How to make Irish Stew?
First, pat the beef chunks dry with a paper towel. Then, dust the beef with the flour that has been seasoned with salt and pepper. Heat a little oil in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown the beef. Plate the beef and cook the onions until they are soft and fragrant. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, rosemary, and black pepper, cooking for about 1 minute while stirring constantly. Then, add the Guinness beer and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze it. Add the Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, tomato paste, and bay leaves.
Cover and simmer on low for about 90 minutes stirring several times to keep anything from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pot. Add the carrots, potatoes, and thyme. Cover and simmer on low for about 45 minutes or until the carrots and potatoes are soft and the beef is tender. If the mixture becomes too thick, add a little more beef broth or water.
Recipe Tips
- Beef chuck roast is the least expensive and best cut of beef for this recipe, but you could also use petite shoulder, tenderloin, or beef stew meat. In Ireland, they generally use lamb or mutton.
- Trim the chuck cutting against the grain (if possible) into bite-size cubes. Avoid large portions of fat and cartilage.
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves can be substituted for the fresh springs.
- Choose a good quality stout that you love the flavor of and is complementary to the dish. I typically go with an oatmeal stout, coffee stout, or Guinness beer.
- Slow simmer covered on low, adding more broth when necessary and stirring frequently.
- For aesthetic purposes, peel your carrots so they are that gorgeous bright orange color.
- Other vegetables to add include cabbage, leeks, or mushrooms.
- Do not forget to remove the bay leaves, as they have sharp edges and could pose a choking hazard.
- Serve over noodles, biscuits or with a crusty baguette for sopping up the delicious gravy.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
To freeze, cool to room temperature. Spoon the stew into an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
Irish Stew
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 3 lb. beef chuck roast trimmed and cut in bite size pieces
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 large sweet onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed rosemary
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 cups Guinness beer
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 ½ – 3 cups beef broth
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 carrots peeled and cut in chunks
- 3 russet potatoes peeled and chunked
- 4 sprigs thyme or chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
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In large zipper bag add flour, salt and black pepper. Add the chuck roast and shake to coat.
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Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large Dutch oven or heavy stockpot over medium heat. Working in batches brown the beef. Add oil when needed and scrape the bottom of the pot. Plate the beef as you go.
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Add 1 tablespoon oil and cook the onions until soft and fragrant. Reduce heat to low. Add the garlic, rosemary, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Add the stout beer and stir scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze it. Add the Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, tomato paste, bay leaves and browned beef (that you plated). Cover and simmer on low for 80-90 minutes stirring several times to keep anything from burning or sticking to the bottom.
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Add the carrots, potatoes and thyme. Cover and simmer on low for 40-45 minutes or until the carrots and potatoes are soft and beef is tender. If the mixture becomes too thick add a little more beef broth or water. Remove the bay leaves prior to serving. Garnish with thyme or parsley.
Notes
- Chuck roast is the least expensive and best cut of beef for this recipe but you could also use petite shoulder, tenderloin, or stew meat. Besides beef you can also use lamb or mutton.
- Trim the chuck cutting against the grain (if possible) into bite size cubes. Avoid large portions of fat and cartilage.
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves can be substituted for the fresh springs.
- Choose a good quality stout that you love the flavor of is complementary to the dish. I typically go with an oatmeal stout or a coffee stout.
- Slow simmer covered on low adding more broth when necessary and stirring frequently.
- For aesthetic purposes peel your carrots so they are that gorgeous bright orange color.
- Do not forget to remove the bay leaves as they have sharp edges and could pose a choking hazard.
- Serve over noodles, biscuits or with a crusty baguette for sopping up the delicious gravy.
