Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

  • 15MINS
  • 5HR
  • Serves 4
  • 320KCAL

A slimming friendly, French inspired beef stew that you can leave to simmer in the slow cooker all day. It’s the perfect winter warmer!

  • Batch Cook pinchofnom.com
  • Dairy Free pinchofnom.com
  • Everyday Light pinchofnom.com
Easy Peasy Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon pinchofnom.com
5

NutritionPer Serving

  • Calories320
  • Carbs26g
  • Protein37g
  • Fat6g
  • Saturates1.9g
  • Sugars13g

Beef Bourguignon - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

For the full list of ingredients and comprehensive instructions, please see the recipe card below. Before you scroll, there’s important stuff in the blurb!

Is there any better feeling than knowing dinner will be ready when you get home after a long day? This hearty Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is made with simple, healthy ingredients that turn into a rich stew with robust flavours. 

Inspired by the classic French dish, we’ve created a slow cooker friendly version of our recipe so that you can enjoy the delicious taste even on days where you don’t have time to cook in the evening. Pop everything in the pot before you head to work and just imagine the gorgeous smells you’ll be greeted with when you walk through the door. 

To keep our Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon slimming friendly and flavourful we’ve left out the red wine and instead added some red wine stock pots. These are so handy for bringing in those robust flavours, without ramping up the calories. Of course, if you’re not counting calories or following a diet plan like Weight Watchers, you might prefer to leave out the red wine stock pots and add a glass of the real stuff instead. 

If you don’t have a slow cooker we also have an oven method for this recipe, as well as an Instant Pot method for when you’re in a hurry!

What diets is this Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon suitable for?

This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon recipe can be enjoyed on a dairy free diet. It can be made suitable for gluten free diets as long as you use a gluten free beef stock cube and use Henderson’s Relish instead of Worcestershire sauce. 

If you’re cooking for people with allergies, be extra careful when checking ingredients and preparing food!

Do you need any special ingredients to make Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon?

You’ll need some red wine stock pots which should be available in your usual supermarket. These are little pots of concentrated, de-alcoholised red wine that add full, fruity flavour to your cooking. They can typically be found in the cooking ingredients aisle, near to the stock cubes. 

Hints & Tips

Below we added some of our communities most common hints and tips. We hope you find them useful.

Cook double quantities to freeze for later.
I cooked double quantities of the beef bourguigon in the slow cooker so I would have some to defrost and reheat later. An easy recipe to follow. It cooks well in the slow cooker and is tender and tasty. Doesn’t lose any of it flavour.
Perfect for a winters day.
Freezes well. Works well if you don't have time to pre brown meat before putting it all in the slow cooker. I cooked on low for 7 hours whilst I was at work.
1
I took the lid off for the last 30minutes to thicken the sauce. It was lovely and will definitely make again. A true favourite

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‘Mouth watering decadence! Easy, no real faffing - perfect for busy people who want amazingly delicious food after a long day.’

Lewisfan

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You can also purchase red wine stock pots online from Amazon. 

To make this recipe you will need a slow cooker. A 3.5 litre slow cooker like this one has a good capacity for batch cooking.  

How many calories are in this Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon?

There are 320 calories per portion in this Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon recipe, which means it falls into our Everyday Light recipe category. If you’re counting calories or following one of the popular diet plans like Weight Watchers, this recipe fits in perfectly!

NHS guidelines suggest men should aim for 2,500 calories per day to maintain a healthy body weight, and women require around 2000 calories. Each person has different calorie requirements depending on their goal, so you may want to adjust your daily calorie intake according to your own personal goal.

Step 1

Place the beef on a plate and sprinkle over the cornflour. Season with salt and black pepper and toss to coat the beef all over.

Step 1 pinchofnom.com

Step 2

Spray a large frying pan with low calorie spray and place over a medium high heat. When the frying pan is hot, add the beef and fry for 3-4 minutes, turning to seal and brown on all sides. Place the beef in the slow cooker pot.

