Guinness Beef Stew

Originally published December 16, 2014. Updated March 9, 2019 by Analida

Easy Guinness beef 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.

Not just for drinking

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!

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 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.

Even if you don’t like beer

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.

Onto creating my own version

I’ve worked hard to come up with my own version. 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!

Here is how to make a great Guinness beef stew step by step:

Step 1:  Gather your ingredients: beef, olive oil, Guinness, beef broth, carrots, potatoes, onion, garlic, celery, bay leaves, brown sugar, kosher salt, flour, thyme and caraway.
Step 2: On medium heat sauté the onions, garlic and celery in the olive oil.
Step 3: Add the beef and sprinkle with flour. 
Step 4: Add the kosher salt, thyme and caraway then stir around to combine for about 3 minutes until well integrated.
Step 5: Pour in the Guinness.
Step 6: Add the bay leaves and brown sugar then turn the heat to medium low.
Step 7: Add the beef broth then cover and cook for  1.5 hours.
Step 8: 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.

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.

5 from 12 votes

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Guinness Beef Stew

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. 

Course Main dish

Cuisine Irish

Keyword beef stew, Saint Patrick's Day food, slow cook

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time 2 hours

Servings: Change to adjust-> 6 servings

Calories 576 kcal

Author Analida

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 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 1/2 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 1/2 tsp Kosher salt paleo diet: sea salt
• 2 Tbsp flour paleo diet: cornstarch, reduce amount by half
• 1/2 Tbsp thyme dried
• 1/4 tsp. caraway ground

Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours.
4. 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.

5. 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. 

6. Serve with plenty of Irish soda bread.

Nutrition Facts

Guinness Beef Stew

Amount Per Serving

Calories 576 Calories from Fat 270

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 30g 46%

Saturated Fat 9g 45%

Cholesterol 80mg 27%

Sodium 868mg 36%

Potassium 1648mg 47%

Total Carbohydrates 44g 15%

Dietary Fiber 8g 32%

Sugars 2g

Protein 28g 56%

Vitamin A 137%

Vitamin C 43.9%

Calcium 12.8%

Iron 66%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.