Slow Cooker Guinness Irish Beef Stew

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a pot of Slow Cooker Guinness Irish Beef Stew, where tender beef, potatoes, and carrots simmer together in a rich, hearty broth of Guinness beer. This comforting stew is perfect for a family dinner, warming everyone up with its robust flavors.

What makes this stew extra special is the Guinness. The stout adds a deep, slightly malty richness that enhances the beef and brings all the flavors together. And don’t worry—it doesn’t taste like beer! Instead, it gives the broth an irresistible depth that makes you want to keep going back for more. A touch of curry powder adds a subtle warmth, making this version of Irish stew just a little different from the traditional kind.

The best part? You can set it and forget it. After a quick sear on the beef, everything goes into the slow cooker to simmer for hours, filling your kitchen with the most incredible aroma. By dinnertime, you’ll have a thick, hearty stew that’s perfect for scooping up with a crusty loaf of bread. Pour yourself a pint, ladle up a bowl, and enjoy a taste of Ireland—no plane ticket required!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich, Deep Flavor: The Guinness stout adds a bold, malty depth to the broth, making every bite incredibly flavorful.
• Fall-Apart Tender Beef: Slow cooking ensures the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender without any extra effort.
• One-Pot Convenience: Aside from a quick sear on the beef, everything cooks in the slow cooker, making cleanup a breeze.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This stew tastes even better the next day, so make a big batch and enjoy leftovers all week.
• Comfort Food at Its Best: With hearty chunks of beef, potatoes, and carrots in a thick, savory broth, this stew is the ultimate cozy meal.
• Great for St. Patrick’s Day (or Any Day!): Whether you’re celebrating or just craving a warm, satisfying dinner, this stew is always a hit.
• Pairs Perfectly with Bread: Serve it with a crusty loaf to soak up all that delicious, Guinness-infused broth.
• Minimal Hands-On Time: After browning the beef, let the slow cooker do the rest of the work while you go about your day.

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps create a light coating on the beef, which gives it a rich, flavorful sear and helps thicken the stew.
• Salt & Black Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the richness of the Guinness and beef.
• Curry Powder: Adds a subtle warmth and depth, giving this stew a unique twist on the classic Irish version.
• Diced Stew Beef or Chuck Roast: Becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender after slow cooking, absorbing all the delicious flavors.
• Vegetable or Canola Oil: Used for browning the beef, which locks in flavor before it simmers in the slow cooker.
• Guinness Stout Beer: The star ingredient that gives the broth a deep, malty richness without making it taste overly like beer.
• Onion: Adds natural sweetness and depth to the stew as it slowly cooks down.
• Carrots: Bring a hint of sweetness and a pop of color while adding to the hearty texture.
• Yukon Gold Potatoes: Hold their shape beautifully while becoming tender and creamy in the stew.
• Beef Broth: Forms the base of the stew, complementing the Guinness and bringing everything together.
• Tomato Paste: Adds a touch of acidity and richness, helping to balance the deep flavors of the broth.
• Minced Garlic: Infuses the stew with a fragrant, savory flavor that enhances the overall depth.
• Onion Powder: Boosts the onion flavor, ensuring every bite is well-seasoned.
• Dried Oregano & Thyme: Classic herbs that add earthy, aromatic notes to round out the stew’s flavor.
• Cornstarch & Water (Optional): Thickens the stew at the end for a more gravy-like consistency if desired.

How to Make Slow Cooker Guinness Irish Beef Stew

• Step One: Whisk together the flour, ½ tsp salt, black pepper, and ½ tsp curry powder in a medium mixing bowl.
• Step Two: Add the diced beef and toss to coat making sure all the beef is coated.

• Step Three: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat until it is hot. Add the beef and cook for 5 minutes, turning the beef so all the sides have been browned. The beef does not need to be cooked all the way through, just browned.
• Step Four: Remove the beef from the skillet. Add ½ cup of the Guinness beer to the pan. Stir it around, scraping the brown bits in the pan. Let it sit and cool while you prepare the slow cooker.

• Step Five: Add the onion, carrots, and potatoes to the slow cooker.
• Step Six: Add the cooked beef and liquid from the skillet to the slow cooker.
• Step Seven: Add the beef broth, tomato paste, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, remaining salt, curry powder and Guinness beer.
• Step Eight: Cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours. The beef will be very tender and veggies soft. Turn off the slow cooker.
• Step Nine: This step is optional. In a glass or small bowl, use a fork to whisk the cornstarch and water together until the cornstarch is dissolved. Pour the mixture into the hot slow cooker. Stir to thicken the stew to give it a more gravy-like sauce.
• Step Ten: Serve hot with chunks of fresh bread.

