This easy beef and Guinness stew recipe is slow cooked in Guinness and beef broth along with vegetables. The result is tender, juicy pieces of meat so tender you can eat them with a spoon in an aromatic broth of herbs and spices. This is so easy to make and will feed a crowd.
Another use for Guinness
Guinness, that dark rich nectar produced in Ireland since 1759 is not just for drinking. Leave it to the Irish to come up with other uses for their beloved native beverage! Guinness has certainly been around the block. According to their website, in 1909 Sir Douglas Mawson, the Australian geologist/explorer, left some Guinness behind at his base camp. It was later found in 1927. Unclear is whether the person who found it actually drank it. Today Guinness is brewed in about 49 countries and sold in almost 150 countries. Trivia: Where in the world is Guinness as popular as it is in Ireland? Nigeria!
It's a stew that warms the soul. While the weather outside is frightful, your body will feel so delightful while eating a bowl of this rich, and aromatic Irish stew. The good news is that you don't have to go to Ireland, not even to an Irish restaurant to enjoy a steaming bowl of Guinness Beef Stew. By the way, before I go on, I need to tell you that from what I have learned, just about every house in Ireland has their particular recipe. So you really can't ask an Irish person: How do you make Guinness Stew? You will get many an answer.
Guinness Stew taste
I first tried Guinness Stew during a recent trip to Ireland. Now, I am not a beer drinker by any means, especially since I know Guinness has a strong taste. I reminded myself that one of the pleasures of being on vacation is opening one's mind to different experiences, and yes flavors too. So, I tried Guinness Stew. I loved it! The rich taste of the broth was perfect; it did not taste like beer. As I took the first bite I thought of how good a bowl of Guinness Stew would taste during the long cold winter months of the northeast where I live.
I've worked hard to come up with my own version of the Guinness recipe. In my humble opinion it is pretty close to what I had in Ireland minus the cozy pub atmosphere. Now I need to find a true Irishman to see if it passes the litmus test. Like all stews, Guinness Stew is Irish comfort food: tender, juicy pieces of meat flavored with spices and cooked slowly to bring out a host of flavors.
The aroma that fills your house will make your mouth water. All good things take time! This wonderful smell takes me back to Galway and the great pubs and restaurants with traditional Irish food. Although I will confess that I can't help myself and have to try it, at least the broth by mopping it up with a piece of Irish soda bread. We all have our weaknesses, right? I am currently drooling! I need to go get myself a bowl of stew!
Step by step photos
- Gather your ingredients: beef, olive oil, Guinness, beef broth, carrots, potatoes, onion, garlic, celery, bay leaves, brown sugar, kosher salt, flour, thyme and caraway.
- On medium heat sauté the onions, garlic and celery in the olive oil.
- Add the beef and sprinkle with flour.
- Add the kosher salt, thyme and caraway then stir around to combine for about 3 minutes until well integrated.
- Pour in the Guinness.
- Add the bay leaves and brown sugar then turn the heat to medium low.
- Add the beef broth then cover and cook for 1.5 hours.
- While the stew is simmering sauté the potatoes and carrots in olive oil until the potatoes are golden brown. After the stew has cooked for 1 hour add the potatoes and carrots. Simmer until the potatoes are just tender and the stew is done. I like to use waxy potatoes as those hold up well in the stew and don't get mushy.
* For a paleo diet friendly option, omit the Irish soda bread.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How long can I save the stew? Completely cool the stew and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Can I freeze this stew? No, since this soup contains whole pieces of potato they will get very mushy once thawed. If you want to remove the potatoes and freeze without them you can store in airtight containers for up to one month. For single servings, freeze portions in a muffin tin and pop out the frozen rounds and store in freezer bags. You can add in some cooked potato chunks after the stew is reheated.
If you love hearty stew dishes with an ethnic flair here are a couple more to try. You can bookmark them for later or pin on Pinterest. Vietnamese bo sot vang is a beef stew that has amazing and exotic flavors but is very simple to make in your slow cooker. Another great winter dish is the classic French cassoulet made with pork shoulder, bacon, sausage and beans. Another great Irish dish to try for Saint Patrick's Day is Dublin coddle with tasty Irish bangers and vegetables. If you are interested in some warm drinks on a cold Saint Patrick's Day you have to try traditional Irish coffee or a warm and creamy scailtin Irish milk punch.
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Guinness Beef Stew Recipe
Hearty and delicious Irish beef stew with Guinness stout will warm you up on a cold winter night. This is one of my favorite dishes to serve for Saint Patrick's Day. This is very easy to make in your Dutch oven.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs. beef stew meat cut into 1" cubes
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 14.5 oz. Guinness paleo diet: beef stock
- 1 cup beef broth
- 4 carrots peeled and sliced thin
- 8 potatoes small baby potatoes, cut in ½ or small cubed pieces, paleo diet: use another root vegetable
- 1 onion large, sliced thin
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 stalk celery minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 ½ tsp Kosher salt paleo diet: sea salt
- 2 Tbsp flour paleo diet: cornstarch, reduce amount by half
- ½ Tbsp thyme dried
- ¼ tsp. caraway ground
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, on medium heat, sauté onions, garlic and celery in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until onions are translucent. Add the beef and sprinkle with flour.
