Beef and Guinness Slow Cooker Stew with Root Vegetables
A comforting slow cooker stew simmered with tender beef, hearty root vegetables, and rich Guinness stout for deep, robust flavor. This irish-inspired beef ready in about 500 minutes pairs tablespoons olive oil, large, chopped yellow onion, medium, peeled and chopped carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds stew beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large, chopped yellow onion
- 3 medium, peeled and chopped carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and chopped parsnips
- 2, chopped celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 12 ounces Guinness stout beer
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss 2 pounds beef chuck cubes in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour seasoned lightly with salt and pepper. Brown beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden, then transfer to slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large chopped yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 chopped carrots, 2 chopped parsnips, and 2 chopped celery stalks. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Step 3: Transfer the vegetables to the slow cooker with the beef. Pour in 12 ounces Guinness stout beer, 2 cups beef broth, and 2 tablespoons tomato paste. Add 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until beef is tender and sauce thickens. Remove bay leaf before serving.
- Step 5: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and serve hot with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Beef and Guinness Slow Cooker Stew with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Beef and Guinness Slow Cooker Stew with Root Vegetables?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Beef and Guinness Slow Cooker Stew with Root Vegetables?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Beef and Guinness Slow Cooker Stew with Root Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Beef and Guinness Slow Cooker Stew with Root Vegetables?
Irish beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
