Easy Beef Bourguignon Recipe (UK)

Looking for an easy beef bourguignon recipe in the UK? This rich, comforting French classic is simpler than you think. With tender beef, smoky bacon, and a deep red wine gravy, this version is designed for home cooks using easy-to-find UK ingredients.

Unlike traditional versions, this streamlined, slow-cooker method gives you incredible flavour with minimal fuss, perfect for a cosy weekend dinner or an impressive meal for guests.

Using a slow cooker to gently cook this beef bourguignon recipe really enhances the flavour and the tenderness of the beef. You can prepare the ingredients the night before and then pop it in the slow cooker in the morning. It’ll be ready for you for your evening meal. Just serve it with some crusty bread, and you’ll be in beef bourguignon heaven. For advice on wine, take a look at my post Malbec vs Merlot, to see which one pairs best with this dish.

The Best Easy Beef Bourguignon Recipe (UK-Friendly)

Serves 4

What Is Beef Bourguignon?

Beef bourguignon is a classic French stew made by slow-cooking beef in red wine with vegetables like carrots, onions, and mushrooms.

What makes it different from a standard beef stew? Well the answer is the red wine. It creates a rich, luxurious sauce that’s deeply savoury and slightly sweet.

Ingredients

900g diced beef
2 smoked bacon steaks
200g button mushrooms
1 tbsp oil
750ml red wine
2 cloves of garlic
3 carrots
1 tbsps tomato puree
1 onion

Method

Trim the bacon steaks and dice into bitesized pieces.

Using half the oil, brown the bacon in a saucepan.

Once browned, remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Using the same saucepan, brown the beef and again, remove and set aside.

Add the remaining oil to the same saucepan, and brown the diced onion.

Put the slow cooker on to warm.

Slice the carrots into discs.

Once the slow cooker is warm, add the onions and raw carrots as the bottom layer.

In the saucepan, add the wine, tomato puree and garlic to the remaining juices and cook on a medium temperature for 2 minutes.

Layer the beef and bacon over the carrots and onions. Top with the mushrooms.

Pour over the wine mixture from the saucepan.

Cook on medium/high setting for 6 – 8 hours.

Serve with this beef bourguinon recipe with potatoes or crusty bread. I like crusty bread as it mops up all those rich juices that have been generated from cooking the ingredients in one saucepan first. Bon appetite! While exploring comforting dishes like this classic beef bourguignon, many home cooks also look for bold ingredients to elevate their meals, often searching for hatch green chile near me to add a unique depth of flavour.

More Comforting Dinner Recipes

Here are some of my favourite comfort dinner recipes, just like this one.

Pumpkin and Lamb Stew Recipe

Vegetarian Laksa Recipe

Simple Ragu Recipe

Mexican Soup Recipe

What To Serve With Beef Bourguignon

This dish is all about that sauce, so pair it with something delicious that soaks it up. My favourites include

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Crusty bread
• Pasta or tagliatelle
• Steamed greens

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Tips For The Best Easy Beef Bourguignon

• Use wine you’d actually drink – it makes a big difference
• Brown the beef properly – this builds deep flavour
• Don’t rush it – slow cooking = tender meat
• Make it ahead – it tastes even better the next day

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FAQs – Easy Beef Bourguignon Recipe (UK)

Can I make beef bourguignon without wine?

Yes, you can choose to replace it with extra stock and a splash of balsamic vinegar. The flavour won’t be identical, but still delicious.

What’s the best cut of beef in the UK?

Look for:

• Braising steak
• Chuck steak
• Stewing beef

These cuts break down beautifully when slow-cooked.

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