- Add Kosher salt, thyme and caraway. Stir for about 3 minutes. Add the Guinness and bring to a boil. Allow to boil for about 2 minutes. Add beef broth, bay leaves and brown sugar. Turn heat down to medium low.
- Cover and cook for 1 ½ hours.
- In a non-stick skillet, using the remaining tablespoon of olive oil sauté potatoes and carrots, until potatoes are golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
After the stew has cooked for 1 hour, place potatoes and carrots in the stew pot and finish cooking. Simmer until the potatoes are just tender and then the stew is done.
- Serve with plenty of Irish soda bread.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How long can I save the stew? Completely cool the stew and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Can I freeze this stew? No, since this soup contains whole pieces of potato they will get very mushy once thawed. If you want to remove the potatoes and freeze without them you can store in airtight containers for up to one month. For single servings, freeze portions in a muffin tin and pop out the frozen rounds and store in freezer bags. You can add in some cooked potato chunks after the stew is reheated.
WholeYum
Sounds and looks good!
Analida
Thanks, it is indeed yummy!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom
Analida--this is a great recipe for St. Patrick's day and for my family. My husband loves stew and Guiness!
Analida
Awesome!!! Now you know what you are making for St. Patrick's day. I am making it too! 🙂
Denise Wright
Guiness is full of flavor. I can see where this would be fantastic. I bet my hubby would love this!
Analida
I bet he would love it. It is a guy dish I think.
Cathy
My mouth is watering! There is a local pub by us that makes this, and it looks just like this! Delicious!!! Pinned!!
Cathy
Analida
Thanks Cathy!!! This is one of my favorite winter meals.
Jade @ Jonesin' For Taste
I had a Guinness Stew at a restaurant and loved it! They also had a Guinness based brown gravy I've been wanting to make too that they paired with meatloaf and potatoes. So good!
Analida
That sounds awesome Jade! I am going to have to give it a try at home!!!
🙂
Marissa @ OMGfood
Ohhh, I imagine having this stew in Ireland must have been amaaaaazing! My mouth is watering. This is a great recipe, especially for the cold weather in Boston we're having today!
Analida
Thanks Marissa! Yes, it is so comforting on a cold day. I need to make it again soon!!!
Sarah
That looks delicious! I love your photo
Analida
Thanks Sarah!!!
Shirley Wood
What a wonderful recipe with so much flavor! I'm glad you shared with us at Merry Monday!
Analida
Oh, you are welcome!!!
Mary H.
Made this tonight and we loved it! Such a rich delicious broth on the stew, such tender meat after the long simmer. Can I give this 10 stars? Fantastic!!
Analida
Hi Mary! You are so kind. I am glad you liked it. My mother-in-law makes this stew all the time from my recipe. 🙂 She invites us over when she makes it. Thanks for all the stars. 🙂
Gloria
Perfect for St. Patrick's Day dinner. I can't even remember the last time I had a stew like this. I do remember it was delicious.
Analida
This is a family favorite all winter long! Enjoy!
Aleta
YUMMM!! Please pass the spoon! This stew looks incredible, what a great idea to use Guinness! I'll be making this for sure this week!
Analida
I love to cook with Guinness and my husband is willing to keep a few pints on hand too! Slainté!
Elaine Benoit
This Guinness beef stew looks so hearty and delicious! I love a good beef stew and I had something in Dublin that reminds me of this. I can't wait to make this to see if it's as scrumptious as it looks!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
I have always wanted to try to cook with Guiness. This stew looks like the perfect way to start. I love that you put step-by-step photos 🙂
Danielle Wolter
i don't drink anymore, but i love the deep rich flavor that Guinness adds to soups and stews. this is such a heartwarming recipe!
Denise
This looks like an incredible meal. The Guinness has to add a really good flavor to this stew.
Sharon
This beef stew looks so good. The perfect meal to eat while waiting out the last bits of winter.
Kylie | Midwest Foodie
What a perfect St. Patty's day recipe!! Guiness is one of my favorites and I can only imagine the depth of flavor that it adds to this dish - yum!!
Leslie Kiszka
I love a good stew, but especially one like this for the St. Patrick's Day holiday. I'm not Irish, but this sure makes me feel like I am!
Nicole
This looks thick and hearty! I never made pot roast with Guinness Beer. Looks flavorful.
Deseree
I didn’t get a chance to make this yesterday, but I’ll be making it this Sunday. Pot roasts and Sundays are the perfect combination.
Jacquelyn Hastert
I have never cooked with Guinness, but it has me thinking it would be delicious. I am going to save this recipe for later this month.
Meg
I’ve made this quite a few times already, it’s beyond delicious. I normally tweak recipes because they aren’t flavorful enough but that’s not needed with this one. The flavors are perfect. I do add more carrots and celery though but that’s because it’s just so good! I’ll be making this again soon for a dinner party. Spreading the delicious flavors with friends. Thank you for the recipe!!!
Analida
Thanks so much Meg! This is a favorite of many of my family and friends! Enjoy!