Best Guinness Beef Stew

The good news is this delicious Guinness Beef Stew recipe is low-carb, nut-free, dairy-free, and egg-free. With some substitutions, it can also be gluten-free.

Picture yourself sitting by a crackling fire on a cold winter’s night, spooning up mouthfuls of Guinness Stew. With tender beef, soft potatoes, and flavorful vegetables enveloped in a luxurious sauce infused with the unmistakable essence of Guinness and chocolate. These indulgent, hearty flavors are comforting and, yes, intensely delicious, too.

We love cooking this stew. The divine smell fills the kitchen with tantalizing aromas, and our huskies know what’s cooking, too. Every time we make it, we eagerly anticipate sitting down with a bottle of Guinness or red wine to savor each mouthful. Even our huskies try clamoring for a mouthful. In our house, Guinness Beef Stew is a weekly ritual, and to our extreme shame, the huskies love a little of the leftover gravy with their dinner, too!

What’s To Love?

💕 Quick to prepare, and no oven is required.
💕 Doesn’t require any complex cooking skills or hard-to-find ingredients.
💕 The addition of Guinness beer to the stew gives it a deep, rich flavor with hints of malt and caramel that elevate the dish beyond a traditional beef stew.
💕 Is a hearty and filling meal that satisfies even the heartiest appetites.
💕 There’s something inherently comforting about Guinness and beef, which takes this meal to another level of coziness.
💕 Is a fantastic dish for festive seasons such as Christmas and Easter.
💕 Is a surefire crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
💕 It’s a classic comfort food, perfect for cold weather. The combination of beef, vegetables, and hearty broth makes it a satisfying meal.

Have you already tried Guinness Beef Stew? If so, let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it!

Let’s Talk Ingredients

We feel every ingredient adds to the overall taste and texture; if you remove one, it’s like you’ve removed them all.

• Beef — the best cuts for stewing are chuck or stewing beef. It is best bought already diced.
• Oil — use rice bran oil because it withstands high temperatures.
• Onion — use red onions because it adds natural sweetness to the stew.
• Garlic Cloves — provide a subtle garlic flavor.
• Carrots — use medium to large carrots work best.
• Celery — use medium celery stalks; they produce a great sweet flavor to stews.
• Potatoes — use large sized potatoes such as King Edward or Maris Piper.
• Tomato Puree — added to provide a natural deep red color to the stew.
• Stock — we prefer using beef stock; it works great and adds extra depth of flavor. 
• Stout— use Guinness because it produces a rich, flavorful gravy.
• Pepper — a pinch of black pepper is all you need.
• Sugar — we suggest using light brown sugar as it’s perfect at offsetting the bitterness from the Guinness.
• Cocoa Powder — it creates an intense, delicious color for the dish. Comes in natural and Dutch versions. Any unsweetened will work! The quality of the cocoa makes all the difference; the brands we like are Green & Blacks and Callebaut.
• Flour — use all-purpose flour to dredge the beef and thicken the gravy.
• Salt — we use Himalayan salt; it brings out the flavor and offsets any sweetness.
• Spices / Herbs — use bay leaves, dried thyme, and fresh parsley.

For more detailed ingredients, see the recipe card.

Customizations

Here are some foodie alternatives should you want to make some changes:

• Beef — great alternatives are lamb shoulder, leg, or neck fillet.
• Onion — white onions are the preferable alternative. 
• Garlic Cloves — for convenience use 2 tsp of garlic puree.
• Potatoes — use baby potatoes or charlotte, but do not peel.
• Stock — if you decide to use lamb meat, then a good quality lamb stock is a great alternative.
• Stout — a great alternative is brown ale or red wine; however, it’s not as tasty as Guinness.
• Flour — use cornflour to make it gluten-free.

When substituting ingredients, it’s essential to remember that the taste, texture, and overall result of the Guinness Beef Stew might differ, particularly if you’re substituting many ingredients.

If you have made the beef stew with any customizations, we’d love to hear about it; please message us in the comments.

