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Irish Beef and Guinness Stew

Irish Beef and Guinness Stew

The iconic Irish Beef and Guinness Stew is a rich, hearty dish featuring tender beef and a deep, complex sauce from Guinness beer.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Course Dinner, Stew
Cuisine Irish
Servings 6 servings
Calories 646 kcal

Equipment

  • Heavy based pot

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2.5 lb beef chuck, boneless short rib or other slow cooking beef (no bone)
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium onions, chopped (brown, white or yellow)
  • 6 oz bacon, speck or pancetta, diced
  • 3 tablespoon flour, all purpose/plain (Note 3 for GF)
  • 440 ml Guinness Beer (Note 1)
  • 4 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 3 cups chicken stock/broth (or beef broth - Note 4)
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1.25 cm thick pieces
  • 2 large celery stalks, cut into 2cm pieces
  • 2 leaves bay leaves
  • 3 sprigs thyme (or substitute with 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves)

Instructions
 

  • Cut the beef into 5cm chunks. Pat dry then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Heat oil in a heavy based pot over high heat. Add beef in batches and brown well all over. Remove onto plate. Repeat with remaining beef.
  • Lower heat to medium. If the pot is looking dry, add oil.
  • Cook garlic and onion for 3 minutes until softening, then add bacon.
  • Cook until bacon is browned, then stir through carrot and celery.
  • Add flour, and stir for 1 minute to cook off the flour.
  • Add Guinness, chicken broth/stock and tomato paste. Mix well (to ensure flour dissolves well), add bay leaves and thyme.
  • Return beef into the pot (including any juices). Liquid level should just cover.
  • Cover, lower heat so it is bubbling gently. Cook for 2 hours - the beef should be pretty tender by now. Remove lid then simmer for a further 30 - 45 minutes or until the beef falls apart at a touch, the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly.
  • Skim off fat on surface, if desired. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves and thyme.
  • Serve with creamy mashed potatoes!

Notes

Guinness Beer is a dark coloured rich Irish beer, crucial for the sauce. Non-alcoholic substitute: 2 cups water + 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce + 2 beef bouillon cubes crumbled.

Nutrition

Serving: 497gCalories: 646kcalCarbohydrates: 15.3gProtein: 72.2gFat: 29.1gSaturated Fat: 9.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 19.9gCholesterol: 200mgSodium: 1499mgFiber: 2.1gSugar: 4.7g
Keyword Guinness stew, Irish Beef and Guinness Stew
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