Irish Beef and Guinness Stew Recipe
This hearty Irish Beef and Guinness Stew is a comforting classic featuring tender beef chuck simmered slowly in rich Guinness beer and beef broth, combined with carrots, potatoes, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a cozy meal, this stew delivers deep, robust flavors with a satisfying texture that warms from the inside out.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Irish
Meat
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
Vegetables
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 3 potatoes, diced
Liquids and Broth
- 1 bottle (14.9 oz) Guinness beer
- 4 cups beef broth
Seasonings and Oils
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the beef cubes and cook, turning occasionally, until browned evenly on all sides. Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same pot, add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent and softened, releasing their fragrance and flavor, about 4-5 minutes.
- Cook Vegetables: Stir in the sliced carrots and diced potatoes with the onion and garlic mixture. Cook for a few minutes to slightly soften the vegetables and enhance their flavors.
- Add Tomato Paste: Add the tomato paste to the pot and stir thoroughly to coat the vegetables. Cooking the tomato paste briefly helps to deepen its flavor and integrates it well into the stew.
- Combine Ingredients and Liquids: Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in the Guinness beer and beef broth. Stir in dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to season the stew, distributing all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Stew: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the stew simmer gently for about 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Final Touches: After cooking, remove the bay leaf. Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley for a bright and fresh finish.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use a good quality stout like Guinness as it adds a rich depth to the stew.
- You can substitute beef chuck with stew meat if preferred, but chuck is recommended for its tenderness.
- Allow the stew to rest for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors fully develop.
- This stew pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a filling meal.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to deepen.
Keywords: Irish stew, Guinness stew, beef stew, comfort food, slow simmer, hearty dinner, Irish cuisine