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Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

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.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Seasoning

  • 2 pounds beef stewing meat (trimmed and cut into 23 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