Beef And Guinness Stew

Name: Hearty Beef Guinness Stew
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 180 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 slices bacon, cut into wee chunks.; 2 and a half pound of boneless beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes.; Salt, about 1 and a half teaspoons, split, or more based on your palate.; Freshly cracked black pepper, just to taste, folks.; 2 onions, chopped as you like 'em.; 4 cloves garlic, minced for that flavor punch.; 1 can dark beer, and make it a good one like Guinness about 14.9 ounces.; 1/4 cup of tomato paste to thicken things up.; 3 carrots, chopped into big old 1-inch pieces.; A couple stalks of celery, chop 'em into 1-inch pieces too.; 4 sprigs of fresh thyme for that herby goodness.; 1 teaspoon white sugar, just a teaspoon, okay.; Freshly ground black pepper, about a 1/2 teaspoon or to your taste.; And enough chicken stock to drown all that beef, say, 2 and a half cups.

Traditional Irish Beef and Guinness Stew in cast-iron pot, with vegetables and a pint of Guinness, in a rustic kitchen. — Traditional irish beef and guinness stew in cast-iron pot, with vegetables and a pint of guinness, in a rustic kitchen. | Kallaxa.com

Ladle up some love with this Beef and Guinness Stew, a tasty tribute to Irish cuisine that's a hug in a bowl.

The Magic Of Beef And Guinness Stew#

Let me tell you, folks, the magic of a Beef and Guinness Stew is no joke. This dish is like a hug from the inside out, and on a chilly evening, it beats any highfalutin'' gourmet meal hands down. So, what''s the secret sauce to this culinary wizardry? Well, it''s the time-honored combo of beef that''s been browned to perfection, veggies that have seen better days but are perfect for stewing, and that rich, malty Guinness that transforms the whole shebang into a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow 🌈.

Why Guinness Is Stew''s Best Pal#

Ever wonder why a stout like Guinness makes beef stew taste like it’s straight out of Saint Paddy’s Day parade? It’s the alchemy of hops, roasted barley, and that smooth finish that infuses the stew with a depth of flavor that''s as complex as a leprechaun’s life story. Let''s not forget, it''s the Irish touch that turns a regular stew into a ceilidh in your mouth 🍺.

Gathering Your Stew Troops#

Ingredients to Rally

Before we dive into the pot, let’s gather our troops. Preparing your ingredients ahead of time is the mark of a seasoned (pun intended) kitchen general. Here’s who you’ll be enlisting:

Quality beef chuck, because your stew deserves the best.
Fresh carrots, potatoes, and onions, the root veggie dream team.
That all-important bottle of Guinness, don''t skimp on this one.
Herbs like thyme and bay leaves, for that fragrant whiff of Ireland.

With your ingredients lined up, you’re ready to battle the hunger with a stew that’s sure to win hearts and bellies.

The Art Of Stew Preparation#

Sealing in the Flavor

It''s showtime, and here’s where the rubber meets the road, or should I say, the beef meets the heat. Browning your beef is non-negotiable, folks. It''s not just about getting those chunks Instagram-ready; it''s about building a flavor foundation that''s rock solid.

The Low and Slow Tango

After our beef is bronzed to a T, we throw in the veggies and let them get acquainted with the heat. Next, in goes the Guinness and the slow dance begins. A stew’s gotta simmer to reach its full potential. You can''t rush art, and you certainly can''t rush a stew. This is a low and slow tango that''ll last a couple of hours, so grab a book, or better yet, another Guinness 🍲.

Serving Up Stew Perfection#

Timing Is Everything

Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to stew. You’ll know it''s time when the aroma has convinced your neighbors to come knocking. The beef should be tender enough to surrender at the mere sight of a fork. That’s when you know you’ve nailed it.

The Garnish Game

A sprinkle of parsley and a good loaf of crusty bread, and you''ve got yourself a stew that''s ready to conquer the coldest of hearts. Dish it out generously, my friends, because this stew is meant to be shared 🥘.

Beef And Guinness Stew Variations#

Now, for the adventurous souls who dare to tweak perfection, there are variations. You can mix up the veggies, throw in some mushrooms, or even (hold onto your hats) use lamb instead of beef. But remember, at your own risk. Some traditions are best left untouched, and in my humble yet controversial opinion, the classic Beef and Guinness Stew is one of them 🍀.

Cherished Memories And Stew Traditions#

As a wrap, let’s talk heart to heart. Making this stew isn''t just about the eating; it’s about the memories. Every time I make this stew, I''m transported back to my mom’s kitchen, where the windows would fog up from the simmering pots, and laughter was the best spice. So, as you ladle out this liquid embrace, remember to make some memories of your own. And hey, thanks for hanging out in my virtual kitchen. Until next time, keep the stew brewing and the stories stewing!

About Recipe

Recipe By: Ella Savory

Category: Beef

Last Updated: 2024-02-02

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Cook Time: 150 Minutes

Total Time: 180 Minutes

Yield: 6 Servings

Next: Classic French Beef Stew

Previuos: Homestyle Hearty Beef Comfort

Hearty Beef Guinness Stew Ingredients

01 4 slices bacon, cut into wee chunks.

02 2 and a half pound of boneless beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes.

03 Salt, about 1 and a half teaspoons, split, or more based on your palate.

04 Freshly cracked black pepper, just to taste, folks.

05 2 onions, chopped as you like 'em.

06 4 cloves garlic, minced for that flavor punch.

07 1 can dark beer, and make it a good one like Guinness about 14.9 ounces.

08 1/4 cup of tomato paste to thicken things up.

09 3 carrots, chopped into big old 1-inch pieces.

10 A couple stalks of celery, chop 'em into 1-inch pieces too.

11 4 sprigs of fresh thyme for that herby goodness.

12 1 teaspoon white sugar, just a teaspoon, okay.

13 Freshly ground black pepper, about a 1/2 teaspoon or to your taste.

14 And enough chicken stock to drown all that beef, say, 2 and a half cups.

Hearty Beef Guinness Stew Step By Step

Step 01

Brown that bacon in a skillet over a good medium-high heat until crisp, roughly 3 to 4 minutes. After your kitchen smells like heaven, transfer the bacon to a stew pot, but leave the fat behind, we need that liquid gold.

Step 02

Season the beef with a teaspoon of salt and pepper. Crank up the heat and sear those beef cubes in the bacon fat till they're nice and brown, takes about 5 minutes. Toss them in the pot with the bacon but keep the skillet fatty and happy.

Step 03

Lower the flame to medium and throw the onions in the skillet, cook 'em till they're golden, about 5 to 8 minutes. Don't forget a pinch of salt. Add the garlic and wait till it gets aromatic, that's a minute tops. Then splash in the beer and stir to get all those tasty brown bits.

Step 04

Move the beer mix to the stew pot. Slide in tomato paste, carrots, celery, thyme, sugar, and pepper. Pour in enough chicken stock to cover the crew. Let it gently simmer with a lid on, really low heat, till that beef is tender, like two hours. Skim any nonsense off the top if you feel like it.

Step 05

Lift the lid and bring the heat up so it bubbles gently, cooking down to thicken for 15 to 20 minutes. Fish out the thyme, nobody wants to chomp on that. Do a final season to taste. Serve it up over mashed potatoes, that's if you're feeling extra fancy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Calories: 528
Total Fat: ~
Total Carbohydrate: ~
Protein: ~

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