Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew is a rich and comforting dish perfect for chilly days. Tender beef, hearty vegetables, and the deep flavor of Guinness beer come together to create a satisfying meal with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stewing meat (trimmed and cut into 2-3 inch cubes)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 medium onion (peeled and diced)
• 1 small onion (cut into quarters)
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)
• 4 cloves garlic (whole)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3 cups Guinness Beer
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 bunch of fresh rosemary
• 3 medium carrots (peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds)
• 1 cup celery (diced)
• 1 pound mini red potatoes (peeled and cut into halves)
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper, then toss them in the flour until evenly coated.
2. Step 2: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the beef in batches, making sure each piece is golden on all sides. Set the browned meat aside.
3. Step 3: Pour a small amount of beef broth into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom to deglaze the pan. Set aside.
4. Step 4: Add butter to the skillet and sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until softened and fragrant.
5. Step 5: Transfer the browned meat, sautéed onions and garlic, whole garlic cloves, quartered onion, carrots, celery, red potatoes, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, rosemary, beef broth, Guinness beer, and deglazing liquid into the slow cooker.
6. Step 6: Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for about 4 hours or on LOW for about 8 hours, until the beef is tender and the flavors meld.
7. Step 7: Remove the bay leaves and rosemary stems. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving warm.

Tips & Variations

• For a thicker stew, mix a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch with cold water and stir into the stew about 30 minutes before it finishes cooking.
• Swap out the mini red potatoes for Yukon gold or baby potatoes for a slightly different texture.
• If you prefer a milder beer flavor, use a dark ale or stout with less bitterness.
• Add mushrooms or peas in the last hour of cooking for extra veggies.

Storage

Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through. This stew also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of beer?

Yes, while Guinness adds a distinctive richness, you can substitute with other dark beers like stouts or porters. Avoid light or hoppy beers which may alter the flavor unpredictably.

How do I thicken the stew if it’s too thin?

Mix a small amount of flour or cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry, then stir it into the stew during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking. This will help thicken the sauce nicely.

Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 102 reviews

Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring tender chunks of beef stewing meat simmered slowly with Guinness beer, aromatic herbs, and fresh vegetables. This comforting stew combines the richness of Guinness and beef broth with the sweetness of carrots, celery, and potatoes, making it perfect for a cozy meal.

• Author: Zane
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Stew
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Irish

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Seasoning

• 2 pounds beef stewing meat, trimmed and cut into 2–3 inch cubes
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cooking Fats

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons butter

Liquids and Sauces

• 2 cups beef broth
• 3 cups Guinness Beer
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Vegetables and Herbs

• 1 medium onion, peeled and diced
• 1 small onion, cut into quarters
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, whole
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 bunch fresh rosemary
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1 pound mini red potatoes, peeled and cut into halves

Garnish

• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Season the meat: Season the beef stewing meat with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss the meat with the all-purpose flour until evenly coated, which will help thicken the stew later.
2. Sear the meat: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, brown the beef cubes in batches to ensure they get a golden crust without overcrowding the pan. Remove and set aside browned meat.
3. Deglaze the skillet: Pour a small amount of beef broth into the hot skillet and scrape up all browned bits stuck to the bottom; these add rich flavor to your stew.
4. Sauté aromatics: Add butter to the same skillet. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
5. Combine in slow cooker: Transfer the seared meat, sautéed onions and garlic, whole garlic cloves, quartered onion, beef broth, Guinness beer, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, fresh rosemary bunch, carrots, celery, and mini red potatoes into the slow cooker.
6. Cook the stew: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on HIGH for about 4 hours or on LOW for about 8 hours until the beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
7. Serve: Remove the bay leaves and rosemary sprigs. Garnish the stew with fresh parsley. Serve warm and enjoy the rich, hearty flavors.

Notes

• For a thicker stew, mix an additional tablespoon of flour with cold water to create a slurry and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Make sure to brown the meat well; this step adds depth to the stew’s flavor.
• Guinness beer is essential for the signature flavor; substitute with another dark stout if necessary, but taste will vary.
• The stew can be made a day ahead; flavors deepen when refrigerated overnight.
• Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Keywords: Guinness beef stew, slow cooker stew, Irish beef stew, hearty beef stew, Guinness recipe