Irish Beef Stew with Guinness Stout Recipe
This hearty Irish Beef Stew with Guinness Stout combines tender seared beef with a medley of fresh vegetables, slow-cooked to perfection in a rich beef stock and Guinness stout broth. The addition of cornstarch thickens the stew to a comforting, satisfying consistency, making it a perfect dish for cozy dinners and celebrations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 pound stewing beef (London Broil recommended)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon thyme
Vegetables
- 4 or 5 small red potatoes, cut into pieces
- 1 medium red onion, cut into pieces
- 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery ribs, sliced
- 1 large parsnip, peeled and sliced
Liquids and Thickening
- 4 cups beef stock
- 1 bottle Guinness Stout (approximately 12 oz)
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat a medium frying pan over low heat and sear both sides of the stew beef until lightly browned. This enhances the flavor and texture of the meat. Once seared, transfer the beef to the bottom of the crock pot.
- Add Seasonings and Vegetables: Sprinkle the salt, black pepper, and thyme evenly over the beef. Then layer the vegetables on top, starting with the cut red potatoes, followed by carrots, celery, parsnip, and finally the red onion pieces.
- Pour in Liquids and Cook: Pour the beef stock and the entire bottle of Guinness stout over the meat and vegetables, fully submerging the ingredients. Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on the high setting for 3 to 4 hours, or until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Thicken the Stew: After the cooking time, stir in the cornstarch to the stew to thicken the broth. Let it rest in the crock pot for about 20 to 30 minutes, allowing it to thicken properly. If needed, lower the heat to keep the stew warm before serving.
Notes
- Searing the beef before slow cooking seals in juices and enhances flavor.
- Adjust salt and seasoning after cooking to taste.
- The Guinness stout adds a distinct, rich bitterness that balances the sweetness of the root vegetables.
- If a thicker stew is preferred, cornstarch can be adjusted accordingly.
- Can be served with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Keywords: Irish beef stew, Guinness stout stew, slow cooker beef stew, hearty Irish recipe, comfort food, root vegetable stew
