Slow Cooker Irish Stew with Bacon and Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-01 · Updated 2026-04-01

A hearty, one-pot Irish stew with tender beef, smoky bacon, and slow-cooked root vegetables for a comforting meal. This Irish-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 505 minutes, pairs bacon, beef chuck, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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

• 6 slices bacon
• 1.5 lbs cubed beef chuck
• 2 large diced carrots
• 2 large diced potatoes
• 1 large diced onion
• 2 stalks diced celery
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place bacon on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes until crisp, then set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large Dutch oven, sear beef cubes over medium-high heat until browned on all sides (about 5 minutes), then set aside.
3. Step 3: Add onions, carrots, potatoes, and celery to the Dutch oven. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
4. Step 4: Pour in beef broth, red wine, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
5. Step 5: Transfer to a slow cooker. Add browned beef and cooked bacon. Cook on low for 8 hours until meat is tender and flavors meld.
6. Step 6: Stir in reserved bacon pieces before serving.