Slow Cooker Irish Stew with Bacon and Root Vegetables
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 ready in about 505 minutes pairs bacon, cubed beef chuck, large diced 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 3: Add onions, carrots, potatoes, and celery to the Dutch oven. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 4: Pour in beef broth, red wine, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- 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.
- Step 6: Stir in reserved bacon pieces before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Irish Stew with Bacon and Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 505 minutes (25 min prep + 480 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 Slow Cooker Irish Stew with Bacon 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 bacon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Irish Stew with Bacon 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 Slow Cooker Irish Stew with Bacon 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 Slow Cooker Irish Stew with Bacon and Root Vegetables?
Irish 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
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
