Imagine a dish that transports you straight to the cozy pubs of Ireland, where rich, hearty flavors and tender meat tell a story in every single bite. This Slow Cooker Irish Guinness Beef Stew is not just a meal—it's a culinary journey that transforms humble ingredients into a symphony of taste and tradition. With fall-apart beef, deep Guinness-infused broth, and perfectly cooked vegetables, this recipe promises to become your new go-to comfort food that will have your family begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 8 hrs
Total Time: 8 hrs 20 mins
Cuisine: Iris
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
- 1 cup Guinness beer
- 4 cups beef broth
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 4 potatoes, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the beef chuck cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. This helps create a better sear and enhances the meat's flavor.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of oil. Brown the beef cubes in batches, ensuring each piece develops a deep golden-brown crust. This step adds rich, caramelized flavor to the stew.
- Transfer the browned beef cubes to the slow cooker, leaving the browned bits in the skillet for added depth.
- In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onions and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Deglaze the pan with a splash of Guinness, scraping up any browned bits.
- Add the sautéed onions and garlic to the slow cooker with the beef cubes.
- Add sliced carrots and cubed potatoes to the slow cooker, distributing them evenly around the meat.
- Pour in the Guinness beer and beef broth. Sprinkle dried thyme over the ingredients.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat. Cook for 7-8 hours, allowing the beef to become tender and the flavors to meld together.
- In the last hour of cooking, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Once cooking is complete, the beef should be fork-tender and the vegetables soft. If the stew seems too thin, you can thicken it by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stirring it in.
- Let the stew rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and the sauce to slightly thicken.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley and accompanied by crusty Irish soda bread.
Tips
- Always pat your beef dry before searing to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in flavor.
- Brown the meat in batches to prevent overcrowding, which can steam instead of sear the beef.
- Don't skip deglazing the pan—those browned bits are packed with incredible depth of flavor.
- Choose a chuck roast with good marbling for the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth results.
- Low and slow is the secret to this stew—resist the temptation to rush the cooking process.
- For an even richer flavor, consider using dark, robust Guinness Extra Stout.
- If the stew is too thin at the end, a cornstarch slurry can help achieve your desired consistency.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 110mg
