Description
Mary Berry’s Beef Bourguignon is a classic French stew made with tender chunks of beef braised in red wine, along with carrots, onions, mushrooms, and bacon. The slow cooker version brings out the depth of flavor without the need to stand by the stove, making it an easy-to-prepare dish that’s full of rich, savory notes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 kg stewing beef (cut into chunks)
- 100g smoked bacon (diced)
- 2 onions (chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 carrots (sliced)
- 250g mushrooms (quartered)
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 500ml red wine (Burgundy or any full-bodied red)
- 250ml beef stock
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef chunks in batches and brown them on all sides. Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
- Cook the Bacon and Vegetables: In the same pan, add the diced bacon and cook until crispy. Add the chopped onions, garlic, and carrots, and cook until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker.
- Sauté the Mushrooms: Add the remaining olive oil to the pan, then sauté the mushrooms for 3-4 minutes until golden. Add them to the slow cooker as well.
- Prepare the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker. Stir everything to coat. Then, pour in the red wine, beef stock, and tomato purée. Add the bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Slow Cook the Bourguignon: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally if possible.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, remove the bay leaves and discard them. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.