So hearty Irish inspired beef stew is loaded with tender beef, vegetables and stout and is easy to prepare in the slow cooker. Make it for St. Patrick’s Day or when you need to warm up with a bowl of cold comfort food.
Adapted by Jessica Beacom and Stacie Hassing | The Real Dining Table | Simon Element 2022
Our version of this classic dish is rich and flavorful thanks to stout, beef broth and slow cooking. The stew is loaded with tender chunks of beef and vegetables just waiting to be served over fluffy garlic mashed potatoes — the ultimate heartwarming, budget-friendly comfort food.–Jessica Beacom and Stacie Hassing
Why our testers loved this
There’s a whole host of reasons why our recipe testers devoured this Irish beef stew in the crock pot. They loved that Convenience of preparation in the slow cooker and were excited “incredibly tender beef” And “very aromatic sauce.” Tina Head loved it “Inexpensive comfort food” and was extremely pleased that it was a “really versatile recipe.”
Leah Lemoine’s husband called it “better than the Guinness stew at his favorite pub!”
Notes on ingredients
- Beef Meatloaf-Look for a roast that is marbled throughout. It may be referred to as a blade roast, blade chuck roast, or blade pot roast. If you prefer a richer stew, you can also substitute boneless short beef short ribs, as one of our testers did.
- strong beer-To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free beer. If you’re avoiding alcohol, you can also substitute 2 cups of beef broth.
- carrots and celery–If you would like to increase the vegetable content of the stew, feel free to add extra carrots and/or celery.
How to make this recipe
- Season the beef with salt and pepper. Fry the beef in batches in oil and place in the slow cooker.
- Sauté onion in oil and 1/2 cup beef broth until tender. Add the garlic and sauté briefly. Mix the onion and garlic into the beef in the slow cooker.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Taste and serve.
Recipe FAQs
I don’t have a slow cooker. Can I do this in the oven?
Yes. Prepare the stew as described in step 6 and mix together in a large casserole. Place in the oven preheated to 100ºC and cook for about 5 hours until the meat is tender.
Can I make this stew in an Instant Pot or Multicooker?
You certainly can, and it even saves you from doing the dishes. Use the sear function on your Instant Pot for steps 1-6, then combine everything in the pot and cook the stew on the slow cooker until the meat is tender, about 8 hours.
How is this different from the traditional Irish stew?
Traditional Irish stew is usually made with lamb or mutton and often includes potatoes. Both types of Irish stew contain other vegetables, such as carrots and onions, and can be flavored with beer, broth, or wine.
Helpful tips
- Don’t overfill your pan when browning the meat. it will be steamed instead of browned. If the meat doesn’t fit into an even layer in 2 servings, divide it into 3 servings and use an additional 2 teaspoons of oil.
- If you prefer a thicker beef stew, whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. When the stew is done cooking, use the sauté function (if using a multi-cooker) or set your slow cooker to high and stir in the cornstarch. Cook until thickened.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- This recipe is suitable for a dairy-free diet. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free stout or substitute beef broth.
More great beef stew recipes
☞ When preparing this recipe or any other dish on LC, consider a reviewA Rating in starsand your best photo in the comments below. I love hearing from you.–David
Irish beef stew from the slow cooker
Packed with tender beef, vegetables and strong ale, this hearty, Irish-inspired beef stew is conveniently prepared in the slow cooker. Prepare for St. Patrick’s Day or to warm up with a bowl of cold-weather food.
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Pat the beef dry with kitchen paper and then season with salt and pepper.
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Place a large skillet or heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, add 2 teaspoons oil and stir to coat. Add half the beef in a single layer and cook until well browned on all sides, about 7 minutes.
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Pour into a 6 liter slow cooker. Repeat the process with 2 more teaspoons of oil in the pan and the remaining beef.
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Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and 1/2 cup beef stock. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon, until the onion softens.
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Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, about 1 minute.
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Transfer the onion and garlic to the slow cooker. Stir in the carrots, celery, beer, tomato paste, bay leaves, thyme, and the remaining 1/2 cup of the broth. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
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Remove bay leaves. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve over garlic mashed potatoes, if desired, and garnish with parsley or thyme if desired.
- sear meat –Don’t overfill your pan when browning the meat. it will be steamed instead of browned. If the meat doesn’t fit into an even layer in 2 servings, divide it into 3 servings and use an additional 2 teaspoons of oil.
- Thicken the stew –If you prefer a thicker beef stew, whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. When the stew is done cooking, use the sauté function (if using a multi-cooker) or set your slow cooker to high and stir in the cornstarch. Cook until thickened.
- Storage-Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Nourishment –This recipe is suitable for a dairy-free diet. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free stout or substitute beef broth.
Portion: 1portionCalories: 411kcal (21%)Carbohydrates: 12G (4%)Protein: 35G (70%)Fat: 24G (37%)Saturated Fatty Acids: 9G (56%)Polyunsaturated fat: 2GMonounsaturated fatty acids: 13Gtrans fats: 1GCholesterol: 117mg (39%)Sodium: 329mg (14%)Potassium: 938mg (27%)Fiber: 2G (8th%)Sugar: 4G (4%)Vitamin A: 7019IU (140%)Vitamin C: 8thmg (10%)Calcium: 62mg (6%)Iron: 4mg (22%)
When you make this recipe, take a picture and tag it with a hashtag #LeitesCulinaria. We would love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook and others Twitter.
Recipe tester reviews
When you make this recipe, take a picture and tag it with a hashtag #LeitesCulinaria. We would love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook and others Twitter.