Satisfy Your Hunger Cravings with Beef Guinness Irish Stew!
There’s nothing quite like a hearty, warm bowl of beef stew on a cold evening. And when that stew is made with the addition of Ireland’s favorite stout beer, Guiness, it takes on a whole new level of depth and flavor.
If you’re tired of the same old beef stew recipe, then you’ll definitely want to give this Beef and Guinness Irish Stew a try. It’s an iconic dish that not only satisfies your craving for comfort food but also gives your taste buds a delightful surprise.
With tender beef chunks, carrots, celery, and potatoes slow-cooked in dark beer until everything becomes fall-apart tender, you’ll find it hard to resist this flavorful and aromatic Irish beef stew.
So let’s get in the kitchen together and make this classic Irish recipe come alive. With this recipe, you’ll nail it every time and impress your family or guests with the heartiness of traditional Irish cuisine.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Listen up, folks, if you’re looking for a hearty and flavorful meal that’ll warm you up from the inside out, then this Beef and Guinness Irish Stew recipe is exactly what you need. Do you want to know why? It’s because this stew recipe is simply superb!
Firstly, let’s talk about the sheer deliciousness of this stew. The beef chuck cooks low and slow until it’s tender and flavorful enough to make your taste buds sing. Plus, with the addition of the bacon – oh my god – it adds a depth of flavor that can only be described as heavenly. Not to mention, the combination of tender cooked vegetables such as celery, carrots, and onions alongside fresh thyme elevates the taste to new heights.
But wait, there’s more! The dark beer in this recipe adds an incredible richness and depth to the overall flavor that is hard to resist. It enhances the savory base with its bold bitter notes plus a subtle sweetness from adding in some white sugar. The tomato paste adds a touch of acidity and thickens up the sauce to make it more robust.
And do I need to mention the potatoes? Soft chunks of perfectly cooked potatoes are soaked in all that meaty goodness, giving the dish a sublime texture that many other stews lack. This stew is so good; you’ll want to serve it on top of creamy mashed potatoes! Trust me; your taste buds won’t regret it!
Lastly, let’s not forget how easy this recipe is to make. With just a handful of ingredients, most of which are likely sitting in your pantry or fridge right now, all you need to do is sear the beef; add all remaining ingredients then simmer it for two hours while you go about your business.
In conclusion, this Beef and Guinness Irish Stew Recipe has everything going for it – outstanding flavor, excellent texture, and easy preparation. If that isn’t enough for you to fall in love with it, then I don’t know what will. Believe me, your entire family will be asking for this recipe after trying it for the first time. So grab your ingredients, clear your schedule and get cooking a traditional Irish stew with a twist today. I promise you won’t regret it!
Ingredient List
Before we start with the recipe, let’s go over the ingredient list. Here are the ingredients you will need to create the perfect beef and Guinness Irish stew:
Stew Ingredients:
- 2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 6 slices bacon, thick-cut
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp kosher salt, divided
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups dark beer (like Guinness)
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp white sugar
- 3 celery stalks, cut into chunks
- 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
Note: These ingredient measurements are based on US customary measurement system. If you’re using metric measurements, please refer to the metric measures on your measuring cups.
Optional: Some variations include lamb shoulder instead of beef chuck for a twist on the traditional Irish stew. Mashed potatoes is a recommended pairing with this hearty dish.
The Recipe How-To
Now, let’s dig in and get our hands dirty. My Guinness beef stew recipe is simple but full of flavor that will bring your taste buds to life. To get started, preheat your oven to 325°F.
Step 1: Sizzling the Bacon
Begin by sizzling 4 slices of thick-cut bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the bacon becomes crispy and browned, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside for now.
Step 2: Prep the Beef and Onions
In the same Dutch oven, add 2 pounds of boneless beef chuck cut into 2-inch pieces over medium-high heat. Season the beef with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, tossing occasionally until nicely browned on all sides. Once done, remove the beef from the pot and set it aside for later.
Now it is time to add some onion essentials. Add 2 chopped yellow onions to the same pot, scraping up any leftover bits from cooking the beef with a wooden spatula. Cook until golden brown in color, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Flavor with Vegetables and Garlic Cloves
To add more flavor and depth to your Irish beef guinness sauce, add in 4 minced garlic cloves, stirring for another 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
Next, toss in 4 sliced carrots, 4 sliced celery sticks, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves for a pop of freshness. Remember to stir them well with onions and garlic cloves!
Step 4: Add Liquids
This is where things get interesting. Add back in your browned beef along with any juice that may have come out during resting in the plate into the pot. Pour in all of your liquids: 1 pint (16 ounces) Guinness beer, 2 tbsp tomato paste, and 3 cups beef stock.
Step 5: Bake in the Oven
Now put your pot into the oven with the lid on and bake for approximately 3 hours until the beef is tender and flavors have come together beautifully.
