Irish Stew

Bursting with flavor, tender beef, creamy potatoes, and a rich broth flavored with Guinness beer, this Irish Stew is the ultimate comfort food.

This stovetop recipe is similar to my traditional beef stew, but I replaced the red wine with stout beer. Small bits of bacon are also added for additional flavor and texture. I usually make my stew with peas but this simple version just features potatoes and carrots. It may take a long time to make, but you are sure to love one of Ireland’s most iconic pub foods.

Why I love this recipe

• Incredible flavor – The slow cooking method of braising the meat on the stove combined with the rich flavors of the dark beer and root vegetables create the most hearty stew with deep flavor.
• Great leftovers – This Irish beef stew recipe freezes well and is super easy to reheat.
• Irish food – What better way to celebrate St. Patty’s Day!

Ingredients needed to make Irish beef stew

• olive oil
• beef stew meat (lamb can be used for a more traditional Irish stew)
• onions
• bacon (I used thick-cut Rancher’s bacon but you can also use pancetta
• garlic 
• all-purpose flour
• tomato paste
• stout beer
• beef broth
• bay leaves
• fresh thyme leaves
• baby potatoes 
• carrots 

How to make Irish beef stew

Sear the stew meat

You can buy stew meat from the grocery store or the butcher, or you can cut a chuck roast into small pieces.

Either way, one of the ways to create amazing flavor is to sear the meat first.

1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil. When the oil is hot, add half of the stew meat.
2. Arrange in a single layer and do not stir. Allow the meat to sit, undisturbed, until golden to dark brown on the bottom. This will take about 5 minutes. You do not want to cook the meat all the way through; you just want to give one side a good sear.
3. When done, transfer the seared beef to a bowl and repeat with the second batch.

Make the stew

After you’ve seared the beef stew meat, follow these steps to continue making the stew.

1. Sauté onions: Add the chopped onions and bacon to the pot. Give them a good stir to coat them in the residual oil, and then let them sit, undisturbed, to let them brown just a bit. After 5-10 minutes, add the garlic and tomato paste. Stir and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes.
2. Make roux: Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir to coat. Allow the flour to cook for several minutes while stirring to prevent burning. The mixture should start to stick to the bottom of the pan.
3. Deglaze: Add the stout to the mixture and stir with a flat bottom spoon to release any of the browned bits that may have stuck to the bottom of the pot. A rich, thick gravy will form.
4. Braise meat: Add the beef stock, thyme, bay leaves, and seared stew meat (along with any liquid in the bowl) to the pot. Stir well to combine. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to the lowest amount needed to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot loosely and simmer for one hour to allow the depth of flavor to develop.
5. Cook potatoes and carrots: After the stew has cooked for at least an hour, stir in the prepared potatoes and carrots. Mix in the salt. Continue cooking with a gentle simmer, uncovered this time, for another hour. As the liquid evaporates with the lid off, the stew will slightly thicken.
6. Season and serve: Taste the stew and add freshly ground black pepper and additional salt, if needed. Remove the thyme stem and bay leaves prior to serving. Tastes great with Irish soda bread!

Favorite St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

If you’re looking for other traditional Irish recipes to make on St. Patrick’s Day, try some of these favorites.

• Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
• Colcannon
• Irish Cheddar Shepherd’s Pie
• Bangers & Mash with Stout Onion Gravy
• Corned Beef Hash
• Irish Coffee