Irresistible Slow Cooker Valentine’s Dinner Recipe
A rich and comforting Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon perfect for a romantic Valentine’s dinner. Tender beef chuck slow-cooked in red wine and beef broth with aromatic vegetables and herbs, resulting in a hearty, flavorful stew that melts in your mouth.
- Author: Victoria
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Stew
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Low Fat
Meat
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
Liquids
- 1 cup red wine (Burgundy or Pinot Noir)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups carrots, sliced
- 2 cups mushrooms, quartered
Seasonings & Herbs
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and brown them on all sides for about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
- Sauté onions and garlic: In the same skillet, add chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Transfer the sautéed onions and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Add vegetables and liquids: Add sliced carrots, quartered mushrooms, red wine, beef broth, tomato paste, dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper into the slow cooker. Stir everything together to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow cook the stew: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. The beef should become tender and flavors meld together beautifully.
- Finish and serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Garnish the stew with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread or over creamy mashed potatoes for a perfect Valentine’s dinner.
Notes
- Use a full-bodied red wine like Burgundy or Pinot Noir for the best flavor.
- Browning the beef enhances the stew’s depth and richness.
- For thicker sauce, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to reduce liquid.
- Can be made a day ahead and reheated; flavors improve after resting.
- Serve with crusty bread or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: beef bourguignon, slow cooker beef stew, Valentine’s dinner recipe, easy beef stew, French slow cooker recipes