Half-Pint Guinness Beef Stew
A rich and hearty Irish-inspired beef stew simmered with Guinness beer, carrots, and potatoes for a comforting meal. This irish-inspired beef ready in about 120 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, ¼ cup 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 beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large, chopped onion
- 3 medium, sliced into ½-inch pieces carrots
- 2, chopped celery stalks
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- ½ pint (8 fl oz) Guinness beer
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 medium, peeled and diced potatoes
- 2 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, toss 2 lbs beef chuck cubes with ¼ cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches and brown on all sides for about 5 minutes per batch, then set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 large chopped onion, 3 sliced carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute more.
- Step 5: Pour in ½ pint (8 fl oz) Guinness beer, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits. Let it simmer for 3 minutes.
- Step 6: Return the beef to the pot, then add 2 cups beef broth, 3 diced potatoes, 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme, and 1 bay leaf.
- Step 7: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1½ hours until beef is tender and stew thickened.
- Step 8: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Pint Guinness Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 120 minutes (20 min prep + 100 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 Half-Pint Guinness Beef 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 ¼ cup all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Pint Guinness Beef 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 Half-Pint Guinness Beef 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 Half-Pint Guinness Beef Stew?
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.