Instructions – Overview

Guinness Beef Stew is easy to make and is even easier to eat. Here’s a breakdown of how to get started on your baking journey (more detailed instructions are in the recipe card):

Preparation:

▶︎ Switch the slow cooker on low or turn on your oven. Begin by chopping or slicing the onions., then remove the potato skin and dice them into large chunks. Slice the celery and set it aside. Remove the carrot skin and slice it into large chunks. Mince the garlic and set it aside.

▶︎ In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge the beef chunks in the flour mixture until evenly coated.

▶︎ If you don’t have a searing function on your slow cooker, then heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef chunks in batches, then add straight to the slow cooker. Coat and season the beef.

NOTE: Browning is optional. Alternatively, place the coated beef straight into the slow cooker.

Slow Cooking:

▶︎ Place the coated beef straight into the pot, brown it, and then add the onion, garlic, carrots, potatoes, tomato puree, sugar, Guinness, bay leaves, thyme, chocolate, and stock. Combine well.

▶︎ Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook for at least 6 hours. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.

For more detailed instructions, notes, and ideas…see the recipe card.

Tools You’ll Need

Want to make the best Guinness Beef Stew? Using the correct equipment for preparation is essential; we think they’re a big helping hand. We understand that you might already have some of these kitchen tools to make this recipe, or you might want to use other tools and may not require our recommendations. Here are some of our suggestions to get you started:

• Frying Pan or a Slow Cooker
• Chopping Board – to saute the beef is optional.
• Silicone Spatula – for stirring and incorporating all the ingredients smoothly.
• Weighing Scales and Measuring Spoons – to measure the ingredients accurately.
• Garlic Press– to mince the garlic.
• Mini Chopper – to finely chop the onion, etc, or use a sharp knife.
• Vegetable Peeler – to peel the vegetables.

If you love the gadgets used in this recipe, you’ll love this multi-slow cooker. It’s our go-to for many of our meats, one-post, and soup recipes, and we think every budding chef needs it.

Let the 8 Portions, 8L Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker cook your meals to perfection while you get on with your day; it makes casseroles, curries, chili, soups, roasts, desserts, and more. It’s an 8-in-1 with a removable non-stick pot, steaming rack, integrated spoon & glass lid. It features slow cooking, sears, braises, steam, and more. You can gently simmer at low temperatures or dial up the heat to sizzle and steam.

Check out our favorite kitchen equipment that we love to use with all our recipes.

Storing

See our FAQs for detailed instructions on storing, refrigeration, freezing, and defrosting and for answers to readers’ questions.

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant.

Pairing

Guinness Beef Stew is frequently eaten as a one-pot meal, but it can easily be paired. Here are some suggestions and our favorite go-to’s what to eat with it:

▶︎ Guinness Beef Stew is delicious on its own or served with crusty bread, such as a rustic baguette or Irish soda bread, to soak up the leftover gravy.

▶︎ Colcannon is an Irish dish made with mashed potatoes, cabbage or kale, and butter. Its creamy texture and subtle flavor make it a perfect side dish to serve alongside Guinness Beef Stew, adding a touch of Irish tradition to your meal.

▶︎ Since Guinness Beef Stew already contains Guinness stout, consider serving it with a glass of the same beer. The deep, malty flavors of the Guinness complement the stew and enhance its overall taste experience.

▶︎ For afters, try a light, creamy dessert such as these Elegant Mini Meringue Nests or a light and airy cake such as this Easy Moist Carrot Cake will provide a sweet finish to this hearty meal.

More Recipes

Here are some other delicious recipes that we think you might also like:

Keralan Chicken Curry (Nadan Kozhi)

Luxury Creamy Fish Pie

Yum Chicken Tikka Masala

Aromatic Chocolate Lamb Stew

⭐️ Quick Tip: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand. Voila…you’re all set to go!