Step 6: Serve
Once the cooking process is completed, use a wooden spatula to gently stir everything together. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with a side of mashed potatoes or any traditional Irish side dish of your choosing.
Any leftover Guinness beef stew could be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or in the freezer for later consumption.
Substitutions and Variations
As a chef, I know that sometimes it can be challenging to find all the ingredients for a recipe, or you might want to switch things up a bit. Here are some substitutions and variations for the Beef and Guinness Irish Stew Recipe to create your own personal twist:
– Vegetarian Option: Replace the beef with savoy cabbage and potatoes to make it a vegetarian stew.
– Lamb Option: Substitute the chuck beef with lamb shoulder for a traditional Irish lamb stew.
– Slow Cooker Beef and Guinness Stew: Use a slow cooker instead of a Dutch oven by following the same recipe instructions, but cooking on low for 7-8 hours.
– Beer Option: If you’re not a big fan of Guinness or want to try something different, you can substitute it with any dark beer like red wine or ale stew.
– Bacon: Thick cut bacon adds extra flavor and texture to the stew but could be easily substituted with pancetta, ham hock or smoked turkey legs.
– Potatoes Alternative: Swap potatoes for other root vegetables like parsnips, turnips or sweet potatoes.
These alternatives will enhance the flavors, textures and nutrition of your beef stew recipe. Remember that changing any key ingredient of a recipe may modify its taste and character. When substituting an ingredient in this recipe or any other, keep in mind that it can take some trial and error to get the exact right balance you’re looking for, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
Serving and Pairing
Now that you have cooked up a hearty and comforting bowl of Guinness beef stew, let’s talk about how to serve and pair it. This rich and flavorful stew is the perfect meal to warm you up on a cold winter day, so be sure to serve it piping hot.
Traditionally, this Irish beef Guinness stew is served with a generous serving of mashed potatoes, which helps to soak up all the delicious flavors of the stew. You could also serve it with some crusty bread or even some roasted vegetables.
If you’re looking for a drink to pair with this dish, why not try a pint of Guinness? The deep, malty flavor of the beer complements the richness of the stew perfectly. Alternatively, if you prefer wine, a bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah would also work well.
This stew is also great for leftovers, so don’t hesitate to pack it away in the fridge for later. It reheats beautifully and can be enjoyed for several days after cooking.
Whether you are enjoying this Guinness beef stew on a cozy night in or serving it up at a dinner party, you can be sure that it will be a crowd-pleaser. So go ahead and indulge in some slow-cooked comfort food – your taste buds will thank you!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Ah, yes. The age-old question: what do you do with your leftover stew? Why not save yourself the trouble and plan ahead? You can easily make this stew ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer for later.
To make this stew ahead of time, simply follow the recipe steps up until the point of simmering, then transfer the stew to a storage container and place in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to reheat, gently thaw in the fridge (if applicable), and reheat on low heat on the stove. This will ensure your stew doesn’t lose its tender texture.
If you don’t have access to a stove-top or would prefer not to use it, you could also reheat this stew in a slow cooker, which will keep it from drying out. Simply place your thawed or fully-cooked stew into a slow cooker and cook on low heat until heated through.
Now let’s talk about leftovers. If you’ve got some leftover beef and Guinness Irish stew that you’re unsure of what to do with, consider storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You could then reheat it on low heat on the stove-top, or even use it as filling for pies – yum!
So there you have it – whether you want to make-ahead or reuse leftovers, this beef and Guinness Irish stew is versatile enough to cater to all your needs!
Tips for Perfect Results
Making a beef and Guinness Irish stew may seem like a daunting task. However, fear not my friends, because I’ve got some tips to ensure that your stew comes out perfectly every time.
1. Brown the Beef for Maximum Flavor
Browning the beef before adding it to the stew is a crucial step in attaining maximum flavor. Make sure to pat the beef chunks dry with paper towels before seasoning them with salt and pepper. When browning, do it in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming instead of browning. You can also deglaze the pot after each batch with water or broth to create a flavorful base for the stew.
2. Use Fresh Thyme
While dried thyme may seem like an adequate substitute for fresh thyme, it’s not! Fresh thyme will add even more depth of flavor to your dish while also providing visual appeal in that little pop of green.
3. Experiment with Additional Vegetables
While this recipe traditionally includes onions, carrots, and celery, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t add other vegetables as well. Consider adding chopped turnips, parsnips, or even potatoes (in addition to those already specified). They’re all incredible excellent additions to this dish and will give it a unique twist.
4. Incorporate Bacon
Adding bacon is one surefire way to take the flavor of your Irish beef stew to another level; besides, bacon makes everything better! Be sure to use thick-cut bacon and cook it until crispy before adding it into your stew.
