Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for chilly days. Tender beef, rich Guinness beer, and a medley of vegetables create a flavorful, slow-cooked meal that’s easy to prepare and satisfying to eat.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. beef stew meat (well trimmed)
• 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. pepper
• 1 tsp. dried leaf oregano (not ground)
• 1 tsp. dried leaf thyme (not ground)
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 6 oz. tomato paste
• 15 oz. beef broth
• 3 cups baby red potatoes (quartered)
• 3 cups carrots (sliced)
• 2 cups celery (sliced)
• 1 cup white onion (1 small onion; cut into large pieces)
• 2 tsp. garlic (minced)
• 11.2 oz. Guinness beer (1 bottle, original or extra stout)
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large ziplock bag, combine the flour, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and onion powder.
2. Step 2: Add the beef stew meat to the bag and shake well until the pieces are evenly coated with the flour mixture.
3. Step 3: Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Step 4: Add the coated beef to the skillet and brown on all sides, taking care not to burn the meat.
5. Step 5: Once browned, add the tomato paste and beef broth to the skillet.
6. Step 6: Stir the mixture well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, until a thick sauce forms. Remove from heat and set aside.
7. Step 7: Place the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in the slow cooker.
8. Step 8: Pour the beef and sauce mixture over the vegetables in the slow cooker.
9. Step 9: Stir in the Guinness beer, then add the bay leaves on top.
10. Step 10: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, avoiding opening the lid during cooking.
11. Step 11: Remove the bay leaves before serving.
12. Step 12: Serve the stew warm and enjoy your hearty meal!

Tips & Variations

• For extra depth of flavor, brown the vegetables briefly before adding them to the slow cooker.
• Replace baby red potatoes with Yukon gold for a creamier texture.
• Use stout or a similar dark beer if Guinness is not available.
• Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for a tangy boost.
• Include mushrooms or parsnips for additional vegetable variety.

Storage

Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated 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 cut of beef for this stew?

Yes, chuck roast or beef brisket cut into cubes works well because they become tender when slow-cooked over several hours.

Is it necessary to brown the beef before slow cooking?

Browning adds extra flavor and texture but can be skipped if you’re short on time. The stew will still be delicious but might be less rich in flavor.

Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

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A hearty and flavorful Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew made with tender beef, baby red potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions, slow-cooked in a rich Guinness beer and tomato broth with aromatic herbs for a comforting meal perfect for chilly days.

• Author: Maya
• 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

Beef and Coating

• 2 lbs. beef stew meat (well trimmed)
• 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. pepper
• 1 tsp. dried leaf oregano (not ground)
• 1 tsp. dried leaf thyme (not ground)
• 1 tsp. onion powder

Stew Base

• 6 oz. tomato paste
• 15 oz. beef broth
• 11.2 oz. Guinness beer (1 bottle, original or extra stout)
• 2 bay leaves

Vegetables

• 3 cups baby red potatoes (quartered)
• 3 cups carrots (sliced)
• 2 cups celery (sliced)
• 1 cup white onion (1 small onion, cut into large pieces)
• 2 tsp. garlic (minced)

Instructions

1. Prepare Flour Coating: In a large ziplock bag, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and onion powder. Add the beef stew meat to the bag and shake until each piece is thoroughly coated with the seasoned flour mixture.
2. Brown the Beef: Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the flour-coated beef pieces. Brown the meat on all sides carefully, ensuring it doesn’t burn, to develop a rich flavor base.
3. Add Tomato Paste and Broth: Once the beef is browned, add the tomato paste and beef broth to the skillet. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits, creating a thick sauce. Then remove from heat and set aside.
4. Prepare Vegetables in Slow Cooker: Place the quartered baby red potatoes, sliced carrots, sliced celery, chopped white onion, and minced garlic into the slow cooker, layering them evenly.
5. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Pour the beef and thick sauce mixture over the vegetables in the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine everything evenly.
6. Add Guinness and Bay Leaves: Stir in the bottle of Guinness beer to the slow cooker mixture. Place the bay leaves on top of the stew for added aroma and flavor.
7. Slow Cook the Stew: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the LOW setting for 8 hours. Do not open the lid during the cooking period to maintain temperature and moisture.
8. Finish and Serve: After 8 hours, remove the bay leaves from the stew. Stir gently and serve the rich, tender Guinness beef stew hot. Enjoy!

Notes

• For a thicker stew, you can remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate.
• Use original or extra stout Guinness for a richer flavor; avoid light versions.
• Make sure to trim excess fat from beef to prevent greasiness.
• Do not open slow cooker during cooking time to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor infusion.
• This stew tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to meld.

Keywords: Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew, Irish Beef Stew, Guinness stew, slow cooker recipes, hearty beef stew