Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew

Posted by: Authentic Flavors Made Easy

This Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender chunks of beef, hearty potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions simmered low and slow in a rich, savory broth infused with herbs. Perfect for chilly evenings or a satisfying family dinner.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours (Low) or 4–5 hours (High)
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6–8

Ingredients

• 2½ pounds (1.1 kg) beef chuck roast, cut into 1½-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 medium carrots, sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 1½ pounds (680 g) baby potatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups (960 ml) beef broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) stout beer (such as Guinness) or additional beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves

Optional Thickener

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Garnish

• Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, toss the beef with the flour, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Brown the beef in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, then transfer it to the slow cooker.
4. Add the onion and garlic to the same skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits.
5. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
6. Transfer the onion mixture to the slow cooker.
7. Add the carrots, celery, potatoes, beef broth, stout beer (or additional broth), Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
8. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4–5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
9. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
10. If a thicker stew is desired, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water. Stir it into the stew during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking on High until thickened.
11. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• Irish soda bread
• Buttered dinner rolls
• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Steamed green beans
• Roasted cabbage
• Fresh garden salad

Tips

• Browning the beef before slow cooking adds deeper flavor to the stew.
• Baby potatoes hold their shape well during long cooking times.
• For extra richness, use stout beer, but beef broth works just as well for an alcohol-free version.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.