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.
Equipment for this recipe
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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.
