Irish Beef Stew

My grandmother's family comes from Ireland, so Irish food has always held a special place in my heart. In 2022, my family and I spent a week traveling through Ireland, and during that trip we found ourselves ordering Irish Beef Stew again and again. Each cozy pub seemed to have its own version, but every bowl brought the same comforting feeling. The rich broth, tender beef, and hearty vegetables made it unforgettable, and it quickly became one of my favorite meals from the trip. So - I had to make my own version!

As the week went on, we made a point to try it wherever we could. After long days of exploring, nothing tasted better than sitting down to a warm bowl of stew. The flavors felt simple yet incredibly satisfying. Every spoonful delivered tender chunks of beef alongside soft potatoes, carrots, and celery that soaked up the savory broth.

Now, I love making this dish at home, especially as St. Patricks Day approaches. It brings back memories of that trip while filling the kitchen with the same comforting aroma we experienced in those Irish pubs. However, you do not need a special occasion to enjoy it. Anytime you crave a warm and hearty meal, this stew delivers.

What makes this version especially classic is the addition of Guinness beer. The stout adds a deep, rich flavor that gives the broth its signature taste while perfectly complementing the beef and vegetables. As everything simmers together, the flavors develop into a thick and satisfying stew that feels both rustic and comforting.

With chunks of stew meat, carrots, celery, and potatoes, this Irish Beef Stew creates a filling meal that truly satisfies. Serve it to family or friends and watch everyone come back for seconds. Whether you make it in honor of St. Patricks Day or simply because you want a cozy dinner, this dish always brings people together around the table!

Ingredients

• Stewing Beef or Chuck Roast
• Olive Oil
• Large Carrots
• Yellow Onion
• Celery Sticks
• All-Purpose Flour
• Canned Diced Tomatos
• Guinness (or Stout Beer)
• Italian Seasoning
• Dijon Mustard or Stone Ground Mustard
• Bay Leaves
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Russet Potatoes
• Kosher Salt
• Pepper to Taste

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

1. Step 1: First, prepare the vegetables. Dice the potatoes, either peeled or unpeeled depending on your preference. Next, dice the onions and chop the carrots and celery into bite sized pieces so they cook evenly in the stew.

2. Step 2: Then place a skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Once the butter melts, add the celery, carrots, and onions. Cook the vegetables while stirring occasionally until they soften and release their aroma. Remove them from the skillet and set them aside.

3. Step 3: Next, use the same skillet to sear the stew meat. Add the meat and cook it on all sides until it develops a rich brown crust. This step builds deep flavor for the stew. Once the meat finishes searing, return the cooked vegetables to the skillet with the beef.

4. Step 4: After that, sprinkle the flour and seasonings over the meat and vegetables. Stir everything together until the flour coats each piece evenly. Continue mixing until the ingredients combine well and the flour fully covers the meat and vegetables.
   

5. Step 5: Then transfer the entire mixture to a large crockpot. Pour in the Guinness beer and add the canned tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and stone ground mustard or dijon mustard. Add the diced potatoes and stir everything together so the ingredients distribute evenly.

6. Step 6: Finally, cover the crockpot and cook the stew on low for 8 to 10 hours. As the stew cooks, the beef becomes tender and the flavors deepen. When the cooking time finishes, give the stew one final stir before serving. Ladle it into bowls and enjoy a warm and hearty meal.

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Slow cooker or crockpot
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Vegetable peeler (optional, for potatoes)

Storage

Allow the Irish Beef Stew to cool slightly before storing. Then transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. The stew will stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days.

When you are ready to enjoy it again, reheat the stew gently on the stovetop over medium low heat or warm it in the microwave in short intervals while stirring in between. If the stew thickens in the refrigerator, add a small splash of broth or water while reheating to loosen the consistency.

For best texture and flavor, do not freeze this stew. The potatoes tend to become grainy after freezing and reheating, which changes the overall texture of the dish.

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📖 Recipe

Irish Beef Stew

Hannah Madsen

A warm and hearty Irish Beef Stew made with tender chunks of stew meat, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions simmered slowly in a rich broth with Guinness beer. This classic comfort meal cooks low and slow in the crockpot, allowing the flavors to deepen while the beef becomes perfectly tender. It is the perfect cozy dinner for St. Patricks Day or anytime you crave a satisfying, home cooked meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Servings 8

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Slow cooker or crockpot
• Cutting Board
• Sharp knife
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Vegetable peeler (optional, for potatoes)

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs Stewing Beef or Chuck Roast cut into cubes
• 4 tablespoon Salted Butter (3 for veggies, 1 for meat)
• 3 Large Carrots chopped
• 2 Yellow Onion medium, diced
• 4 Celery Sticks chopped
• 2 tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
• 1 Canned Diced Tomatos
• 22 ounces Guinness or Stout Beer (1 can)
• 2 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
• 2 tablespoon Stone Ground Mustard or Dijon
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 2 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 3-4 lbs Russet Potatoes cubed into small pieces
• 2 tablespoon Kosher Salt (add extra if you'd like!)
• Pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• First, prepare the vegetables. Dice the potatoes, either peeled or unpeeled depending on your preference. Next, dice the onions and chop the carrots and celery into bite sized pieces so they cook evenly in the stew.
• Then place a skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Once the butter melts, add the celery, carrots, and onions. Cook the vegetables while stirring occasionally until they soften and release their aroma. Remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
• Next, use the same skillet to sear the stew meat. Add the meat and cook it on all sides until it develops a rich brown crust. This step builds deep flavor for the stew. Once the meat finishes searing, return the cooked vegetables to the skillet with the beef.
• After that, sprinkle the flour and seasonings over the meat and vegetables. Stir everything together until the flour coats each piece evenly. Continue mixing until the ingredients combine well and the flour fully covers the meat and vegetables.
• Then transfer the entire mixture to a large crockpot. Pour in the Guinness beer and add the canned tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and stone ground mustard or dijon mustard. Add the diced potatoes and stir everything together so the ingredients distribute evenly.
• Finally, cover the crockpot and cook the stew on low for 8 to 10 hours. As the stew cooks, the beef becomes tender and the flavors deepen. When the cooking time finishes, give the stew one final stir before serving. Ladle it into bowls and enjoy a warm and hearty meal.

Keyword beef, dinner, easy dinners, irish, irish stew, one pot dinner, quick dinners, stew