This Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew is a rich and comforting dish packed with fall-apart tender beef, hearty potatoes, and sweet carrots. The deep, savory broth is infused with Guinness beer, giving it an authentic Irish flavor that makes it perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any cozy night at home.
As an Irish American, I grew up eating Irish beef far more often than corned beef and cabbage. Over the years, I developed a stovetop Irish Guinness Beef Stew, but sometimes, spending hours watching the pot isn’t ideal. That’s where the crockpot comes in letting you “set it and forget it” while still capturing the deep flavors of a traditional Irish brown stew beef.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew
This Irish stew recipe is packed with slow-cooked beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich Guinness broth for deep flavor. The slow cooker makes it easy to prepare, and the beef stew becomes more delicious as it simmers. Whether for St. Patrick’s Day or a cozy dinner, this Irish brown stew beef is a comforting and satisfying meal with minimal effort.
How to Make Flavorful Irish Stew in the Slow Cooker
A slow cooker is great for convenience, but it can sometimes dull flavors. To ensure maximum richness, follow these steps:
1. Brown the Beef
Toss beef chuck with flour, salt, and pepper to coat. The flour helps thicken the stew.
Heat oil in a pan and brown the beef in batches. This step builds flavor.
2. Sauté the Aromatics
In the same pan, sauté onions until golden brown (about 20 minutes).
Stir in tomato paste and garlic for added depth.
3. Deglaze with Guinness
Slowly whisk in beef broth and Guinness beer, scraping up any browned bits (fond) for extra richness.
4. Combine Everything in the Slow Cooker
Add potatoes, carrots, browned beef, and the Guinness mixture to the slow cooker.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the beef is tender.
5. Finish with Fresh Ingredients
Stir in the remaining Guinness and fresh parsley before serving.
How to Thicken Irish Beef Stew
While the flour coating on the beef helps naturally thicken the broth, you may need extra thickening:
Cornstarch Slurry: Mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with equal parts cold water, stir into the stew, and cook for 10-15 minutes.
Mashed Potatoes: Mash a few pieces of potato into the broth for a natural thickener.
What to Serve with Irish Beef Stew
While this stew is a complete meal, pairing it with Irish sides enhances the experience:
Irish Brown Bread: Try this Guinness Brown Bread recipe.
Mashed Potatoes: For extra creaminess.
Green Salad: A fresh contrast to the rich stew.
Sauteed Cabbage or Roasted Asparagus: Classic Irish side dishes.
What Drinks Pair Well with Irish Stew
Guinness Beer: The obvious, classic choice.
Irish Mule: A refreshing whiskey and ginger beer cocktail.
Red Wine: Pairs beautifully with the deep flavors of beef stew.
FAQs
Yes Simply substitute the Guinness beer with extra beef broth and add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or balsamic vinegar to maintain the rich depth of flavor.
Beef Chuck Roast: The best option for tenderness.
Stew Meat: A convenient choice.
Short Ribs or Brisket: Adds extra richness.
Yes This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Store it in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheat on the stovetop or slow cooker.
Absolutely Let the stew cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It keeps well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.
Pair it with crusty bread, Irish soda bread, or roasted vegetables to soak up the flavorful broth.
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Try This Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew Today
If you’re looking for a hearty, comforting meal that practically cooks itself, this Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew is a must-try Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or a cozy dinner, it’s packed with flavor, tenderness, and warmth. Don’t forget to pin this recipe on Pinterest and share your experience in the comments below
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Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring fall-apart tender beef, hearty potatoes, and sweet carrots in a rich Guinness-infused broth. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any cozy dinner night!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup Guinness beer
- 3 large carrots, sliced
- 4 medium potatoes, cubed
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Toss the beef chunks with flour, salt, and pepper to coat evenly.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the beef in batches.
- In the same pan, sauté the onions until golden brown (about 20 minutes).
- Stir in the garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan with beef broth and Guinness beer, scraping up browned bits.
- Transfer the beef, potatoes, carrots, and deglazed liquid to the slow cooker.
- Add Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and thyme.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours until the beef is tender.
- Stir in fresh parsley before serving.
- If a thicker stew is desired, mix cornstarch with cold water and stir into the stew, cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Notes
For extra richness, brown the beef well and use a quality stout like Guinness. Serve with Irish brown bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Irish beef stew, slow cooker, Guinness stew, St. Patrick’s Day recipe