What to Serve With It

• Crusty Bread: A thick slice of air fryer Irish soda bread or a warm baguette is perfect for soaking up the rich, flavorful broth. You’ll also like this Irish brown bread.
• Mashed Potatoes: If you love extra creamy potatoes, serve the stew over a bed of buttery mashed potatoes for an ultra-comforting meal. Try these Irish potatoes.
• Side Salad: A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette adds a fresh contrast to the hearty stew.
• Cheese & Charcuterie Board: A pre-dinner snack with Irish cheddar, cured meats, and pickles pairs beautifully with a pint of Guinness.

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap the Beer: Not a fan of Guinness? Use another stout or a dark ale for a similar depth of flavor. You can also replace it with more beef broth for an alcohol-free version.
• Use a Different Cut of Beef: Stew beef or chuck roast works best, but brisket or short ribs can also be used for extra richness.
• Adjust the Veggies: Add mushrooms, parsnips, or celery for more variety, or swap Yukon gold potatoes for red or russet potatoes.
• Try Sweet Potatoes: For a slightly sweeter, more nutrient-packed twist, replace some of the Yukon gold potatoes with sweet potatoes.
• Spice It Up: Want a little heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to give the stew a mild kick.
• Make It Thicker: Prefer a thicker gravy? Use the optional cornstarch slurry or mash some of the potatoes directly into the stew.
• Add a Touch of Sweetness: A splash of balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce can balance the richness with a bit of tangy sweetness.

Storage Instructions

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Refrigeration: Let the stew cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will deepen as it sits, making leftovers even better!

Freezing: This stew freezes beautifully! Once cooled, pour it into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags, leaving some room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating:

• Stovetop: Warm the stew in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Add a splash of beef broth or water if it thickened too much in the fridge.
• Microwave: Heat individual portions in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds to ensure even heating.
• Slow Cooker: If reheating a large batch, place the stew in the slow cooker on low for 1-2 hours until warm.

Make-Ahead Tip: This stew is perfect for meal prep! Cook it a day in advance and let it sit in the fridge overnight—the flavors will be even richer the next day.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Brown the Beef First: Don’t skip this step! Searing the beef before adding it to the slow cooker locks in flavor and adds richness to the broth.
• Deglaze the Pan: After browning the beef, use some Guinness to scrape up all those flavorful browned bits from the pan—this adds even more depth to the stew.
• Cut the Veggies Evenly: To ensure even cooking, cut the carrots and potatoes into similar-sized pieces. This prevents some from turning mushy while others stay too firm.
• Don’t Overdo the Salt: The broth and Guinness already add some saltiness, so wait until the end of cooking to adjust the seasoning if needed.
• Use the Right Potatoes: Yukon gold potatoes hold their shape well and have a creamy texture. Avoid russet potatoes, which tend to break down and become grainy.
• Make It Thicker: If you prefer a thicker stew, mash some of the potatoes directly into the broth or add the optional cornstarch slurry at the end.
• Slow Cooker Timing: Cooking on low for 6-8 hours is ideal for tender beef and perfectly cooked veggies. If you’re short on time, cook on high for 4-5 hours, but the texture may not be as rich.
• Let It Rest: Once the stew is done cooking, let it sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
• Double the Batch: This stew freezes well, so consider making a bigger batch to have easy meals ready to go.

Stovetop Instructions

If you don’t have a slow cooker or prefer a quicker method, you can easily make this Guinness Irish Beef Stew on the stovetop. Here’s how:

1. Dredge and Brown the Beef:
   • In a mixing bowl, coat the beef with flour, ½ tsp salt, black pepper, and ½ tsp curry powder.
   • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
   • Add the beef and sear for about 5 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
2. Deglaze the Pot:
   • Pour ½ cup of Guinness into the pot, scraping up the browned bits with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly.
3. Sauté the Aromatics:
   • Add the onion and garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
4. Build the Stew:
   • Return the beef to the pot.
   • Stir in the carrots, potatoes, beef broth, remaining Guinness, tomato paste, onion powder, oregano, thyme, remaining salt, and curry powder.
5. Simmer:
   • Bring the stew to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low.
   • Cover and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the vegetables are soft.
6. Thicken the Stew (Optional):
   • If you want a thicker consistency, mix 1 ½ tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water in a small bowl.
   • Stir it into the stew and let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes until thickened.
7. Serve & Enjoy:
   • Ladle the stew into bowls and serve hot with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.

Stew Recipes

• Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Stew
• Cowboy Stew
• Curried Chicken Stew
• Italian Sausage and Vegetable Stew

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