Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew

Guinness Beef Stew made in your slow cooker is probably the most comforting and richest beef stew you’re ever going to make. The addition of the beef base, the rich, dark, Guinness beer… This is a stew for a day of curling up on the couch under a blanket.

I don’t usually cook with beer, but in the slow cooker I am a huge fan of it like with myUltimate Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches and more notably one of my favorite recipes, theSlow Cooker Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches. I find it is a quick and easy way to add a great depth of flavor and a very unique savory flavor.

Can you make this dish without the Guinness? Yes, but I’d prefer to direct you to last week’sUltimate Slow Cooker Beef Stewbecause I feel like you’ve got the directions and the balance in flavors already.

You certainly don’t have to use Guinness, even with the glamour pour shot below this post is not sponsored by them. I just find they are the easiest stout beer to find in markets and convenience stores. Another good stout beer I love is a company from my hometown called Strand Brewing Company.

Tips for making this Crock Pot Guinness Beef Stew:

• Just like with the Ultimate Beef Stew, brown your beef! I used a chuck roast, seared it well on both sides, then trimmed and cut it into 2-3 inch chunks.
• Use Yukon Potatoes! They’re buttery and rich and won’t fall apart after a long day of cooking.
• I browned the beef in my cast iron skillet and got a GOOD crust on both sides with plenty of kosher salt and black pepper. If you have a slow cooker with an aluminum insert I highly suggest browning it in the insert and saving all the browned flavor that stays in the pan for your stew.
• If not using a base use beef stock instead of broth and its even more important to get a good sear on the meat, then deglaze the pan with the stock to make sure all the beef flavor comes with it.
• Instead of crushed or diced tomatoes I use tomato paste. This will minimize liquids and add a bold flavor.
• In a stew you aren’t looking for the consistency to be that of a soup, so minimizing added liquids is helpful. If using canned tomatoes instead of paste drain the can.

Want to make this Guinness Beef Stew in the oven?

Brown the beef in a large dutch oven before cubing (you can also cube before browning if you prefer. Then add in the ingredients, mix well and cook in a 325 degree oven for 3 hours.

Tools Used in making this Slow Guinness Beef Stew:
Slow Cooker: Love this slow cooker and how programmable it is, it has been a workhorse for me… until…
My New Slow Cooker:This recipe was made in this slow cooker. I brown the meat in the insert without losing a bunch of the flavor by transferring the meat and leaving the browned bits behind. If you’re thinking of a new slow cooker, consider it if your budget is open.
Cast Iron Skillet: If you don’t have a slow cooker with a stovetop friendly insert, this is my most used pan in my kitchen, heavy, keeps heat well and gives the BEST sear ever.
Pig Tail Flipper: I use this to flip the chuck roast easily. I use this tool EVERY time I cook something that requires flipping, it is amazing.
Beef Base: I almost never buy boxes of broth because I keep the beef, chicken and vegetable version of this Better Than Bouillon.

Yield: 8 servings

Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew

Prep:20 minutes

Cook:8 hours

Total Time:8 hours 20 minutes

Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew with creamy Yukon potatoes, bacon, carrots and a rich tomato beef gravy, this is the perfect winter stew!

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces bacon, cut into small pieces
• 3 pounds chuck roast
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
• 12 ounces pearl onions, peeled
• 5 medium Yukon potatoes, cut into 2 inch chunks
• 5 carrots, peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks
• 2 stalks celery, minced
• 4 cups beef broth*
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 12 ounce bottle Guinness Extra Stout
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
• 2 tablespoons flour

Directions:

1. Preheat an aluminum slow cooker insert or cast iron skillet on high heat.
2. Cook the bacon until crisp, then remove.
3. Season the beef with half the salt and the pepper.
4. Add to the skillet and brown on each side for 4-6 minutes or until deeply browned on each side.
5. Into the slow cooker add the pearl onions, potatoes, carrots, celery, half the bacon, broth*, garlic, beer, second half of the salt, tomato paste, thyme, and sugar.
6. Cut the beef into 2 inch chunks and add it to the slow cooker.
7. Stir all the ingredients until well mixed and cook on low for 7 hours.
8. In a small bowl mix the butter and flour and add it to the slow cooker and stir.
9. Cook an additional hour or until thickened.
10. Just before serving add in the remaining bacon and stir.

• *Alternately use a big scoop of Beef Better than Bouillon like I did in addition to water/stock. The extra beef flavor is fantastic.

Nutrition Information

Yield: 8 servings, Serving Size: 1/8th recipe

• Amount Per Serving:
• Calories: 253 Calories