Slow-Cooked Beef and Guinness Meat Pie
A hearty beef meat pie slow-cooked in Guinness stout with rich gravy, encased in buttery shortcrust pastry — a comforting Aussie classic. This australian-inspired beef ready in about 180 minutes layers beef chuck, diced, olive oil, large onion, chopped into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. 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, diced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup Guinness stout
- 2 cups beef stock
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 sheet prepared shortcrust pastry
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs diced beef chuck in batches, browning all sides for about 5 minutes per batch; set browned beef aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large chopped onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 1/4 cup all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 2 minutes to cook the flour and form a roux.
- Step 4: Slowly pour in 1 cup Guinness stout while stirring, then add 2 cups beef stock, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp fresh thyme, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Step 5: Return the browned beef to the pot, bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 2 to 2.5 hours until the beef is tender and the sauce thickens.
- Step 6: Preheat oven to 400°F. Spoon the beef filling into a deep pie dish. Roll out 1 sheet of prepared shortcrust pastry and cover the pie dish, trimming excess edges.
- Step 7: Brush the pastry top with 1 beaten egg and cut a few slits to vent steam. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the pastry is golden and crisp.
- Step 8: Let the pie rest for 10 minutes before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef and Guinness Meat Pie take to make?
Total time is about 180 minutes (20 min prep + 160 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Beef and Guinness Meat Pie?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef and Guinness Meat Pie?
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 Slow-Cooked Beef and Guinness Meat Pie 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 Slow-Cooked Beef and Guinness Meat Pie?
Australian 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.
