Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for cozy evenings. Tender beef simmered in rich Guinness beer, combined with fresh vegetables and herbs, creates a comforting meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.

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 stewing meat with salt and pepper, then toss thoroughly with all-purpose flour to coat evenly.
2. Step 2: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meat in batches until golden brown on all sides, then set aside.
3. Step 3: Add a splash of beef broth to the skillet and scrape the bottom to loosen any browned bits for extra flavor.
4. Step 4: Add butter to the same skillet and sauté 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, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Guinness beer, bay leaves, rosemary, carrots, celery, and potatoes to the slow cooker.
6. Step 6: Cover and cook on HIGH for about 4 hours or on LOW for 8 hours, until the meat is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
7. Step 7: Once done, remove bay leaves and rosemary sprigs. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm for a comforting meal.

Tips & Variations

• For extra thickness, stir in a slurry of flour or cornstarch mixed with cold water during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Feel free to add mushrooms or peas for additional flavor and texture.
• If Guinness beer is unavailable, a dark stout or porter beer works well as a substitute.

Storage

Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the 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 cut of beef?

Yes, beef chuck or brisket work well for slow cooking due to their marbling and tenderness when cooked low and slow.

Is it necessary to brown the meat before slow cooking?

While optional, browning the meat adds deeper flavor and color to the stew, enhancing the overall taste.

Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 128 reviews

This Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew is a rich and hearty dish perfect for cozy meals. Tender chunks of beef are seasoned, seared, and slow-cooked in a flavorful broth made with Guinness beer, garlic, onions, and fresh herbs. The addition of carrots, celery, and mini red potatoes creates a comforting one-pot meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Irish

Ingredients

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Beef 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

For Searing and Sautéing

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion (peeled and diced)
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)

Stew Liquid and Flavorings

• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 small onion (cut into quarters)
• 4 cloves garlic (whole)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3 cups Guinness Beer
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 bunch fresh rosemary

Vegetables

• 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 pepper, then toss it thoroughly with the all-purpose flour, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
2. Sear the meat: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. In batches, add the floured beef chunks and brown them until golden on all sides. This process locks in the flavor and adds a rich depth to the stew.
3. Deglaze the skillet: Remove the browned meat and set aside. Pour a little beef broth into the hot skillet and scrape up the browned bits stuck to the bottom to deglaze the pan; these bits add extra flavor to the stew.
4. Sauté aromatics: Add butter to the same skillet and sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until they become soft and fragrant, around 3-5 minutes.
5. Combine in slow cooker: Transfer the seared beef, sautéed onions and garlic, deglazed broth, quartered onion, whole garlic cloves, Worcestershire sauce, Guinness beer, bay leaves, rosemary, carrots, celery, and mini red potatoes into the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
6. Cook the stew: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on HIGH for about 4 hours or on LOW for about 8 hours, until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
7. Serve: Once cooked, remove the bay leaves and rosemary stems. Garnish the stew with fresh parsley and serve warm with crusty bread or your favorite side.

Notes

• For best flavor, brown the meat in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
• You can substitute Guinness beer with another dark stout or a rich beef broth if preferred.
• Adjust salt and pepper seasoning at the end according to taste.
• If the stew is too thick, add a little extra beef broth before serving.
• This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.

Keywords: Guinness beef stew, slow cooker stew, Irish stew, beef stew recipe, slow cooked beef, hearty stew, comfort food