Step 2 pinchofnom.com Step 2 pinchofnom.com

Step 3

Lower the heat to medium and spray the frying pan again with low calorie cooking spray. Add the bacon, scraping up any meaty bits from the bottom of the frying pan and stir in. Fry the bacon for 4-5 minutes until cooked and lightly browned around the edges. Add the bacon to the beef in the slow cooker pot.

Step 3 pinchofnom.com Step 3 pinchofnom.com

Step 4

Spray the frying pan again if needed and place on a medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 5 minutes until it softens and turns golden, again scraping up any meaty bits in the frying pan and stirring in. Add the garlic and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.

Step 4 pinchofnom.com

Step 5

Add the carrots and mushrooms and cook for 4-5 minutes to lightly brown. Add the vegetables to the slow cooker pot.

Step 5 pinchofnom.com Step 5 pinchofnom.com

Step 6

In a measuring jug, mix the hot stock, red wine stock pots, tomato puree, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, thyme and bay leaves. Stir until the stock pots have dissolved. Pour into the slow cooker pot and stir into the beef and vegetables.

Step 6 pinchofnom.com Step 6 pinchofnom.com

Step 7

Cover with the lid and turn the slow cooker onto the high setting. Cook for 4-5 hours. The stew will be ready when the beef is tender, and the gravy has thickened. Season to taste if needed.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaves and serve with steamed vegetables or other accompaniment of your choice.

Beef Bourguignon - Pinch of Nom Slimming Recipes

What could I serve with this Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon?

This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is delicious served with some simple steamed veggies, but we also think it pairs really well with almost any potato dish. From fluffy mash to crispy potatoes, you can’t go wrong with any of these side dishes:

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How do you know when Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is cooked?

You need to let this Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon cook for 4-5 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the beef is tender and the sauce has reduced to a thick, rich gravy. 

Here in the UK, the standard advice is to cook food until it has reached 70°C and maintained that temperature for 2 minutes. This is to keep you and your family safe! 

How long can you keep Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon in the fridge?

Once you’ve put it out, ideally you should eat this Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon within 4 hours.

You can allow any leftovers to cool and then store them in a container with a lid in the fridge for up to 2 days.   

Can I freeze Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon?

YES you can freeze this recipe! If you do, just remember to do the following:

  • Allow it to cool and then freeze as soon as it is cold enough.
  • Place in a container or bag that is suitable for freezing.
  • Add a label with the recipe name and what date you froze it.

How do I reheat Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon?

From chilled: Place in a microwavable container with a loosely fitting lid and heat for 4-7 minutes until piping hot. Alternatively, transfer the Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon into a saucepan and reheat on the hob until it is piping hot all the way through. 

From frozen: Allow to defrost overnight in the fridge and then reheat following the instructions above. 

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Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

A slimming friendly, French inspired beef stew that you can leave to simmer in the slow cooker all day. It’s the perfect winter warmer!
  • Prep Time
    15 MINS
  • Cook Time
    5 HR
  • KCals 320
  • Carbs 26G

Ingredients

  • 500 g diced beef, all visible fat removed
  • 2 tbsp cornflour
  • 4 smoked bacon medallions, cut into 2cm dice
  • 2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
  • 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1cm thick slices
  • 250 g button mushrooms, halved
  • 300 ml beef stock, 1 beef stock cube made up with 300ml of boiling water
  • 2 red wine stock pots
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce or Henderson's Relish
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • low calorie cooking spray

large frying pan

3.5 litre slow cooker

We use a fan assisted oven for all of our recipes. Check out our oven temperature conversion guide.

