Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe
A hearty and flavorful slow cooker Guinness beef stew, featuring tender chunks of beef braised in rich Guinness beer and beef broth, accented with aromatic herbs and vegetables for a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for cozy dinners.
- 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
Scale
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
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion (peeled and diced)
- 1 small onion (cut into quarters)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4 cloves garlic (whole)
- 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)
Herbs and Garnish
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 bunch of fresh rosemary
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season: Season the beef stewing meat with salt and freshly ground pepper. Toss the meat thoroughly with 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour to coat the pieces evenly, which will help thicken the stew later.
- Sear: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the beef chunks in batches and brown them on all sides until a golden crust forms. This step locks in flavor and enhances the stew’s richness. Remove the browned beef and set aside.
- Deglaze: Pour a small amount of beef broth into the hot skillet to loosen and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the pan. These flavorful bits will intensify the stew’s taste.
- Sauté: Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, sauté the diced medium onion and minced garlic cloves until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared beef, sautéed onions and garlic, deglazed broth, quartered onion, whole garlic cloves, Worcestershire sauce, Guinness beer, bay leaves, fresh rosemary, carrots, celery, and mini red potatoes into the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 8 hours until the beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Serve: Once cooked, remove the bay leaves and rosemary sprigs. Garnish the stew with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For best flavor, brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Removing the bay leaves and rosemary before serving ensures no overpowering herbaceous taste.
- If thicker stew is desired, simmer the liquid separately after cooking to reduce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Keywords: Guinness beef stew, slow cooker stew, Irish beef stew, hearty beef stew, slow cooked beef, comfort food
