Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Makes 6 - 8 Servings
Beef Bourguignon is a classic French recipe originated in Burgundy and made famous by Julia Child. We have taken her recipe with all its quintessential elements and adapted it to the slow cooker allowing the beef to simmer to tender perfection in its rich Burgundy wine sauce.
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Ingredients

  • 6 slices bacon
  • 3 pounds (1½ kg) stewing beef, cut into 1”-2” (2.5cm-5cm) cubes
  • 1 large white onion, diced
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (15g) flour
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) water
  • 3 cups (750ml) red wine, preferably Burgundy
  • 2 cups (500ml) beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) tomato paste
  • 2 large carrots, sliced into ½” (1.25cm) coins
  • 12 pearl onions
  • 1 pound (454g) cremini mushrooms, halved
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt & pepper
  • beurre manié (see cook's note below and method)

Method

In a large skillet, sauté the bacon over medium heat until crisp.  Transfer to the slow cooker.

Remove all but 1 tablespoon (15ml) of bacon fat from the skillet.  Salt and pepper the stewing beef and sear it in bacon fat in the skillet over medium heat until browned on all sides. Add to the slow cooker.  Next, add the onions to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes to soften. Add additional olive oil, if required.  Then add in the garlic and continue to sauté for another minute. Add the onions and garlic to the slow cooker.   Pour the red wine into the skillet to deglaze the pan and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Mix together 2 tablespoons (15g) of flour with 2 tablespoons (30ml) of water to form a paste. Whisk the paste into the wine until lump free and the sauce starts to thicken. Pour into the slow cooker along with the beef stock and tomato paste.   Add in the carrots, pearl onions, mushrooms, thyme and bay leaves.  Gently mix all ingredients together until fully combined.  Cover and cook on high setting for 6 hours or on low for 8 hours until meat is tender.  

Thirty minutes before serving, make the beurre manié by combining two tablespoons (30g) of softened butter with 2 tablespoons (15g) of flour.  Form into teaspoon (5ml) size balls and add to the slow cooker giving it a good stir to blend.  Continue to simmer for at least 30 minutes more to allow the sauce to thicken.  Before serving, season with salt & pepper to taste.  Garnish with fresh parsley and serve on a bed of mashed potatoes.

Bon Appetit!

Cook's Note:

BEURRE MANIÉ 

It is a French technique meaning “kneaded butter” used to thicken stews, soups, and sauces.  By kneading equal parts of butter and flour together, the flour becomes coated in butter.  When formed into small balls and whisked into hot liquid, it releases its particles without creating lumps. It is used as a finishing step to thicken sauces creating a smooth, shiny luster. 

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