Irish-Style Braised Beef with Guinness and Root Vegetables
Slow-braised beef chunks simmered in rich Guinness stout with hearty root vegetables for a comforting, tender stew. This irish-inspired beef ready in about 200 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes, salt, black pepper 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 2-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large (about 1 1/2 cups) yellow onion, chopped
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 medium parsnips, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 12 oz Guinness stout
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 2 lbs beef chuck cubes with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then toss in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour to coat evenly.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply caramelized, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 large chopped yellow onion, 3 sliced carrots, 2 sliced parsnips, and 2 chopped celery stalks. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 5: Pour in 12 oz Guinness stout and 2 cups beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits.
- Step 6: Return the browned beef to the pot along with 3 sprigs fresh thyme and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to a preheated 325°F oven.
- Step 7: Braise the stew for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the beef is fork-tender and the sauce is thickened.
- Step 8: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves before serving. Adjust seasoning if needed and serve the stew hot with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Irish-Style Braised Beef with Guinness and Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Irish-Style Braised Beef with Guinness and 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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Irish-Style Braised Beef with Guinness and 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 Irish-Style Braised Beef with Guinness and 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 Irish-Style Braised Beef with Guinness and 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.
Equipment for this recipe
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