Please do not screenshot this. Recipes are updated often

Instructions

  1. Place the beef on a plate and sprinkle over the cornflour. Season with salt and black pepper and toss to coat the beef all over.
  2. Spray a large frying pan with low calorie cooking spray and place over a medium high heat. When the frying pan is hot, add the beef and fry for about 3-4 minutes, turning to seal and brown on all sides. Place the beef in the slow cooker pot.
  3. Lower the heat to medium and spray the frying pan again with low calorie cooking spray. Add the bacon, scraping up any meaty bits from the bottom of the frying pan and stir in. Fry the bacon for 4-5 minutes until cooked and lightly browned around the edges. Add the bacon to the beef in the slow cooker pot.
  4. Spray the frying pan again if needed and place on a medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 5 minutes until it softens and turns golden, again scraping up any meaty bits in the frying pan and stirring in. Add the garlic and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.
  5. Add the carrots and mushrooms and cook for 4-5 minutes to lightly brown. Add the vegetables to the slow cooker pot.
  6. In a measuring jug, mix the hot stock, red wine stock pots, tomato puree, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, thyme and bay leaves. Stir until the stock pots have dissolved. Pour into the slow cooker pot and stir into the beef and vegetables.
  7. Cover with the lid and turn the slow cooker onto the high setting. Cook for 4-5 hours. The stew will be ready when the beef is tender, and the gravy has thickened. Season to taste if needed.
  8. Remove the bay leaves and serve with steamed vegetables or other accompaniment of your choice.

Looking for Slimming World Syns or Weight Watchers (WW) Points?

With ever-changing plans and point calculations, we have made the decision to remove WW Points from the website - referring to your individual plan or advice from your consultant is always going to give the most accurate results.



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Find out why here

Recipe notes

Tip: You could add a glass of red wine instead of the red wine stock pots and adjust the calories accordingly.

If you’ve made Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon and love it, let us know by tagging us in your photos!

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35 comments

See what others have to say

Dave AmbridgeSunday 4th February 2024

Hi, could you please let me know what books the recipes are in, as I find it easier to use the books, rather than my phone. Thanks

Reply

    Cheryl LloydTuesday 6th February 2024

    Hi Dave, not every recipe is in a cookbook. We have hundreds of tasty recipes that are just on the website. This recipe is one of those that isn’t in any of the books. Hope that helps a little.

    Reply

LewisfanTuesday 7th November 2023

I did not expect it to be THAT GOOD! I am not sure I can save the rest for tomorrow hahaha!

I made a few adaptations (no bacon or garlic, and sliced onion instead of diced) and it was absolutely decadent – rich, deep flavour with melting beef and beautifully cooked carrots etc.

Definitely a regular meal now!

Reply

    SharonFriday 17th November 2023

    Hi Lewisfan,
    Thanks so much for your lovely comment. We’re really pleased to hear you enjoyed our Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon!

    Reply

NatSaturday 19th November 2022

I’m intolerent to vinegar is there anything I can use instead?

Reply

    HollyMonday 28th November 2022

    Hi Nat, you could omit the balsamic vinegar or add extra Worcestershire sauce or 1 tbsp of soy sauce, hope that helps!

    Reply

EmmaWednesday 19th October 2022

what can I use instead of cornflour please and can it be done in the slow cooker

Reply

    SharonWednesday 19th October 2022

    Hi Emma, you could use plain flour instead of cornflour if you prefer. Yes, our Beef Bourguignon can be cooked in the slow cooker, here is the recipe:
    Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon. Enjoy the recipe!

    Reply

      DawnTuesday 23rd January 2024

      Hello, what book is this recipe from please, I can’t find it. Thank you

      Cheryl LloydSunday 4th February 2024

      This recipe isn’t in any of the cookbooks, just on the website 😊

RachelFriday 24th June 2022

Can you prepare / fry off the meat and veg thr night before and put on fridge?
Then in the a.m put it in the ow cooker?

Reply

    SharonTuesday 28th June 2022

    Hi Rachel, yes it is fine to prepare and fry off the meat and vegetables the night before. Just make sure to cool them quickly before putting in the fridge.Then in the morning put them in your slow cooker with the remaining ingredients. Thanks for your question and hope this helps!

