• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Kitchen Divas
  • Recipes
  • Resources
    • Kitchen Divas Resources
    • Blogger Resources
  • About
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Work With Us
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Kitchen Divas Resources
  • Blogger Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Main Courses

    Guinness Beef Stew

    Published: Feb 4, 2023 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 2 Comments

    Share93
    Pin270
    Tweet
    Email
    363Shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Warm, cozy, and deliciously hearty, my recipe for Guinness Beef Stew is comfort food at its finest. With instructions for cooking on the stovetop in a Dutch oven or using a slow-cooker, this easy and classic Irish beef stew recipe is perfect for cold weather, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, or anytime you need a hug in a bowl.

    Overhead shot of a bowl of Guinness beef stew in a white, handled bowl with a silver spoon and a blue Dutch oven filled with the rest of the Irish stew to the side.

    You can't get much better than this delicious, traditional beef stew with an Irish twist. Loaded with tender beef, smoky bacon, starchy potatoes, sweet onions and carrots, meaty mushrooms, and malty Guinness stout, this delectable bowl of goodness has everything you could possibly want from a meal.

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love this Recipe
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • Optional Variations
    • How To Make Guinness Beef Stew
    • Storage
    • What to Serve with Guinness Beef Stew
    • Expert Tips
    • Equipment
    • FAQ
    • More Delicious Stew Recipes
    • Guinness Beef Stew

    Why You Will Love this Recipe

    • This is an easy recipe that uses only 12 simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store. Better yet, you only need about 20 minutes' worth of active time to make it!
    • It's a rustic, hearty dish that is perfect for warming you up from the inside out.
    • This Dutch oven beef stew is perfect for meal prep and is 100% freezer-friendly!

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    This hearty beef Guinness stew is full of all our favorite cozy flavors and then some. The major players are below, but you'll find the complete list of ingredients and amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.

    Ingredients needed to make Irish Guinness beef stew measured out into bowls on a white table.
    • Bacon - Feel free to use standard or thick-cut bacon in any flavor (e.g. hickory smoked, apple smoked, Black Forest) that you prefer.
    • Stewing beef - While you can often find stewing beef pre-cut into cubes, feel free to use a large cut of chuck, top sirloin, oxtail, or any of your favorite cuts for making beef stew. If you go this route, consider freezing your meat for about 15-20 minutes before cubing it. The chill makes it easier to handle!
    • Onions - You’re welcome to use red, white, yellow, or sweet onions here. You can also swap in shallots or well-rinsed and thinly sliced leeks. 
    • Mushrooms - I love the deeply umami flavor mushrooms bring to the party. Feel free to use white button, cremini, shiitake, or portobello mushrooms depending on what you can get at the store. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, feel free to omit them! If you do, a glug of Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, or Maggi seasoning does a great job of adding umami.
    • Celery - While celery tastes earthy and almost bland when raw, it adds great sweetness and complexity to the stew. Feel free to peel the outermost ribs if you prefer, but I find that they soften up beautifully during braising.
    • Garlic - Fresh is best, but you can easily swap in an equal amount of jarred minced garlic or about a tablespoon of garlic powder instead.
    • Guinness - While Guinness is our preferred dark beer, feel free to use any stout or porter you prefer. If you don't want to use alcohol, feel free to substitute mushroom, beef or chicken broth, dark, non-alcoholic beer, apple juice or cider, root beer, Dr. Pepper, or Coke instead.
    • Dried Thyme - Feel free to use 3x as much fresh thyme if you prefer!
    • Carrots - Any color (orange, purple, or white) will work here. You’re also welcome to use parsnips instead.
    • Baby potatoes - Thin-skinned, waxy baby new potatoes are perfect for stew because they hold their shape beautifully. Feel free to swap in cubed red or yellow potatoes instead.
    • Chicken broth - You’re also welcome to use beef or veggie broth, or even water in a pinch. Note that if you use water, you’ll be sacrificing some of the flavor, so consider adding some bouillon to replace the richness of broth or stock.
    • Diced canned tomatoes - You can also use whole canned tomatoes if needed, just chop them into bite-sized pieces first!
    • All-purpose flour - Coating your meat with flour helps it to brown beautifully, plus the added starch helps to thicken the Irish beef stew as it simmers. Feel free to swap in your favorite gluten-free flour alternative or cornstarch instead!

