Name: Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 20 min
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large yellow onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 can (14.9 oz) Guinness stout; 4 cups beef broth; 4 large carrots, sliced into thick rounds; 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped; 2 stalks celery, chopped; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 2 bay leaves; Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

If you’re searching for the ultimate comfort dish to warm you from the inside out, it doesn’t get much better than this Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe. Tender chunks of beef, rich vegetables, and a broth that’s fragrant with herbs and deepened by the unmistakable malty flavor of Guinness come together in true Irish-inspired harmony. This stew is hearty, savory, and joyfully simple to prepare — just a few minutes’ effort and your slow cooker will do the rest. It’s the kind of meal that’ll make you crave rainy days and sweater weather, and it easily feeds a cozy crowd.

Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this stew lies in the thoughtful selection of simple ingredients, each one bringing color, texture, or bold flavor to the pot. You don’t need anything fancy to create that classic, soul-soothing depth you want from a beef stew — just these pantry and fridge staples:

Beef stew meat: Pick well-marbled chunks; they become meltingly tender as they simmer away.
All-purpose flour: Helps coat the beef for a better sear and naturally thickens the stew.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning each bite and drawing out the flavors in the meat and veggies.
Olive oil: Gives a golden crust to the beef and adds a boost of savory richness at the start.
Yellow onion: Adds a gentle sweetness and depth to the stew’s base.
Garlic: Just a few cloves make the savoriness pop in every spoonful.
Tomato paste: Provides acidity and a background note of umami that makes the broth irresistible.
Guinness stout: The star ingredient infusing the stew with its trademark malty, roasted flavor; don’t skip it!
Beef broth: Adds body and ensures a robustly meaty taste throughout the dish.
Carrots: Their sweetness pairs perfectly with the dark beer and tender beef.
Potatoes: Absorb the rich broth and make every bowl extra hearty and satisfying.
Celery: Freshens the overall profile while adding a bit of crunch, even after slow cooking.
Worcestershire sauce: Just a dash enhances the savory and umami elements.
Dried thyme: Brings a fragrant herbal note that plays beautifully with the beef and beer.
Bay leaves: Subtle but essential for building background flavor; don’t forget to fish them out before serving!
Fresh parsley: Adds color and a pop of freshness on top, just before serving.

How to Make Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

Step 1: Coat and Sear the Beef

Start by tossing your beef cubes with flour, salt, and pepper until each piece is lightly coated — this step not only seasons the meat, but also gives the stew a lovely, velvety texture. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high, then sear the beef in batches until well-browned on all sides. You want a good golden crust, as this is where so much flavor is built. Once browned, transfer the beef directly to your slow cooker.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics and Deglaze

After removing the beef, add the chopped onion and garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for a couple of minutes just until everything softens and becomes fragrant; then stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for about a minute. This helps caramelize the paste and deepen its flavor. Pour in a splash of Guinness to deglaze the pan, using your spoon to scrape up every delicious browned bit stuck to the skillet. All of that gets poured into the slow cooker, too — none of the flavor gets left behind!

Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients

Now it’s time to build the base of the stew. To your slow cooker, add the rest of the Guinness, beef broth, carrots, potatoes, celery, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and bay leaves. Give it all a good stir, ensuring everything is nicely combined and the vegetables are nestled in amongst the beef. These ingredients will create both the luscious sauce and the heartiness that make this Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe so iconic.

Step 4: Cook Low and Slow

Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 8 to 9 hours, or to high for about 4 to 5 hours if you’re in a hurry. Letting the stew cook gently for a long stretch is what transforms the beef into something truly tender, giving all the flavors time to meld and develop. When the time’s up, remove the bay leaves, taste, and adjust your seasoning if needed — often a little pinch more salt does the trick.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Your kitchen will smell divine and the stew itself should look beautifully rich and inviting. Ladle the stew into bowls, sprinkle each with plenty of fresh parsley, and get ready for the kind of comfort that only comes from a bowl of homemade stew. Don’t forget: crusty bread on the side for sopping up that luscious Guinness-kissed gravy is never a bad idea!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

Garnishes

This stew looks extra tempting with a generous shower of chopped fresh parsley right at the end. If you’re feeling fancy, a grind of black pepper or even a splash of good-quality olive oil can lift each bowl a little higher, making the flavors shine.

Side Dishes

The Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe is made for pairing with rustic sides. Think pillowy mashed potatoes, fluffy buttered noodles, or, most classically, thick slices of crusty Irish soda bread. The stew’s thick, savory gravy just begs for something to soak it up!

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve the stew ladled into hollowed-out bread bowls, letting each person break off the “walls” to dip as they go. Or try topping a pot pie crust over a ramekin of the stew and baking until golden. Both options turn an everyday meal into a special occasion, perfect for dinner parties or St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover stew tastes even better the next day! Let it cool, then transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to develop overnight, making each reheated bowl even richer and more satisfying.

Freezing

This stew freezes beautifully. Allow the stew to cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion. It keeps well for up to 3 months — perfect for prepping hearty, ready-to-go meals ahead of time.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm individual servings in the microwave or return larger batches to a saucepan and heat gently over medium-low, stirring occasionally until hot. If the stew seems a little thick after chilling, just add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up.

FAQs

Can I make the Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe with another type Main Course

Absolutely, though Guinness adds a wonderful depth, you can substitute any dark stout or porter for a similar flavor. Just know that each beer brings its own character, so the stew will have a slightly different (but still delicious) taste.

Is it possible to prepare this recipe without searing the beef first?

Yes, you can skip the searing step to save time, but browning the beef gives the stew more flavor and a richer color. If you’re in a rush, it will still work — just know you’re missing out on a little extra deliciousness!

Can I make the Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe gluten-free?

Definitely! Swap in your favorite gluten-free flour blend and make sure to use a certified gluten-free stout. There are some great options on the market that deliver a similar richness and malt flavor.

What cuts of beef work best?

Chuck roast is the top pick for this stew as it breaks down beautifully during slow cooking. You can also use bottom round or brisket, just be sure to cut it into even pieces for consistent tenderness.

How can I thicken my stew if I prefer it more robust?

If you like an extra-thick stew, stir a cornstarch slurry (one tablespoon cornstarch mixed with one tablespoon water) into the pot about 30 minutes before serving. It’ll create a beautifully velvety texture in every spoonful.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe is everything you want in a cold-weather comfort meal: hearty, flavorful, and unfussy. Invite some friends, open a bottle of Guinness, and dive in — this stew is the kind of recipe worth putting on repeat all season long!

Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 9 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the rich flavors of this Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew, a hearty and comforting Irish dish perfect for a cozy meal. Tender beef, stout beer, and savory vegetables come together in a deliciously satisfying stew.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Stew:

2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Stew Base:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can (14.9 oz) Guinness stout
4 cups beef broth
4 large carrots, sliced into thick rounds
3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Coat Beef: Toss beef cubes with flour, salt, and pepper. Brown in a skillet.
Sauté Aromatics: Sauté onion and garlic, add tomato paste and Guinness.
Combine Ingredients: Transfer mixture to slow cooker, add remaining ingredients.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
Serve: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning, and serve hot garnished with parsley.