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Irish Beef Stew Recipe

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4 from 37 reviews

Hearty and deeply flavored Irish Beef Stew with tender beef chuck, potatoes, carrots, and onions slow-simmered in a rich Guinness-infused broth. This traditional Irish comfort meal is perfect for cozy dinners, featuring a beautiful balance of savory beef, aromatic herbs, and robust flavors simmered to perfection.

  • Total Time: 2 hr 15 min
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Beef and Coating

  • 2 lb beef chuck, cubed
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp oil

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 3 potatoes, diced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

Liquids and Seasonings

  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup Guinness beer (optional)
  • 1 tsp thyme

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Beef: Toss the cubed beef chuck with flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. This step helps to thicken the stew later and adds flavor.
  2. Brown the Beef: Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef chunks in batches to avoid overcrowding and brown all sides thoroughly. Once browned, remove the beef and set aside.
  3. Sauté Vegetables and Aromatics: In the same pot, add diced onion and minced garlic and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute to deepen its flavor.
  4. Combine Ingredients: Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and Guinness beer if using. Add thyme, diced potatoes, and chopped carrots. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
  5. Simmer the Stew: Bring the stew to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 2 hours until the beef is tender and the flavors meld together beautifully.
  6. Optional Oven Method: Alternatively, preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). After combining all ingredients in the pot, cover it and place it in the oven for 2 hours to cook slowly and evenly.
  7. Serve: Once the stew is done, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm, ideally accompanied by crusty bread to soak up the rich broth.

Notes

  • Slow-Cooker Option: Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours for tender beef and well-developed flavors.
  • The Guinness beer is optional; if omitted, simply substitute with an equal amount of extra beef broth.
  • This stew freezes well for up to 3 months. Cool completely before freezing in airtight containers.
  • For thickening, if desired, remove lid in the last 30 minutes of cooking to reduce the broth slightly.
  • Use fresh thyme for best flavor; dried thyme can be substituted but reduce quantity to 1/2 tsp.
  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 2 hr
  • Category: Dinner, Stew, Comfort Food
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Irish, European