    Optional Variations

    While my family loves this Guinness beef stew recipe just the way it’s written, feel free to make changes based on your dietary needs and preferences. Here are a few variations to consider:

    • Gluten-Free - Swap in your favorite gluten-free porter or stout and use a measure-for-measure GF all-purpose flour blend or cornstarch to coat your meat.
    • Different Meats - Pork shoulder roast, sirloin roast or blade pork roast, boneless, skinless, chicken breast or chicken thighs, lamb, bison, or venison all require the same cooking procedure (dusting in flour, searing until golden, and simmering until tender) and offer several refreshing alternatives for this Guinness stew.
    • Vegetarian - The beef can be replaced with plant-based meat to make this wonderful Guinness stew recipe vegetarian.
    • Spicy - Add chili pepper flakes while cooking to imbue heat into the dish. You can also finish it with your favorite hot sauce or our homemade hot pepper sauce to add a little kick.
    • Different Vegetables - Feel free add a few handfuls of dark, leafy greens (e.g. de-stemmed kale or chard, or spinach) or some frozen green peas right before serving. You’re also welcome to add or swap in eggplant, winter squash, or other root vegetables like yams, beets, parsnips, turnips, or rutabagas for the other veggies.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy my Grandma's Cowboy Beef Stew.

    How To Make Guinness Beef Stew

    Making this Irish beef stew recipe isn't difficult at all. It only takes a few steps of prep and about 20 minutes of active time, and you'll be well on your way to one of the most delicious dinners you've ever had.

    The highlights are below, but you'll find the full instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post. 

    Whether you cook this beef stew on the stovetop or in your slow cooker, the first step is the same.

    Step 1: Toss beef in flour. Combine salt, pepper, and flour in a large resealable bag, then add the beef chunks and toss to coat. 

    Beef stew meat and seasoned flour added to a resealable bag.
    Beef stew meat after shaking with the seasoned flour — all the cubes are perfectly dusted.

    Stovetop Option — Dutch Oven Beef Stew

    Step 2: Cook bacon and beef. Cook the bacon in the Dutch oven until crisp. Remove from the pot. Add the coated beef to the skillet and sear on medium-high in the bacon grease until browned. Remove to the same plate as the bacon.

    Overhead photo of cooking bacon in a skillet.
    Cooking beef stew meat in the skilled using the rendered bacon fat.

    Step 3: Cook veggies. Add mushrooms, celery, and onions to the skillet and cook on medium until tender. Add salt and minced garlic to the vegetables and cook for a minute. 

    Onions, mushrooms, and celery added to the skillet.
    Salt and minced garlic added to the vegetables inside the skillet.

    Step 4: Deglaze. Then, add the beer and deglaze the skillet. Simmer the vegetables and add tomato paste. Stir, then pour into the large pot. 

    Adding Guinness to the skillet with the veggies to deglaze it.
    tomato paste added to the guinness stew base.

    Step 5: Simmer. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer until the beef is tender. 

    Blue Dutch oven with bacon, beef, Guinness sautéed veggies, raw potatoes and carrots.
    tomatoes and spices added to the dutch oven with the remaining Guinness beef stew ingrediets.

    Optional, Step 6: Thicken. If needed, thicken the stew with a cornstarch slurry. 

    Slow-Cooker Option — Crock Pot Guinness Beef Stew

    Step 2: Cook bacon and beef. Cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp. Remove to the insert of your slow cooker. Add the coated beef to the skillet and sear on medium-high in the bacon grease until browned. Add to the slow cooker with the bacon.

    Step 3: Deglaze the pan with the Guinness, then add the fond and beer to the slow cooker.

    Step 4: Add all remaining ingredients to the slow cooker and set to cook on Low for 4-6 hours.

    Optional, Step 5: Thicken. If needed, thicken the stew with a cornstarch slurry.

    Overhead closeup shot of Irish guinness beef stew in a dutch oven.

    6: If needed, thicken the stew with a cornstarch slurry.

    Storage

    Refrigerator: Store in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.

    Freezer: Store in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months

    Reheat: Defrost overnight in the fridge (if needed). Place the stew in a pot and heat over medium-low heat until hot.

    Make-Ahead: As with most soups and stews, this meal only gets better after a day or two in the fridge, so feel free to make it the day before you plan to serve it.

    What to Serve with Guinness Beef Stew

    This lick-the-bowl tasty beef and Guinness stew is perfect for fall and winter, or whenever the weather outside is chilly. It’s also a shoo-in for your St. Patrick’s day celebrations! While it’s rather rustic, I’ve made it for company many times before and my guests always ask for the recipe.