    Reply

JoannaSunday 5th June 2022

Could you change the beef for chicken?

Reply

    SharonFriday 10th June 2022

    Hi Joanna, we haven’t tried this but it should work well.You could use whole skinless chicken thigh fillets, they tend to have a better flavour than chicken breast.Follow steps 1 and 2 and then continue with the recipe. Hope you enjoy it!

    Reply

Tasha LinsleyThursday 24th February 2022

URGENT CAN SOMEONE PLEASEE TELL ME HOW MUCH STOCK IM MENT TO BE PUTINT IN THE SLOW COOKER

Reply

    SharonFriday 25th February 2022

    Hi Tasha, you need to put 300ml beef stock in the slow cooker. This is 1 beef stock cube made up with 300 ml boiling water. Hope this helps.

    Reply

CarlyWednesday 23rd February 2022

Hi there, this looks delicious! Can it be cooked in an instant pot please? Thank you

Reply

DawnSunday 20th February 2022

Can it be cooked on low for longer?

Reply

    HollyMonday 21st February 2022

    Hi Dawn, we have an article HERE for slow cooker conversions which includes a time conversion chart which you may find helpful

    Reply

LauraWednesday 16th February 2022

Not big fans of balsamic vinegar. Would red wine vinegar work as a substitute?

Reply

    HollyThursday 17th February 2022

    Hi Laura, yes you could swap the balsamic vinegar for red wine vinegar, hope that helps!

    Reply

Danielle charnockMonday 7th February 2022

Do I have to brown off or can I just put it all in the slow cooker.

Reply

    SharonTuesday 8th February 2022

    Hi Danielle, we recommend browning the beef, bacon and vegetables before putting in the slow cooker as this will give a deep, rich flavour and colour to the stew. It’s not essential to do this, but the recipe probably won’t taste as good as it should if you don’t do it.If you choose not to brown, I would recommend mixing the cornflour with about 2 tbsp cold water until smooth and stirring it in at the end of cooking rather than coating the beef first as it may make the stew lumpy. Then cook with the lid off until thickened. Hope this helps.

    Reply

Lesley RobinsonFriday 4th February 2022

Hi. How long would you cook this in a fan oven and what temperature. I do not have a slow cooker. Thanks

Reply

    HollyMonday 7th February 2022

    Hey Lesley, we have an oven method for this recipe HERE, hope that helps!

    Reply

HazelWednesday 2nd February 2022

Sounds amazing!! I have some braising beef. Would that work as a cut? Thanks 😊

Reply

    LisaThursday 3rd February 2022

    That would be an ideal cut for this recipe, Hazel. Hope you enjoy it!

    Reply

      HazelThursday 3rd February 2022

      Great, thank you 😊

JudyTuesday 1st February 2022

Hi, I can’t get red wine stock pots so is there anything I can use to replace it ? Thanks.

Reply

    SharonWednesday 2nd February 2022

    Hi Judy, you could add a splash of red wine instead,(up to approximately a small glass), if you don’t mind the extra calories. Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Asda, Ocado and Amazon sell red wine stock pots if that helps. Thanks for you question and hope you enjoy the recipe!

    Reply

    MargaretMonday 23rd January 2023

    I made the stock with a little bottle of red wine (instead of water) in a milk pan. I used two beef stock pots and a herb one.

    Reply

      HollyTuesday 31st January 2023

      Hey Margaret, thanks so much for your helpful tip!

Debbie SnowballMonday 31st January 2022

I really don’t like red wine, can I use a different stock pot or is the flavour of the dish as a whole not very wine-y?!

Reply

    HollyTuesday 1st February 2022

    Hey Debbie, You could swap for another stock pot and it will work fine but we think the red wine ones add a full and fruity flavour to the recipe without the alcohol. Hope that helps!

    Reply

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