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–+ servings

Slow Cooker Beef and Guinness Stew

bowl of stew with bread
This Slow Cooker Beef and Guinness Stew is the ultimate comfort food! Simmered all day, this easy beef stew recipe delivers fall-apart tender beef, perfectly cooked vegetables and thanks to Guinness Beer, a rich and hearty flavor that melts in your mouth straight from your crock pot.
Heather
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Serving Size 6

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chunk roast cut into 2 inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 ounces bacon cut into small pieces
  • 1 medium onion quartered
  • 4 large garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 5 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups beef stock
  • 5 ounces tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon worchestershire
  • 22 ounces Guinness Draught or Guinness Extra Stout Beer
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons salt to taste
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
  • 4 large carrots cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 4 cups Yukon gold potatoes cut into 1 inch pieces
  • Parsley for garnish and good crusty bread

Instructions

  • Start by heating a large stock pot over high heat on your stove top. Cut the chuck roast into 2 inch chunks or use pre-cut stew meat from your grocery store.
  • Add in olive oil and chuck roast chunks, working in 2 batches. Brown all sides of beef, remove and repeat with 2nd batch. Remove the meat and set aside.
  • Lower heat of stock pot to medium and add in the bacon pieces. Cook until crisp and remove pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  • Add butter to the bacon grease and then add in the flour, whisking constantly for 1 minute and then pour in the beef stock. Add in tomato paste, seasonings, Worcestershire and stirring to combine, bring to a low boil.
  • Transfer your stew broth to your slow cooker and pour in the Guinness beer. Add onions, garlic, potatoes and carrots and stew meat (including any juices). Cover and lower heat so that it is just gently bubbling. cook for 8 hours on Low or 4 hours on High. Serve with crusty bread and parsley for garnish

Notes

Tips No One Tells You

• Brown the beef before slow cooking to build deeper flavor in the stew.
• Cook the bacon until crisp so it adds texture and rich smoky flavor.
• Use the bacon drippings as the base for the broth to boost savory depth.
• Cook the stew on low whenever possible for the most tender beef.
• Cut carrots and potatoes into larger chunks so they don’t fall apart.
• Don’t overcrowd the skillet when browning the meat or it will steam instead of sear.
• Stir the stew once or twice during cooking if possible to evenly distribute ingredients.
• Taste the stew near the end of cooking and adjust salt or seasoning as needed.
• Add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme right before serving for a brighter flavor.
• Let the stew rest for about 10 minutes before serving so the broth thickens slightly.
• If the stew seems thin, add a simple cornstarch slurry during the last 30 minutes.
• Always use a good quality beef stock for the richest flavor.
• This rich and hearty Guinness stew recipe tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.