Name: Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew with Potatoes & Carrots
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 8 h 30 min
Total time: 9 h
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 2 lbs. beef stew meat, well trimmed; 2 tbsp. cooking oil; ½ cup all-purpose flour; 2 tsp. salt; ½ tsp. pepper; 1 tsp. dried leaf oregano, not ground; 1 tsp. dried leaf thyme, not ground; 1 tsp. onion powder; 6 oz. tomato paste; 15 oz. beef broth; 3 cups baby red potatoes, quartered; 3 cups carrots, sliced; 2 cups celery, sliced; 1 cup white onion, cut into large pieces; 2 tsp. garlic, minced; 11.2 oz. guinness beer, 1 bottle; 2 bay leaves

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Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew with Potatoes & Carrots is the ultimate comfort meal for chilly nights. This rich, hearty stew features tender chunks of beef swimming in a robust Guinness-infused broth, accompanied by vibrant vegetables that soak up all those delicious flavors. You can almost smell the savory aroma wafting through your kitchen as it gently simmers for hours in your slow cooker, drawing your family and guests to the table to savor those cozy tastes of home.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew with Potatoes & Carrots
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew with Potatoes & Carrots

Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew with Potatoes & Carrots

When I first discovered this recipe, I was captivated by how easy it was to prepare. With minimal hands-on time, this stew simmers away without much fuss, making it perfect for busy days when you want something delicious waiting for you. This Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew with Potatoes & Carrots is not only budget-friendly, but it also delivers on flavor, reminding me of family gatherings where everyone digs in with joy. It’s satisfying, filling, and just too good to resist—so, let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With only 30 minutes of prep and 8 hours in the slow cooker, it practically cooks itself!
Irresistible Flavor: The blend of Guinness and seasonings creates a depth of flavor that’s truly special, with tender beef and vibrant vegetables.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The colorful veggies add a lovely contrast to the dark, rich broth, making it as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the palate.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for a family dinner, meal prep, or feeding guests, this stew suits any occasion.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily customize to gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and beef broth.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 lbs. beef stew meat, well trimmed: A good-cut chuck roast or round works best for tenderness.
2 tbsp. cooking oil: Use olive oil or vegetable oil for browning the beef; it helps develop flavor.
½ cup all-purpose flour: This thickens the sauce and gives the beef a nice crust.
2 tsp. salt: Essential for enhancing all the flavors in the stew.
½ tsp. pepper: A touch of black pepper adds just the right amount of warmth.
1 tsp. dried leaf oregano: This aromatic herb brings a hint of earthiness to the mix.
1 tsp. dried leaf thyme: This herb pairs beautifully with the beef, fostering a classic stew flavor.
1 tsp. onion powder: A perfect workaround for enhancing the stew’s savory profile without fresh onions.
6 oz. tomato paste: It provides richness and depth, helping to create that luscious stew base.
15 oz. beef broth: Use low-sodium beef broth for better control over salt levels.
3 cups baby red potatoes, quartered: Their creamy texture holds up well during long cooking times.
3 cups carrots, sliced: Sweet and vibrant, they add a pop of color and flavor.
2 cups celery, sliced: Adds crunch and a fresh flavor balance against the richness.
1 cup white onion, cut into large pieces: Large chunks ensure they will not fully melt away during cooking.
2 tsp. garlic, minced: This little ingredient packs a punch and enhances the overall savoriness.
11.2 oz. Guinness beer (1 bottle): The star of this dish, it adds a depth and complexity that elevates the stew.
2 bay leaves: These aromatic leaves impart a subtle fragrance that ties together the whole dish.

How to Make Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew with Potatoes & Carrots

Prepare the Beef: Start by grabbing a large ziplock bag. Add ½ cup all-purpose flour, 2 tsp. salt, ½ tsp. pepper, 1 tsp. dried leaf oregano, 1 tsp. dried leaf thyme, and 1 tsp. onion powder. Shake it up to combine these dry ingredients thoroughly.

Coat the Beef: Toss the 2 lbs. beef stew meat into the bag with the flour mixture. Seal it tightly and shake until every piece of meat is well-coated. The flour not only helps with browning but also thickens the stew.

Brown the Beef: Heat 2 tbsp. cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the flour-coated beef, browning it on all sides—aim for a nice golden crust without burning.

Add Tomato Paste and Broth: When the meat has sufficiently browned, stir in 6 oz. tomato paste and 15 oz. beef broth. Mix until the beef is well-coated with the sauce. It should be thick and fragrant, pulling up any tasty bits from the skillet’s bottom.

Prep the Slow Cooker: In your slow cooker, add 3 cups baby red potatoes (quartered), 3 cups carrots (sliced), 2 cups celery (sliced), 1 cup white onion (large pieces), and 2 tsp. minced garlic. These veggies will absorb the wonderful flavors and provide fantastic texture.

Layer the Stew: Pour the beef mixture with its sauce over the vegetables in the slow cooker. This ensures the veggies cook down in the hearty juices.

Pour in the Guinness: Open the 11.2 oz. Guinness beer and carefully stir it into the slow cooker, adding an extra level of richness. Lay 2 bay leaves on top without stirring again.

Cook Low and Slow: Cover with the lid and set your slow cooker to LOW. Let it work its magic for 8 hours—resist the urge to lift the lid during this time!

Finishing Touches: Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the bay leaves; they’ve done their job. Now it’s time to serve this comforting dish!

Storing & Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the stew in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm it in a pot over low heat for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through. You may notice a slight change in texture after freezing but stir in a splash of beef broth to refresh its consistency.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Always brown the meat well; this step adds depth to the flavor and great texture to your stew.
Let the beef sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.
Experiment with different veggies based on what you enjoy or have on hand—parsnips or green beans make great additions!
If the stew is too thick for your liking after cooking, simply stir in a little beef broth to reach your desired consistency.
For serving, consider adding fresh parsley for color or a dollop of sour cream for richness.

Enjoying a warm bowl of Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew with Potatoes & Carrots is like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket. Not only is it a marvelous way to feed your family, but it also presents as a welcoming dish for guests. With its depth of flavor and the delightful mixture of tender beef and hearty vegetables, each bite is satisfying and comforting. Feel free to play around with the recipe—add your favorite herbs, swap in different vegetables, or adjust the seasoning to truly make this stew yours. Cooking should reflect your tastes, so have fun with it!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different type of beer?

Absolutely! If Guinness isn’t your preference, try a stout or even a porter for similar flavor profiles. You could go with a lighter beer, but it may alter the stew’s richness.

How do I thicken my stew further?

If you desire a thicker texture, consider whisking together a tablespoon of cornstarch with a bit of cold water, then stirring it into the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Can I make this stew ahead of time?

Yes, making it a day ahead can deepen the flavors. Just reheat it gently before serving. Some even say stews taste better the next day!

Is this stew kid-friendly?

Definitely! The flavors are rich yet not overwhelmingly strong, making it a family-friendly option. Plus, the hearty ingredients are usually a hit for little ones!