What could be better than an Irish Guinness beef stew?

This hearty Irish meal is sure to remind any Irish person of their home and childhoods. A hug-in-a-bowl Irish Guinness beef stew is just one example of the wonderful things you can cook up using the world-famous Irish stout. 

Guinness, Ireland's famous black stout, has been brewed in Dublin since 1759. It has a very special place in Irish life. In "Dublin Tenement Life: An Oral History", publican John O'Dwyer recalls the importance of stout in the lives of the poorest tenement dwellers in Dublin: "They had nothing. They lived for pints. Drink was the main diet. It was food... they used to call the pint the 'liquid food'."

Starchefs points out that Guinness "is a tasty addition to stews and casseroles, helping to tenderize the meat and imparting its distinctive malty flavor to any dish. This recipe makes a wonderful gusty stew which tastes even better a day or two after it is made."

Irish Guinness beef stew recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 pounds of beef stew meat, cubed
  • 3 cups Guinness
  • 2 potatoes, peeled and sliced
  • 2 potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Method:

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, garlic, salt, and pepper.

Cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent. This should take about five minutes.

Stir in the beef, beer, sliced potatoes, and quartered potatoes. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the beef is tender about 2 hours.

Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Source: allrecipes.com

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* Originally published in 2016. Updated Jan 2024.