The Ultimate Irish Beef Stew Recipe for Cozy Nights

When the temperature drops and all you want is a warm, hearty meal that fills your belly and soothes your soul, nothing beats a classic Irish Beef Stew. This dish is the ultimate comfort food, packed with tender beef, earthy root vegetables, and a rich, savory broth that will make your kitchen smell absolutely divine. Whether you’re making it for a special St. Patrick’s Day feast or just a simple weeknight dinner, this stew is sure to become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Traditional Irish Beef Stew

• Rich and Hearty: Every spoonful is loaded with succulent beef, tender potatoes, and sweet carrots in a thick, flavorful broth.
• One-Pot Wonder: Fewer dishes, more flavor! This stew is made in one pot, making cleanup a breeze.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: The flavors get even better the next day, making this an ideal dish to make ahead of time.
• A True Taste of Ireland: If you’re craving authentic Irish flavors, this dish delivers!

Essential Ingredients for the Best Irish Beef Stew

If you’re a fan of rich, beefy flavors, you might also love this Chili Recipe with Enchilada Sauce and Ground Beef for a spicy twist on comfort food!

This hearty stew includes:

• Beef chuck
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Parsnips
• Tomato paste
• Beef broth
• Guinness stout (or another dark beer)
• Worcestershire sauce
• Thyme
• Bay leaf
• Frozen peas (optional)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

You’ll find the full list of ingredient measurements in the recipe card below. You can also print the recipe for easy reference!

How to Make Traditional Irish Beef Stew

1: Brown the Beef

1. In a large bowl, toss the beef cubes with the flour, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
3. Working in batches, brown the beef on all sides, then transfer to a plate. This step adds deep, rich flavor to the stew!

2: Build the Flavor Base

4. In the same pot, add the chopped onions and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
5. Stir in the garlic, carrots, potatoes, and parsnips, and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
6. Add the tomato paste and stir well to coat the veggies.

3: Simmer the Stew

7. Pour in the beef broth, Guinness, and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
8. Return the browned beef to the pot, then add the thyme and bay leaf.
9. Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Let it cook for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

4: Final Touches

10. After 2 hours, check the beef, it should be fork-tender. If not, let it simmer for another 30 minutes.
11. Stir in the frozen peas (if using) and let them cook for about 5 minutes.
12. Remove the bay leaf, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot!

Expert Tips for an Authentic Irish Beef Stew

• Use Guinness: It adds a deep, malty richness to the stew, but if you don’t have it, you can substitute with more beef broth.
• Don’t Rush the Simmering: Low and slow cooking ensures melt-in-your-mouth beef and a deeply flavorful broth.
• Make It a Day Ahead: Like many stews, this one tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld.
• Serve It Right: Pair this stew with warm, crusty bread or traditional Irish soda bread to soak up the delicious broth.

FAQs About Irish Beef Stew

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Brown the beef and sauté the onions as instructed, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes! Let the stew cool completely, then store it in airtight containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes! Simply omit the flour or use a gluten-free alternative, and make sure to use a gluten-free beer or replace it with additional beef broth.

Irish Beef Stew

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• Author: Chef Maria
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

A rich and hearty Irish Beef Stew with tender beef, root vegetables, and a flavorful Guinness broth, perfect for cozy nights!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Stew:

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3 potatoes, cut into chunks
• 3 parsnips, peeled and chopped (optional but highly recommended!)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 1/2 cups Guinness stout (or another dark beer)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup frozen peas (optional, for added color and sweetness)
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef for a Richer Flavor

1. In a large bowl, toss the beef cubes with the flour, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
3. Working in batches, brown the beef on all sides, then transfer to a plate. This step adds deep, rich flavor to the stew!

Step 2: Build the Flavorful Stew Base

4. In the same pot, add the chopped onions and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
5. Stir in the garlic, carrots, potatoes, and parsnips, and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
6. Add the tomato paste and stir well to coat the veggies.

Step 3: Simmer the Irish Guinness Beef Stew

7. Pour in the beef broth, Guinness, and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
8. Return the browned beef to the pot, then add the thyme and bay leaf.
9. Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Let it cook for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Finishing Touches for the Best Irish Stew

10. After 2 hours, check the beef—it should be fork-tender. If not, let it simmer for another 30 minutes.
11. Stir in the frozen peas (if using) and let them cook for about 5 minutes.
12. Remove the bay leaf, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot!

Notes

• Use Guinness for a deeper flavor, or replace it with beef broth.
• The stew tastes even better the next day.
• Pair with Irish soda bread for the ultimate experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop, Slow Cook
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 38g
• Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: Irish Beef Stew, Guinness Beef Stew, Traditional Irish Stew, Hearty Beef Stew, Comfort Food

This Irish Beef Stew is pure comfort in a bowl, perfect for chilly nights or any time you want a taste of Ireland at home. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday celebration or a cozy weeknight meal, this hearty stew will warm you up from the inside out. So grab a bowl, pour yourself a pint of Guinness, and enjoy!