Slow Cooker Lamb au Vin with Mushrooms

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🍷 Slow Cooker Lamb au Vin with Mushrooms, Bacon & Aromatic Herbs

A deep, savory, melt-in-your-mouth lamb stew simmered in red wine, smoky bacon, and herbs — a rustic French classic adapted for the slow cooker.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 6 bone-in lamb pieces (shoulder or shanks)
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 2 cups cremini mushrooms, halved
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups dry red wine (Burgundy or similar)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp flour (optional, for thickening)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1–2 sprigs rosemary
  • Salt & black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (if searing the lamb)

Optional Additions

  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar for depth
  • 1–2 tsp sugar to balance wine acidity
  • Parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Brown the Bacon

  1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crisp.
  2. Transfer bacon to a plate, leaving the drippings in the pan.

2. Sear the Lamb (Optional but Recommended)

  1. Season lamb generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Sear on all sides in the bacon fat (adding olive oil if needed) until browned.
  3. Transfer lamb to the slow cooker.

Tip: Browning deepens flavor but you can skip for a quicker prep.

3. Sauté the Aromatics

  1. In the same pan, sauté onions and carrots for 3–4 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
  3. Stir in tomato paste and flour, cooking until lightly browned.
  4. Deglaze the pan with 1 cup red wine, scraping up brown bits.

Transfer vegetables and liquid to the slow cooker.

4. Build the Stew in the Slow Cooker

Add to the slow cooker:

  • Sautéed vegetables
  • Mushrooms
  • Crisp bacon
  • Lamb pieces

Pour in:

  • Remaining 1 cup red wine
  • Beef broth
  • Bay leaves, thyme, rosemary

5. Slow Cook

Cook on:

  • LOW for 7–9 hours, or
  • HIGH for 4–5 hours

The lamb should be fall-off-the-bone tender.

6. Finishing Touches

  1. Remove bay leaves and herb stems.
  2. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or a splash of balsamic vinegar for brightness.
  3. If you want a thicker sauce, simmer the liquid on the stove for 5–10 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve over:

  • Creamy mashed potatoes
  • Buttered egg noodles
  • Soft polenta
  • Crusty French bread

Garnish with fresh parsley.

Variations

⭐ Winter root version: Add parsnips, turnips, or baby potatoes.
⭐ Mediterranean twist: Add olives, tomatoes, and oregano instead of wine.
⭐ Richer sauce: Add a tablespoon of cold butter at the end.

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