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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 2 hr
- Category: Dinner, Stew, Comfort Food
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Irish, European