Beef and Guinness Stew is a classic comfort food that warms you up from the inside out. With tender chunks of beef, hearty vegetables, and the rich flavor of Guinness, it’s a perfect dish for family gatherings or chilly evenings. This stew is not just filling; it’s full of flavor and easy to prepare!
Why make this recipe
You should make this Beef and Guinness Stew because it’s a simple recipe that brings everyone together. The combination of beef, bacon, and veggies simmered in dark beer creates a taste that’s hard to resist. Plus, it’s perfect for weekends or anytime you want a cozy meal at home.
How to make Beef and Guinness Stew
Making this Beef and Guinness Stew is straightforward. Just gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and let it simmer to perfection while you kick back and relax. It’s bound to be a new family favorite!
Ingredients :
- 4 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
- 2.5 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1.5 teaspoons salt, divided, or more to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 onions, coarsely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.9 ounce) can dark beer (such as Guinness®)
- 0.25 cup tomato paste
- 3 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 2.5 cups chicken stock, or as needed to cover
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
Directions :
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Gather all ingredients.
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Cook and stir bacon in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until browned and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer bacon into a large stew pot, saving the fat in the skillet.
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Season beef chunks with 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Turn the heat to high and sear beef in the hot fat for about 5 minutes until browned. Place beef in the stew pot with bacon.
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Lower the heat to medium; cook and stir onions in remaining fat until lightly brown, about 5 to 8 minutes; add a pinch of salt.
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Cook garlic with onions for about 1 minute until soft. Pour beer into the skillet, scraping up any brown bits of food.
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Pour the cooking liquid into the stew pot. Mix in tomato paste, carrots, celery, thyme, sugar, and enough chicken broth to cover everything.
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Bring the stew to a gentle simmer, stirring well; reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
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Simmer until the beef is fork-tender, about 2 hours. Stir occasionally and skim off any fat or foam as desired.
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Remove the lid and raise the heat to medium-high. Bring to a low boil and cook until the stew thickens a bit, about 15 to 20 minutes. Take out the thyme sprigs and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve by placing mashed potatoes in a ring on a plate and ladling stew into the center.
How to serve Beef and Guinness Stew
Serve this stew hot, with mashed potatoes that soak up all the tasty juices. It makes a wonderful meal on its own, or you can pair it with some crusty bread for dipping.
How to store Beef and Guinness Stew
Let the stew cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. It will stay good in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the stew for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tips to make Beef and Guinness Stew
- For even more flavor, brown the beef in batches to get a nice sear on each piece.
- Feel free to add extra veggies like potatoes or parsnips if you’d like.
- Adjust the seasoning to your personal taste; a bit more salt or pepper can make a difference!
Variation
You can make this stew with different cuts of meat, like brisket or round. You can also try using a different dark beer if Guinness isn’t available.
FAQs
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Can I use a different kind of beer? Yes, any dark beer can work well in this recipe.
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How long does this stew take to cook? About 2 to 2.5 hours of gentle simmering will make the beef tender.
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Can I make this stew in a slow cooker? Absolutely! Brown the meat first, then place everything in a slow cooker for 6 to 8 hours on low.