IRISH GUINNESS BEEF STEW (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)

Photo Credit:Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie

It was my lucky day. I was searching for a hearty, Irish meal for St. Patrick’s Day a couple of years ago, and discovered this recipe from The Cookie Rookie. It was like finding a pot of gold at the end of a dinner-recipe-search rainbow!

I’ll have to admit, I’m personally not a beer drinker. However, I love Ireland and find the history of the Guinness family interesting. A few years ago, I got to tour the Guinness Storehouse/Brewery in Dublin, Ireland and managed to get down the traditional class of Guinness at the end. I still have the glass to prove it. It was a fun experience and I’d highly recommend the tour, with or without the ending taste “test”. This recipe flooded me with memories of that trip and I had to try it.

Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, Ireland Source: https://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en

Whether you are a beer fan or not, the aroma of this “Irish Stew” will fill your home with cooking-happiness and the flavor of this stew will leave a lasting impression. It’s hearty, comfort food at its best. Don’t miss out.

This recipe comes with our family’s “Van Dyke Seal of Approval”; which is among an elite few (it can be tough getting 6 people to agree, sometimes!). In fact, it immediately became one of our son’s favorite meals; so much so, he requested it as his “Birthday Meal” (over a restaurant choice). Since then, it’s been in the regular dinner rotation in our house; especially during the cooler months.

So, go ahead and add a little “Irish” to your dinner or someone else’s.

Ready to cook! My trusty crock pot is still my friend; but on my busy days, my Instant Pot is my fast and fun BFF.

THE RECIPE:

(Adapted from Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie’s “Irish Guinness Beef Stew (Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew”)

PREP TIME: 15 min

COOK TIME: 8 hrs – Slow Cooker; 1 hr 20 min – Instant Pot

Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS

10 small red potatoes, quartered

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can sliced carrots

• 2 full stalks celery, chopped

• 3 lbs stew meat, cubed (Note: You can make this stew “fancy” (eg. for a Birthday Meal) by using Sirloin Steak, which I use when it’s on sale; otherwise, general stew meat works great)

• 1/2 cup flour

• salt and pepper to taste

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 1/2 cups diced onion

• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce

• 10 ounces beef broth (about 1/3 of a large box)

• 1 (13 g) envelope Onion Soup Mix

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 12 ounces (1 bottle) Guinness Stout

• Tip: Some grocery stores will sell individual bottles, so you can purchase only what you need. Even if you’re not a big-beer fan (don’t tell that to your Irish friends!), the flavor of this stew is worth the effort!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Put potatoes, carrots, and celery chunks in the bottom of crock pot on low heat. Pour in beer, beef broth, garlic powder, salt and pepper, soup mix, and basil. Stir to combine.

2. Season beef lightly with salt and pepper and then coat in the flour.

3. Heat oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Cook the beef until almost browned, and then add in the onion. Continue turning and browning until the meat is fully browned and the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. (You might want to brown the meat in batches, so it doesn’t get too crowded.)

4. Add meat and onions to the slow cooker.

5. Stir in the tomato sauce and cover, heating on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Low is best, but if you don’t have the time, high will work! (*Or in Instant Pot: You can use the “Meat/Stew” button. On busy days, I usually cook it through the cycle TWICE on this setting (1.2 hrs total), to get the meat to extra “fall-apart” goodness; then, let it “stew” or warm until we’re ready to eat.)

6. Serve with lots of bread! Enjoy!

Tiding Tip This stew is hearty enough as a full meal by itself. Package it up for your Food Tidings delivery in a disposable pan/dish and deliver it with a french or sourdough baguette. The Recipient will savor the taste for days; be grateful to you, forever.

Sitting down to this meal just soothes the soul, every time.

Tiding Tip

Adding an “Irish” dessert would make a fun meal addition near St. Patrick’s Day or add an “international” flare to an everyday meal (Unless your Irish, of course…then, it’s just a regular ol’ brilliant meal, anytime.)