls apart easily with a fork.

9. 9

   If you prefer a thicker gravy, whisk the cornstarch and cold water together in a small bowl to create a slurry.

10. 10

    Stir the slurry into the slow cooker about 30 minutes before serving and turn the heat to HIGH for the remaining time until the sauce thickens.

11. 11

    Discard the bay leaves before serving.

12. 12

    Sprinkle the stew generously with fresh chopped parsley just before serving.

Notes

Serve warm over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or with crusty bread! Searing the meat is optional but highly recommended for better flavor depth.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• slow-cooked
• beef
• stew
• dinner
• French-inspired
• comfort food