Guinness Beef Stew

5 from 1 vote

Guinness Beef Stew is a hearty and comforting dish that's perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you're craving a warming indulgent meal. This classic meal is infused with rich flavors of stout, tender chunks of beef, aromatic vegetables, and savory herbs come together in a thick, luscious gravy.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Resting Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinners

Cuisine: American/British

Calories: 732

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 900 grams Diced Beef Chuck or stewing beef
• 2 tbsp Rice Bran Oil
• 2 Red Onions
• 2 Garlic Cloves or 1 tsp of garlic puree
• 3 large Carrots
• 3 Celery Stalks
• 3 large Potatoes
• 2 tbsp Tomato Puree
• 500 ml Beef Stock
• 500 ml Guinness Stout
• ½ tsp Black Pepper
• 2 tsp Light Brown Sugar
• 30 grams All-Purpose Flour
• 2 tsp Cocoa Powder or cacao
• 1 tsp Himalayan Salt
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 1 tsp Dried Thyme
• Fresh Parsley chopped (for garnish)

Equipment

• Slow Cooker
• Frying Pan
• Chopping Board
• Silicone Spatula
• Weighing Scales
• Measuring Spoons
• Garlic Press
• Mini Chopper
• Vegetable Peeler

Method

 

Preparation

1. Switch the slow cooker on to low.
2. Chop or slice the onions. Set aside.
   2 Red Onions
3. Remove potato skin and dice potatoes into large chunks. Set aside.
   3 large Potatoes
4. Slice celery. Set aside.
   3 Celery Stalks
5. Remove carrot skin and slice into large chunks using a knife or a mini chopper. Set aside.
   3 large Carrots
6. Mince the garlic using a knife or garlic press. Set aside.
   2 Garlic Cloves
7. In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge the beef chunks in the flour mixture until evenly coated.
   900 grams Diced Beef Chuck, ½ tsp Black Pepper, 30 grams All-Purpose Flour, 1 tsp Himalayan Salt
8. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef chunks in batches, then add straight to the slow cooker.

   Note: Browning is optional. Alternatively, place the coated beef straight into the slow cooker.
   2 tbsp Rice Bran Oil

Oven

1. Preheat the oven to 150°C, 300°F, Gas 2. Cover and cook for 1 ½ to 2 hours until the beef is tender.

Slow Cooking

1. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, potatoes, tomato puree, sugar, guinness, bay leaves, thyme, cocoa powder, and stock. Combine well.
   2 tbsp Tomato Puree, 500 ml Beef Stock, 500 ml Guinness Stout, 2 tsp Light Brown Sugar, 2 Bay Leaves, 1 tsp Dried Thyme, 2 tsp Cocoa Powder
2. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook for at least 6 hours.
3. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.
   Fresh Parsley

Notes

Here are some top tips to help you succeed in making Guinness Beef Stew like a pro:

1. Guinness Beef Stew pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or Irish soda bread for soaking up the delicious gravy. If you want to keep the stew low-carb, try our keto bread loaf; it’s perfect for mopping up excess sauce on your plate.
2. Fresh vegetables and herbs will contribute the best flavor to your stew. Avoid using wilted, frozen, or old vegetables, as they may affect the overall taste and texture of the dish.
3. Opt for flavorful cuts of beef, such as chuck or stewing beef. These cuts benefit from slow cooking and become tender and juicy as they simmer in the stew.
4. Browning is optional. For convenience, place the coated beef straight into the slow cooker. We have found no difference in taste and texture.
5. If possible, try using Guinness rather than other beers or stouts. It produces the best-flavored stew.
6. For best results, start slow cooking in the morning so that the stew is ready for dinner after a long day at work. If you’re short on time in the morning, you can prepare the stew the night before and refrigerate it overnight.
7. Refrigerating overnight will allow the flavors to marinate and make it easy to place the pot in the slow cooker in the morning. Switch it on and let it work its magic.
8. Allow the stew to rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and meld together, resulting in a more cohesive and delicious dish.

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FAQ’s & Troubleshooting

By addressing these FAQs and troubleshooting tips, you can overcome common challenges and create a delicious batch of Guinness Beef Stew every time.

Your Questions Matter

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant. If you don’t already follow us, head over to our Twitter or Facebook to keep up to date with all our new recipes and articles.

For food safety top tips, check out USDA.gov.

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Hey, I’m Sharon, I’m a full-time food blogger, mother of 3 grown adults and 3 huskies. Most days you can find me in the kitchen creating new recipes, I love cooking indulgent bakes and love sharing them. I am lucky to connect with and inspire people from all around the world and help you on your cooking journey so you can eat in style!

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