Classic British Beef and Ale Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-08 · Updated 2026-05-08

Hearty beef stew slow-cooked with rich ale, root vegetables, and herbs for a comforting and flavorful British classic. This British-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 145 minutes, pairs stewing beef chunks, all-purpose flour, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 lbs stewing beef chunks
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 bottle (12 oz) brown ale
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 4 fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 2 tbsp parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, toss 2 lbs stewing beef chunks with 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches for 4 minutes per side until well caramelized. Remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: Add 1 large chopped onion, 3 sliced carrots, 2 sliced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Return the beef to the pot and pour in 3 cups beef broth and 12 oz brown ale. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 4 sprigs fresh thyme, and 2 bay leaves.
5. Step 5: Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 2 hours until beef is tender. Add 2 diced medium potatoes halfway through cooking.
6. Step 6: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped parsley before serving warm.