5. Cook Your Stew Slowly
Cooking this stew low and slow is essential not only for tenderizing the meat but infusing all those flavors together in a cohesive way. The longer you let it cook, the richer and more delicious this dish becomes.
Follow these tips, make some mashed potatoes on the side or serve with crusty bread for an authentic Irish meal that’ll bring you some much-needed comfort on a chilly day.
FAQ
As we near the end of this article, some of you may have burning questions about this Beef and Guinness Irish Stew Recipe. And that’s okay because I’m here to help. In this section, I’ll tackle some frequently asked questions to make sure you get this recipe right on the first try. Trust me; a few tweaks here and there can make all the difference between an average stew and an exceptional one. Let’s dive in!
What is the difference between Irish stew and beef stew?
The distinction between a beef stew and an Irish stew lies in their broth and meat selection. The former uses diced beef, often sourced from a stew meat or chuck roast, while the latter typically features mutton or lamb and a hearty, condensed broth infused with beer.
What are the ingredients in Guinness stew?
When it comes to creating a delicious British dish, there are several essential ingredients that should not be overlooked. Garlic and onion are a must-have for adding depth of flavour, while bacon can really take things to the next level. To give the dish some texture and variety, carrot and celery are great to throw in. If you’re looking to bulk up the dish, potatoes also make a good option. A combination of flour and tomato paste can be added to both thicken the sauce and add further interest to the overall flavour profile. Finally, to tie everything together, adding Guinness Beer and a good quality broth or liquid stock is essential for achieving that rich, savoury taste that British cuisine is famous for.
Why is my beef and Guinness stew bitter?
When cooking Guinness stew, some may find it to be bitter due to the inherent bitterness in stouts. To counterbalance this, it is recommended to add a small amount of brown sugar to the dish, which will bring a sweet note to the overall flavor. If the stew remains too bitter for personal preference, you can increase the amount of sugar to further enhance the sweetness.
What cut of beef is best for Irish stew?
When making a hearty stew, it is essential to choose the right cut of beef for your recipe. Chuck steak, also known as braising steak or gravy beef, is a commonly used option that comes from the forequarter of the animal. This part of the beef consists of the neck, shoulder blade, and upper arm, and is both readily available and cost-effective, making it an ideal choice for stew-making.
Bottom Line
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In conclusion, this Beef and Guinness Irish Stew recipe is an absolute must-try for anyone who loves a rustic and hearty meal. With its rich blend of ingredients, it’s perfect for a cozy night in or a gathering with friends and family.
The tender chunks of beef chuck, savory bacon, and fresh vegetables all come together beautifully, especially when slow-cooked with the bitter-sweetness of Guinness beer. And the flavor only gets better over time!
So go ahead, grab your dutch oven or your slow cooker and give this Irish stew recipe a try! It’s easy to make, versatile, and comforting. Whether you’re serving it with mashed potatoes, crusty bread or a side salad – this stew is sure to impress.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can substitute the beef chuck for lamb shoulder or add some red wine for an even heartier flavor. The possibilities are endless!
Finally, let me leave you with one last thought: a great stew is not just about the ingredients, it’s also about the love and care that goes into making it. So take your time, enjoy the process and remember to savor every spoonful.
Happy cooking!
Beef and Guiness Irish Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
- 2 1/2 lbs boneless beef chuck, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt (or more)
- fresh ground black pepper
- 2 onions, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can dark beer (such as Guinnessà )
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 3 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
Instructions
- 1.Cook and stir bacon in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until bacon is browned and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn off heat and transfer bacon into a large stew pot, reserving bacon fat in the skillet.
- 2.Season beef chuck cubes generously with 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste. Turn heat to high under skillet and sear beef pieces in the hot fat on both sides until browned, about 5 minutes. Place beef in stew pot with bacon, leaving fat in skillet. Turn heat down to medium; cook and stir onions in the retained fat in the skillet until lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes; season with a large pinch of salt.
- 3.Cook garlic with onions until soft, about 1 minute; pour beer into skillet and stir with a wooden spoon, scraping up and dissolving any browned bits of food into the liquid. Pour cooking liquid from skillet into the stew pot. Stir in tomato paste, thyme sprigs, carrots, celery, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and enough chicken broth to cover.
- 4.Bring stew to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine; reduce heat to low and cover pot. Simmer stew until beef is fork-tender, about 2 hours. Stir stew occasionally and skim fat or foam if desired.
- 5.Remove cover and raise heat to medium-high. Bring stew to a low boil and cook until stew has slightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and discard thyme sprigs and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- 6.Arrange mashed potatoes in a ring in a serving bowl; ladle stew into the center of the potatoes.
Nutrition
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Brian is a British chef cum food blogger who has been in the kitchen since he was a young lad. Growing up in Manchester, he developed a passion for cooking and a keen eye for the perfect dish. He now runs his own blog and YouTube channel, which is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.