Classic English Beef and Guinness Stew
Richly spiced stew with tender beef and Guinness beer, slow-cooked with root vegetables. This english-inspired slow cooker ready in about 160 minutes pairs pounds beef chuck, tablespoons olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 1.5 pounds beef chuck
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, diced carrots
- 2, diced potatoes
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup Guinness beer
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 pounds beef chuck and cook for 5 minutes until browned on all sides; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced potatoes, and 2 minced garlic cloves to the pot, cook for 2 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 1/4 cup all-purpose flour over vegetables, stir for 1 minute, then add 1 cup Guinness beer and 2 cups beef broth while stirring to prevent lumps.
- Step 4: Return beef to the pot, add 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 tablespoons tomato paste.
- Step 5: Simmer covered on low heat for 2 hours until beef is fork-tender, stirring occasionally.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic English Beef and Guinness Stew take to make?
Total time is about 160 minutes (20 min prep + 140 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 Classic English Beef and Guinness Stew?
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 pounds beef chuck from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic English Beef and Guinness Stew?
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 Classic English Beef and Guinness Stew 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 Classic English Beef and Guinness Stew?
English slow cooker 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made this for a family gathering—everyone asked for seconds. The slow cooker really let the flavors meld beautifully.
- ★★★★★
This stew was a perfect comfort food for a rainy Sunday! The Guinness depth was spot-on and my kids devoured it.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the rich flavor, but it was slightly bland for my taste. Would add extra thyme next time.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.