    As far as side dishes go, I could list out a bunch of recipes here, but I think it would be easier for you to check out my list of amazing sides on what to serve with beef stew. There's a lot to discover there! At the very least, make sure to serve it with some kind of bread or dinner rolls so you can sop up every last drop of flavor. 😉

    Expert Tips

    • Do NOT drain the bacon fat from the pan. That's part of what gives this stew its great flavor!
    • If you run out of bacon fat while cooking the beef and vegetables, you can add a bit of olive oil.
    • If you thicken your stew with starch at the end, be sure to add a little bit at a time and give it enough time to thicken. If you're too aggressive, you could end up with beef goo instead of Guinness Irish stew.

    Top Tip 

    The easiest way to coat your beef in the flour mixture is by using a resealable bag. 

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • large skillet
    • wooden spoon
    • slotted spoon
    • Large pot or CrockPot/Slow-Cooker
    • Resealable bag
    • small bowl
    • whisk

    FAQ

    Can this stew be made in a slow cooker?

    Absolutely. Cook the beef in the bacon fat as instructed, then add all the ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.

    Why is beer good in beef stew?

    Stouts, porters, and other dark beers work well in beef stew because they complement the rich, complex flavors of the meat and vegetables.

    What is the best beef for stew?

    Chuck, short rib, oxtail, brisket point, bottom sirloin flap, and cross-cut shanks are all good cuts for beef stew.

    What is the best way to thicken beef stew?

    If you coat your meat in all-purpose flour and/or cornstarch, you’ll already have a bit of thickening power at your disposal. 

    Near the end of the cooking time, I like to smash a few of the potatoes to allow them to release their natural starches, which also helps to tighten up the gravy base.

    If you still want your stew to be a little thicker, dissolve about 2 teaspoons of cornstarch (or potato starch, if corn is a no-no) in about 1.5 tablespoons of water, then slowly stir it into the mix.

    What are the best vegetables for beef stew?

    Taste is subjective, so that all depends on what you like! For Ken & I, potatoes, carrots, onions, and mushrooms are simply the bee’s knees when it comes to stew veggies. Feel free to swap in your favorite root veggies, or add extra vegetable goodness in the form of leafy greens, green peas, or eggplant.

    Can you freeze beef stew?

    Absolutely! It will keep well in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 3 months. To serve, allow it to defrost overnight in the fridge, then warm on the stovetop!

    Is Guinness stew okay for kids and pregnant people to eat?

    Since you’re only adding 15 ounces to the entire pot, and since *most* of the alcohol will evaporate as you cook it, I think you should be just fine feeding this to either group. That said, if you’re worried about it, swap in a non-alcoholic dark beer, or use extra broth (mushroom, beef or chicken), apple juice or cider, root beer, Dr. Pepper, or Coke instead.

    closeup shot of Irish Guinness beef stew in a white bowl for serving.

    More Delicious Stew Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Beef, Beer and Onion Stew
      Slow Cooker Beef, Beer and Onion Stew
    • A bowl of cowboy stew on the table ready to eat.
      Easy Cowboy Stew Recipe (Slow Cooker)
    • Spicy Beef Stew
    • Slow Cooker Creole Steak Stew
      Slow Cooker Creole Steak Stew

    Guinness Beef Stew

    Guinness beef stew combines tender beef, vegetables, and Guinness stout to create a beef stew that's hearty, delicious, and always welcome.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Simmer Time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 40 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Irish-American
    Servings 6
    Calories 652 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • large skillet
    • wooden spoon
    • slotted spoon
    • Large pot
    • Resealable bag
    • small bowl
    • whisk

    Ingredients
      

    • 6-8 slices bacon, chopped cut into small pieces
    • 2 - 2 ½ pounds stewing beef or any boneless cut of beef, cut into 2 inch chunks
    • 1 teaspoon salt more or less to taste
    • 1 teaspoon pepper more or less to taste
    • 2 onions, chopped
    • ½ pound mushrooms, sliced
    • 2 stalks celery, cut into bite sized chunks
    • 2-4 tablespoons garlic, minced
    • 1 can (15 oz) dark beer we used Guinness
    • 1 can (5 ½-6 oz) tomato paste
    • 2-4 tablespoons thyme, dried
    • 1 tablespoon white sugar
    • 1 teaspoon pepper more or less to taste
    • 3 carrots, cut into bite sized chunks
    • 2 pounds potatoes, mini, whole or halved
    • 2 cups chicken broth or as needed to cover
    • 2 cans (28 oz) canned tomatoes, diced, undrained (28 oz)
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour or starch (corn or potato)

