Discover the rich, comforting tastes of Ireland with this Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew. Perfect for chilly evenings, this dish is a symphony of tender beef, hearty vegetables, and fragrant herbs that sing with warmth in every bite. Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting, transforming simple ingredients into an aromatic, soul-soothing meal.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 5 carrots, sliced
- 4 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup Guinness or any stout beer
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 cup frozen peas
Equipments
- Slow cooker
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
How to Make Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew – Step By Step
Step 1: Sear the Beef
Before transforming your beef into tender morsels, grab a large skillet and heat the oil over medium-high. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper, and cook them in batches, not overcrowding the pan, until they’re nicely browned on all sides. This will deepen the flavor of your stew, adding a rich caramelized depth. Don’t skip it—the payoff is worth the extra few minutes!
Step 2: Prepare the Veggies
While your beef sears to perfection, slice the carrots, dice the potatoes, chop the onion, and mince the garlic. Place these prepared vegetables directly into the slow cooker. Their earthy flavors will mingle beautifully with the beef as everything simmers together, soaking up the broth and seasonings.
Step 3: Create the Stew Base
In the same skillet used for the beef, pour a splash more oil if needed and sauté the onions and garlic until they become fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, coating the onions and garlic for a minute or so. This little step builds a flavor base that’s rich and irresistible.
Step 4: Assemble the Stew
To your vegetable mixture in the slow cooker, add the sautéed onions and garlic. Then, place the browned beef cubes. Pour in the beef broth and Guinness, and stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Add the thyme sprigs and bay leaves, tucking them into the stew for aromatic depth.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover your slow cooker, set it to low, and allow everything to cook together for 8 hours. Alternatively, option for a high setting for about 4-5 hours. Either way, your patience will be rewarded as the flavors meld into a hearty, warming stew.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
About 30 minutes before the stew is done, stir in the frozen peas. This will keep their bright color and slight bite intact. Before serving, discard the bay leaves and thyme stems. Taste for seasoning, adjusting with salt and pepper as desired. Ladle your stew into bowls and enjoy!
How to Serve Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew
Serve your stew in deep bowls, allowing room for the rich broth and chunky ingredients to stay cozy. Pair with crusty bread for an extra filling meal, and consider a sprinkle of fresh parsley for added color and freshness.
Recipe Success Tips & Suggestions
To ensure your stew remains perfectly seasoned, taste test towards the end and adjust as needed. Browning the beef isn’t just for color; it adds compelling depth of flavor. If Guinness isn’t your thing, a dark beer substitute will also work, or you can use additional beef broth if you’d rather avoid alcohol altogether.
High-Protein Version: Fuel Your Day with Hearty Flavor
For those focused on reducing carbs while maximizing protein, beef up your stew with additional lean cuts such as sirloin. Incorporating protein-rich mushrooms alongside your beef will enhance both texture and taste, providing a nutritious boost.
Low-Carb Innovation: Light Yet Satisfying Spoonfuls
Transform this classic into a low-carb delight by swapping traditional potatoes with turnips or cauliflower. Both options offer subtler flavors, allowing the beef and broth to steal the show without a carb-heavy impact.
Storage Instructions
For next-day magic, cool any leftovers before transferring them into airtight containers. Stew can reside in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, gently warm on the stove over low heat until hot.
FAQs
Can I make this stew vegetarian?
You can replace the beef with hearty mushrooms and the beef broth with vegetable stock.
What’s an alternative to Guinness?
A dark ale or additional beef broth will work just as well!
Can I skip searing the beef?
While it is possible, searing adds a rich depth of flavor that enhances the stew.
How do I thicken the stew?
Mash some of the potatoes in the stew or whisk in a cornstarch slurry.
Final Thoughts: Warm Up with Every Savory Spoonful
This Irish Beef Stew is the embodiment of comfort and flavor, perfect for cozy gatherings or quiet nights in. I hope you find warmth and nourishment in every bite. Please share your experiences and any personal twists in the comments below!
Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- beef stew meat
- carrots
- potatoes
- onion
- garlic cloves
- beef broth
- Guinness or stout beer
- tomato paste
- Worcestershire sauce
- fresh thyme
- bay leaves
- Salt and pepper
- all-purpose flour
- oil
- frozen peas
Instructions
Steps
- Before transforming your beef into tender morsels, grab a large skillet and heat the oil over medium-high. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper, and cook them in batches, not overcrowding the pan, until they're nicely browned on all sides.
- While your beef sears to perfection, slice the carrots, dice the potatoes, chop the onion, and mince the garlic. Place these prepared vegetables directly into the slow cooker.
- In the same skillet used for the beef, pour a splash more oil if needed and sauté the onions and garlic until they become fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, coating the onions and garlic for a minute or so.
- To your vegetable mixture in the slow cooker, add the sautéed onions and garlic. Then, place the browned beef cubes. Pour in the beef broth and Guinness, and stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Add the thyme sprigs and bay leaves, tucking them into the stew.
- Cover your slow cooker, set it to low, and allow everything to cook together for 8 hours. Alternatively, option for a high setting for about 4-5 hours.
- About 30 minutes before the stew is done, stir in the frozen peas. This will keep their bright color and slight bite intact. Before serving, discard the bay leaves and thyme stems. Taste for seasoning, adjusting with salt and pepper as desired.