Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

Introduction

Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew is a hearty, 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 please a crowd.

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 it with the all-purpose flour until evenly coated.
2. Step 2: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meat chunks in batches until golden brown on all sides. Set the browned meat aside.
3. Step 3: Add a little beef broth to the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom to deglaze the pan. This adds extra flavor to the stew.
4. Step 4: Add the butter to the skillet, then sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until softened and fragrant.
5. Step 5: Transfer the browned meat, sautéed onions and garlic, small onion quarters, whole garlic cloves, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Guinness beer, bay leaves, rosemary, carrots, celery, and potatoes into the slow cooker.
6. Step 6: Cover and cook on LOW for about 8 hours or on HIGH for about 4 hours, until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
7. Step 7: Remove the bay leaves and rosemary sprigs. Garnish the stew with fresh parsley before serving warm.

Tips & Variations

• For deeper flavor, sear the meat well and don’t rush the browning process.
• Substitute Guinness with another dark stout or porter if unavailable; this will slightly change the flavor but still provide richness.
• Add mushrooms for extra earthiness and texture.
• Use baby Yukon Gold potatoes instead of red to vary texture and sweetness.
• To thicken the stew, stir in a slurry of flour or cornstarch mixed with cold water near the end of cooking.

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. You can also freeze the stew for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this stew without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can prepare this stew on the stovetop or in a Dutch oven. After browning the meat and sautéing the aromatics, combine all ingredients and simmer gently on low heat for about 2 to 3 hours, until the meat is tender.

What can I serve with Guinness beef stew?

This stew pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or buttered noodles. A simple green salad or steamed greens add freshness to balance the rich flavors.

Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

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4.9 from 108 reviews

A rich and hearty Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew featuring tender beef stewing meat braised slowly in Guinness beer with aromatic herbs and vegetables. Perfect for a comforting meal with deep, savory flavors developed over hours of slow cooking.

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

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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 pepper

Cooking Fats and Liquids

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups beef broth
• 3 cups Guinness Beer
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Aromatics and Vegetables

• 1 medium onion (peeled and diced)
• 1 small onion (cut into quarters)
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)
• 4 cloves garlic (whole)
• 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)

Garnish

• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Season: Season the beef stewing meat evenly with salt and freshly ground pepper, then toss the meat with 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, coating each piece well to aid in browning and thickening the stew later.
2. Sear: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the beef chunks in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan, and brown them on all sides until golden for maximum flavor development. Remove the browned meat and set aside.
3. Deglaze: Pour a small amount of beef broth into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom; these bits carry deep flavor essential for the stew.
4. Sauté: Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the diced onion and minced garlic cloves and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Cook: Transfer the seared beef, sautéed onion and garlic, deglazed bits with added broth, quartered onions, whole garlic cloves, Worcestershire sauce, Guinness beer, bay leaves, rosemary, carrots, celery, and halved mini red potatoes into your slow cooker (crockpot). Stir gently to combine. Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 8 hours, until the beef is tender and the flavors meld beautifully.
6. Serve: When the meat is fork-tender and the stew is thickened and flavorful, remove the bay leaves and rosemary stems. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm for a comforting meal experience.

Notes

• For richer flavor, use Guinness Draught if available.
• Peeling potatoes is optional; leaving skins on adds texture and nutrients.
• Adjust salt to taste at the end of cooking as broth and Worcestershire sauce add saltiness.
• To thicken stew further, remove lid in last 30 minutes to reduce liquid.
• Serving suggestion: pair with crusty bread or creamy mashed potatoes.

Keywords: Guinness Beef Stew, Slow Cooker Stew, Irish Beef Stew, Comfort Food Beef Stew, Crockpot Guinness Stew