    Instructions
     

    • In a large skillet cook your chopped bacon until crisp. Remove cooked bacon from your skillet and place in a large pot. Leave bacon fat in your skillet.
    • In a large resealable bag place your beef chunks. In a small cup combine 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and your flour, if using. Sprinkle on top of beef chunks and shake to coat beef as evenly as possible.
    • Turn your skillet to medium-high and sear beef pieces in the bacon fat until browned, about 5 minutes. Place beef in your large pot with the bacon, again leave the bacon fat in your skillet. If you need more oil, add some, and wait until it shimmers or a drop of water flicked in it dances before using it or continuing. Turn your heat down to medium. Add mushrooms, celery, and onions and cook until tender, between 8 and 10 minutes.
    • Sprinkle some salt over top of vegetables and add your minced garlic. Stir for about 1 minute and add your can of beer. Stir with a wooden spoon and scrape up and any browned bits on the bottom of your skillet. Allow beer to simmer for a few minutes and add tomato paste to your skillet. Stir until combined.
    • Pour liquid from skillet into your large pot. Add thyme, canned tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, sugar, 1 teaspoon pepper, and enough chicken broth to cover all of the contents of your pot. Stir to combine.
    • Turn the heat under your large pot on. Allow soup to gently simmer, on low, covered, until your beef is tender, about 2 hours. Stir occasionally.
    • Now to thicken your stew if needed. In a small cup add about ¼ cup of starch. Stir in water, just enough to dissolve the starch. Raise your heat to medium-high. Bring stew to a gentle boil and add starch liquid, a little at a time, every 5 minutes or so. Cook until stew has thickened, about 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to your taste. Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    Optional Variations
    • Gluten-Free - Swap in your favorite gluten-free porter or stout and use a measure-for-measure GF all-purpose flour blend or cornstarch to coat your meat.
    • Different Meats - Pork shoulder roast, sirloin roast or blade pork roast, boneless, skinless, chicken breast or chicken thighs, lamb, bison, or venison all require the same cooking procedure (dusting in flour, searing until golden, and simmering until tender) and offer several refreshing alternatives for this Guinness stew.
    • Vegetarian - The beef can be replaced with plant-based meat to make this wonderful Guinness stew recipe vegetarian.
    • Spicy - Add chili pepper flakes while cooking to imbue heat into the dish. You can also finish it with your favorite hot sauce or our homemade hot pepper sauce to add a little kick.
    • Different Vegetables - Feel free add a few handfuls of dark, leafy greens (e.g. de-stemmed kale or chard, or spinach) or some frozen green peas right before serving. You’re also welcome to add or swap in eggplant, winter squash, or other root vegetables like yams, beets, parsnips, turnips, or rutabagas for the other veggies.
    Expert Tips
    • Do NOT drain the bacon fat from the pan. That's part of what gives this stew its great flavor!
    • If you run out of bacon fat while cooking the beef and vegetables, you can add a bit of olive oil.
    • If you thicken your stew with starch at the end, be sure to add a little bit at a time and give it enough time to thicken. If you're too aggressive, you could end up with beef goo instead of Guinness Irish stew.
    • The easiest way to coat your beef in the flour mixture is by using a resealable bag. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 652kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 82gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 212mgSodium: 935mgPotassium: 2153mgFiber: 6gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 5279IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 129mgIron: 9mg
    Keyword guinness beef stew
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Closeup overhead photo of Guinness Beef Stew inside a blue Dutch oven.
    Share93
    Pin270
    Tweet
    Email
    363Shares
    363Shares

    More Main Courses

    • A corner of a pot cooking Filipino chicken adobo with coconut milk.
      Easy Chicken Adobo with Coconut Milk
    • Balsamic steak slice on a plate with mashed potatoes and broccoli.
      Baked Garlic Balsamic Steak
    • Closeup overhead shot of red chicken in white bowl with rice.
      Easy Red Chicken
    • What to Serve with Swedish Meatballs

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Colin

      February 06, 2023 at 10:36 am

      5 stars
      This is such a warm hearty dish. Especially nice in the winter. I love all the ingredients and there are so many variations it's insane! I like to use a can of tomato paste sometimes. It just gives it a zesty kick. Always a winner in our home!

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken

        February 06, 2023 at 6:43 pm

        I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to comment! You made my day. So glad to hear you’re enjoying this recipe as much as we all do. Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much. All the best. Karin

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Welcome!

    Ken and Karin

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

    Read more...

    Latest Recipes

    • Pink Mojito
    • Easy Chicken Adobo with Coconut Milk
    • Baked Garlic Balsamic Steak
    • Copycat Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe

    Footer

    Join me in the kitchen for a week of our favorite Sweets and Treats!

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    © 2023 · Kitchen Divas · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy